Compare the2022 Kia SportageVS 2021 Buick Envision

The Sportage’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Envision doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sportage and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 119 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Envision’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Envision. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Envision ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage second among compact suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Envision isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 7th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fifth.

The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (237 vs. 228) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (240 vs. 228) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Envision requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Sportage SX Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Envision:

For better maneuverability, the Sportage’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Envision’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Buick Envision.

The Sportage is 6.1 inches shorter than the Envision, making the Sportage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sportage has 1.1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 3.8 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (30.7 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (60.1 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Sportage has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Envision doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Envision doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Kia Sportage has won recognition from these important consumer publications: