Compare the2024 Mazda CX-50VS 2023 Buick Envision

The Mazda CX-50 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Envision doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Envision.

Both the CX-50 and Envision have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 CX-50’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-50 and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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.

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-50 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 54 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The CX-50’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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-50’s reliability 16 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.

The CX-50’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.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Envision:

The CX-50 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 CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Envision:

The CX-50 has 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Envision (110.8 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Envision.

For better maneuverability, the CX-50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Envision’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

The CX-50 has 1.3 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 4.7 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is only 1500 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50’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-50’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-50’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Envision’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The CX-50 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Envision.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-50 and the Buick Envision, based on reliability, safety and performance.