Compare the2025 Buick EnvisionVS 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Buick Envision has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Envision and the Sportage PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available front parking sensors.

Warranty

The Envision’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sportage PHEV’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 34 percent more Buick dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Envision’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

Both the Envision and Sportage PHEV have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Envision has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Envision has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (16.1 vs. 11.1 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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Envision, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage PHEV.

Brakes and Stopping

The Envision’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sportage PHEV are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sportage PHEV (245/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

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 Sportage PHEV’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sportage PHEV’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Envision has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Envision offers an available continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads or off-road. The Sportage PHEV’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Envision’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (38 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

Chassis

The Buick Envision may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

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

Passenger Space

The Envision has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sportage PHEV.

Servicing Ease

The Envision uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sportage PHEV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Kia is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

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 Sportage PHEV does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Envision has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Envision’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Sportage PHEV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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. Smart Key standard on the Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Envision’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sportage PHEV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Envision has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Envision also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Envision’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sportage PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Envision and the Sportage PHEV offer available heated front seats. The Envision Avenir also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Sportage PHEV.

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 Sportage PHEV.

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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Envision owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Envision will cost $505 to $2180 less than the Sportage PHEV over a five-year period.

Recommendations

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