Compare the2025 Lexus GXVS 2025 Buick Enclave

The Lexus GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the Enclave.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GX Overland’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the GX and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Lexus GX weighs 852 to 1173 pounds more than the Buick Enclave. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The GX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Enclave’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GX’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Enclave runs out after 100,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 12th.

The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 21 more horsepower (349 vs. 328) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 326) than the Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus GX is faster than the Buick Enclave:

The GX has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus GX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Enclave.

For better stopping power the GX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

The GX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Enclave are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the GX has larger tires than the Enclave (265/55R20 vs. 255/55R20).

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Enclave; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Enclave doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For greater off-road capability the GX Premium has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.7 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the Enclave (9.8 vs. 6.8 inches).

The GX is 10.5 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the GX. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Enclave’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (9063 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is only 5000 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the GX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 10% lower rating, Buick is ranked third.

The GX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the GX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Enclave can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Enclave doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Lexus GX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Buick charges extra for Homelink® on the Enclave.