Compare the2024 Buick EnvisionVS 2024 Lexus RX

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Envision has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the RX.

Both the Envision and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 front parking sensors.

There are over 8 times as many Buick dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 10th.

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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Buick Envision is faster than the Lexus RX:

On the EPA test cycle the Envision gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD running its gasoline engine (22 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/28 hwy).

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

Both the Envision and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Envisions have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

The Envision has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Envision has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Envision, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

The Envision stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (245/45R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

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 RX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Buick Envision may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Envision is 9.8 inches shorter than the RX, making the Envision easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Envision uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Envision uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envision has .1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The Envision has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The Envision’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Envision Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Envision has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $715 to $4270 less than the RX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Envision will be $10094 to $11282 less than for the Lexus RX.

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