Compare the2023 Buick EnvisionVS 2022 Volvo XC40

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Envision and the XC40 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 Volvo XC40:

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 Volvo XC40:

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

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Envision 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Buick dealers as there are Volvo 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 31 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 109 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick fourth in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

The Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (228 vs. 187) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the XC40 T4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Envision’s fuel efficiency. The XC40 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Envision and the XC40 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. A disable switch costs extra on the XC40.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The XC40 requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Envision FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (15.9 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Envision AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (16.1 vs. 14.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envision higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the Envision produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 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 XC40.

The Envision’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The Envision stops shorter than the XC40:

The Envision offers an available continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envision’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the XC40 (109.4 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The Envision uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XC40 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envision has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (100.4 vs. 98).

The Envision has .6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (25.2 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

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 XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The Envision Essence/Avenir’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Envision (except Preferred) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Envision has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Envision Avenir keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 XC40.

The Envision Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XC40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 XC40 R-Design/Inscription’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Envision and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Buick Envision outsold the Volvo XC40 by 51% during the 2021 model year.