Compare the2025 Buick EnvisionVS 2025 Chevrolet Equinox

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 Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Envision’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Envision and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fourth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 8 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (228 vs. 175) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the Equinox FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (228 vs. 175) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 203) than the Equinox AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Envision has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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 Equinox are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (245/45R20 vs. 235/65R17).

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 Equinox LT/ACTIV’s standard 65 series tires. The Envision Sport Touring/Avenir’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Equinox RS’ optional 50 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 Equinox LT/ACTIV.

The Envision has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Envision flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 Equinox’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 Equinox doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envision’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Equinox (109.4 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

The Envision has .9 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

The Envision’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (1500 vs. 800 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 Equinox doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 14th.

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 Equinox, and is not available on all models.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Envision’s front power windows 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 Equinox’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Envision has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Equinox 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 Equinox doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

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 Equinox.

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 Equinox.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 Equinox doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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