Compare the2024 Kia SportageVS 2023 Buick Envision

Both the Sportage and Envision have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Envision’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Sportage’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 Sportage and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 58 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Envision’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Envision. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Envision ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Buick.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Envision requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 51.4 cents more per gallon.

The Sportage has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Envision. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

The Sportage has vehicle 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.

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the Buick Envision.

The front grille of the Sportage uses 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 Sportage has 1 inch more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear legroom and 6 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

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

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (2500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Envision doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Kia Sportage outsold the Buick Envision by almost five to one during 2022.