Compare the2023 Buick EnvisionVS 2023 Acura RDX

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 RDX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Envision offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Envision and the RDX 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 Acura RDX:

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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Envision is safer than the Acura RDX:

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

The Envision’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RDX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 7 times as many Buick dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 21st, below the industry 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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 97 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 28th.

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

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The RDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Envision’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

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 RDX are solid, not vented.

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 RDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envision’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the RDX (109.4 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Envision’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the RDX’s (38 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

The Envision is 4.9 inches shorter than the RDX, making the Envision easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Envision has .1 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the RDX.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Envision uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RDX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 1% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Envision Essence/Avenir offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 RDX.

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 RDX 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 RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Envision will be $5965 to $8455 less than for the Acura RDX.

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

The Buick Envision outsold the Acura RDX by 1122 units during 2022.