Compare the2025 Buick EnvisionVS 2025 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Buick Envision are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Envision are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Envision and X4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Envision has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Envision and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 front parking sensors.

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Envision 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the Envision gets better mileage than the X4:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Envision’s fuel efficiency. The X4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envision uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended for maximum performance). The X4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 35.1 cents more per gallon.

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 X4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envision higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW X4 (4 to 6). This means the Envision produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X4 every 15,000 miles.

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 X4.

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 X4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Envision’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the X4’s (38 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Buick Envision may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Envision is 4.9 inches shorter than the X4, making the Envision easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Envision uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envision has 2.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (100.4 vs. 97.8).

The Envision has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more rear headroom and 3.8 inches more rear legroom than the X4.

The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (25.2 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Envision has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

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 X4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

The Envision’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Envision’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 X4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Envision’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Envision has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 X4.

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 X4.

The Envision Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $3365 to $4570 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

The Envision will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Envision will retain 52.65% to 53.82% of its original price after five years, while the X4 only retains 50.9% to 52.34%.

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

The Buick Envision outsold the BMW X4 by almost five to one during 2023.