Compare the2025 Lexus RXVS 2025 Buick Envision

The Lexus RX 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 RX has a standard Secondary 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.

The RX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Envision doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RX 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, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Envision has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The RX 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Envision. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Envision ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RX’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Envision runs out after 100,000 miles.

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 Lexus RX’s reliability 21 points higher than the Envision and the Lexus RX Hybrid is rated 22 points higher than the Envision.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Envision isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 12th.

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 18 more horsepower (246 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 450h+ Luxury’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (304 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 138 more horsepower (366 vs. 228) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Envision:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Envision can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the RX 350h/500h/450h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision (17.8 vs. 16.1 gallons).

The RX has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 450+ with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Envision doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Envision (112.2 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Envision.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Envision’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The RX has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 8.6 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

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

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Envision with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.2 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers 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 RX. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is limited to 1500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 10% lower rating, Buick is ranked third.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Envision, the RX 450h+ Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RX’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 RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Envision can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Envision doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the Lexus RX and Buick Envision offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The RX 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 RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Envision doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX 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.

The Lexus RX 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 RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park 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 RX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Envision doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Envision only retains 52.65% to 53.82%.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Envision isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Buick Envision by almost three to one during 2023.