Compare the2024 Buick EnvisionVS 2023 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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

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

Both the Envision and Acadia have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Envision has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Acadia’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Envision and the Acadia 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 front parking sensors.

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 GMC Acadia:

	Envision	Acadia
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	175	285
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	29 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	223	319
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	23.1%	43%
Neck Stress	111 lbs.	203 lbs.
Neck Compression	61 lbs.	99 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	221/21 lbs.	210/60 lbs.

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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Envision is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	Envision	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	139 lbs.	156 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	572 lbs.	799 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	249	381
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	313 lbs.	760 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 17 percent more Buick dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

Reliability

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 GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 6th.

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 GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 12 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Envision
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envision higher (7 out of 10) than the GMC Acadia (6 to 7). This means the Envision produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Acadia every 15,000 miles.

Tires and Wheels

The Envision Preferred’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia SLE/SLT’s standard 65 series tires. The Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Envision Preferred has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

Suspension and Handling

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 Acadia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Envision’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Acadia’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The Buick Envision may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the GMC Acadia.

The Envision is 10.7 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the Envision easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The Envision has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (25.2 vs. 12.8 cubic feet).

Towing

The Envision’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

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 Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 19% lower rating, GMC is ranked 15th.

Ergonomics

The Envision’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Acadia, and is not available on all models.

The Envision’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

On a hot day the Envision’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Envision’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Envision has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Acadia doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Acadia.

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 Acadia.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $145 less than the Acadia 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 $2520 to $2989 less than for the GMC Acadia.

Recommendations

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

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