Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2023 Buick Envision

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Envision doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Lexus RX 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.

The RX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Envision doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the RX and Envision have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RX offers optional Parking Support Brake (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 RX’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 RX and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

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 RX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 50 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The RX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-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 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Envision. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Envision ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RX’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Envision runs out after 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 RX’s reliability 16 points higher than the Envision.

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

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 18 more horsepower (246 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (304 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 138 more horsepower (366 vs. 228) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Envision:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Envision can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the RX 350h/500h/450+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons). The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.8 vs. 16.1 gallons).

The RX has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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.

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Envision. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Envision.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Envision (112.2 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Envision.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Envision’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The RX has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 8.6 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

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

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RX. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is limited to 1500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Buick is ranked fifth.

The RX’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.

The RX’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.

If the windows are left open on the RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Envision can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Envision doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Envision doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX 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.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Envision Avenir’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Envision isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Buick Envision by almost four to one during 2022.