Compare the2023 GMC TerrainVS 2023 Buick Envision

Both the Terrain and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Terrain is safer than the Buick Envision:

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 GMC Terrain 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 all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Terrain the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 221 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain third among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Envision isn’t in the top three.

On the EPA test cycle the Terrain AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Envision AWD (24 city/28 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

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

The Terrain has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Envision doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Terrain w/17” wheels’ turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Envision’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Buick Envision.

The front grille of the Terrain offers available 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 Terrain has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envision (103.2 vs. 100.4).

The Terrain has .4 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom and 4.4 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

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

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Terrain’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Envision does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Terrain owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Terrain will cost $230 less than the Envision over a five-year period.

The Terrain will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Terrain will retain 48.41% to 52.67% of its original price after five years, while the Envision only retains 43.87% to 43.96%.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Buick Envision by 51% during the 2021 model year.