Compare the2025 BMW X3VS 2024 Buick Envision

The BMW X3 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 X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Envision doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Envision doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X3 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The X3 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 X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Envision.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 3 places higher in reliability than Buick.

The X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 165 more horsepower (393 vs. 228) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Envision:

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision (17.2 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X3 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 X3 M50’s 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 X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Envision:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Envision (245/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Envision (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Envision Preferred’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 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 X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Envision Preferred. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir.

The X3 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 X3’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the Envision (112.8 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Envision.

The X3 has .9 inches more front headroom and 1.2 inches more front shoulder room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo 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 X3. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the X3 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.

The X3’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 X3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Envision can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Envision doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Envision doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the BMW X3 and Buick Envision offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The X3 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Envision’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The BMW X3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Buick charges extra for Homelink® on the Envision.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking 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.

The BMW X3 outsold the Buick Envision by 43% during 2023.