Compare the2022 Toyota VenzaVS 2022 Buick Envision

The Venza 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 Envision 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Venza XLE/Limited has standard Rear Automated Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Envision doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Venza. But it costs extra on the Envision.

The Venza’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 Venza and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Venza is safer than the Buick Envision:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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, its standard 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 Venza the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 137 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The Venza’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Venza for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Envision.

The battery on the Venza is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Venza’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Envision’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Buick is ranked fourth.

On the EPA test cycle the Venza gets better mileage than the Envision:

Regenerative brakes improve the Venza’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

The Venza has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Venza LE’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Envision’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The Venza XLE/Limited’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Envision’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The front grille of the Venza uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Envision doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Venza has .5 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

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

The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (28.8 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

An available locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Venza. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Venza’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 Envision’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Venza 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 Toyota service department.) The driver of the Envision can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Venza 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.

Consumer Reports rated the Venza’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Envision’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Venza has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Envision.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Envision Avenir offers wireless charging.

The Venza will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Venza will retain 56.16% to 56.27% of its original price after five years, while the Envision only retains 43.09% to 43.62%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Venza will be $6942 to $10363 less than for the Buick Envision.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Venza as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.