Compare the2023 Buick EnvisionVS 2022 Lexus NX

Both the Envision and the NX 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.

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 20 points higher than the NX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envision third among compact suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The NX isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

The Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (228 vs. 203) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Envision AWD gets better fuel mileage than the NX 350 F Sport running its gasoline engine (22 city/29 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

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

Both the Envision and the NX 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. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The NX 350 requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Envision FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Envision AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (16.1 vs. 14.5 gallons).

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 NX 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 NX (6 to 7). This means the Envision produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX 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 NX.

For better traction, the Envision’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (245/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Envision’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The Envision has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 NX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envision’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the NX (109.4 inches vs. 105.9 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 NX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envision has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (25.2 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

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

The power windows standard on both the Envision and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Envision is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 NX.

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 NX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $505 less than the NX over a five-year period.

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