Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Buick Envision

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Envision doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Envision.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’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 CX-5 and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Buick Envision:

	CX-5	Envision
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	175
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	25 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	153/386 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	223
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches

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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Buick Envision:

	CX-5	Envision
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	128
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	139 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	261 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	311
Hip Force	524 lbs.	572 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	36 G’s

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The CX-5’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

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 CX-5’s reliability 17 points higher than the Envision.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

Engine

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (256 vs. 228) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Envision AWD (24 city/30 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

Suspension and Handling

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Envision doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Envision’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envision (103.6 vs. 100.4).

The CX-5 has .1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and 7.9 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Ergonomics

The CX-5’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.

The CX-5 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.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Envision’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Envision’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Economic Advantages

The CX-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 50.99% to 51.37% of its original price after five years, while the Envision only retains 43.87% to 43.96%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $2552 to $6418 less than for the Buick Envision.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Buick Envision, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Buick Envision by almost six to one during 2022.

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