Compare the2023 Buick EnvisionVS 2022 Lexus RX

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Envision are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Envision and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and 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 Buick Envision is safer than the Lexus RX:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Envision is safer than the Lexus RX:

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

There are over 8 times as many Buick dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Envision’s reliability 14 points higher than the RX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Envision’s fuel efficiency. The RX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Envision and the RX 450h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Envisions have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The RX 450h requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Envision has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envision higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus RX (5 to 7). This means the Envision produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RX every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Envision, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

For better traction, the Envision’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (245/45R20 vs. 235/65R18).

The Envision’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 65 series tires. The Envision’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

The Envision’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The RX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Envision’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the RX’s (38 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Buick Envision may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 800 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Envision is 10 inches shorter than the RX, making the Envision easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Envision uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envision has .2 inches more front headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (25.2 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The Envision’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Envision, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RX.

The Envision Avenir offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RX.

The Envision Avenir’s Enhanced Automatic Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $845 to $4720 less than the RX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Envision will be $2167 to $3208 less than for the Lexus RX.