Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Buick Envision

The Porsche Macan 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 Macan has a standard Multi-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 Macan and the Envision 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan 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.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Envision’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Macan’s reliability 16 points higher than the Envision.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 4 places higher in reliability than Buick.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (261 vs. 228) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 147 more horsepower (375 vs. 228) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 206 more horsepower (434 vs. 228) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the Macan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Macan has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision (19.8 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan 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.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Envision doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Envision doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Envision (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Envision Preferred’s standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s 45 series tires.

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

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Envision doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Macan 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Envision (110.5 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (53 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

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

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (4409 vs. 1500 pounds).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Envision. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 7% lower rating, Buick is ranked fifth.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Envision, the Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’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 Macan’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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Envision doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Macan 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 Porsche Macan and the Buick Envision, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The Envision has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.