2019 Buick Envision vs 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2019 Buick Envision was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in Buick's SUV lineup. It had a more athletic and taut vibe compared to the subcompact Buick Encore and the full-size Buick Enclave. The strong body lines along the sides and the upright rear section of the side windows gave it proportions similar to a BMW X1. Inside, the cabin looked clean and straightforward, but closer inspection revealed that it fell short of the luxury billing Buick aimed for. The matte-finish materials used for some controls and the bezel around the radio and navigation system looked cheap, especially when combined with chrome and light-colored leather. The multifunction steering wheel also felt coarse to the touch.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, which debuted as part of a mid-cycle refresh, maintained the same visual and dimensional characteristics as its gasoline counterpart. The hybrid model featured subtle exterior differences, such as blue-outlined Honda emblems and "Hybrid" designations on the A-pillars and tailgate. Inside, the cabin was nearly identical to the gasoline model, with the same dash and multi-function center console. The gear shifter was replaced with a push-button gear selector, and paddle shifters were repurposed to adjust brake regeneration aggressiveness. The instrument panel displayed information relevant to the hybrid's driving modes: Normal, EV, Econ, and Sport.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered two engine options. The FWD, Preferred, and Essence trims came with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 197 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This setup felt underpowered and sluggish in many driving situations. The Premium and Premium II trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid acceleration and came standard with AWD. The Envision's steering was responsive and tight, though the vehicle felt top-heavy in corners. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter FWD was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the turbo AWD model was rated at 20/25/22.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric generator/starter motor and a propulsion motor. This setup produced a total system power of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid was EPA-rated at 40 mpg city, 35 highway, and 38 combined, significantly better than the gasoline model's 27/32/29. During a test drive in Tucson, Arizona, the CR-V Hybrid achieved nearly 41 mpg in city driving. The hybrid's EV mode operated on electricity alone for up to a mile, but it frequently switched out of EV mode. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride with good steering feel and on-demand torque, making it more fun to drive than the gasoline model.

The 2019 Buick Envision provided ample interior space, with a high driver's seat position offering good visibility. The second row had plenty of head- and legroom, with reclining seat-back positions. Cargo space was 27 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 57 cubic feet with them folded, comparable to the Acura RDX. The Envision also featured helpful cargo tie-downs, deep door pockets, and a cargo tray above the glove box.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, while maintaining the same exterior dimensions as the gasoline model, had to compromise on cargo capacity due to the battery pack beneath the cargo floor. It offered 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with them folded, still more than the Ford Escape Hybrid but less than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The CR-V Hybrid featured a low cargo floor for easy loading and unloading and offered more passenger space than its competitors. The configurable center console bin with a sliding cover provided additional storage flexibility, though the armrest's locking mechanism was too loose.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with GM's Intellilink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a straightforward layout. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with seamless connectivity. The test vehicle also had wireless charging, though the charging pocket design was unconventional. Below the touchscreen, touch-capacitive controls for climate and seat functions were less responsive and seemed like unnecessary tech additions.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Pandora compatibility, and a single USB connector. Higher trims added a 7-inch touchscreen display, Honda Link, smartphone integration, SiriusXM and HD radio, and additional USB ports. The top Touring trim included navigation, wireless device charging, and a premium audio system. However, the infotainment system lacked haptic feedback, and turning off the automatic beep sound required navigating through multiple menus. The instrument panel also required flipping through various menus to access information, which could be distracting while driving.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with ten airbags and a reversing camera with Rear Park Assist. Higher trims included GM's Safety Alert Seat, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert. The Driver Confidence Package on the Premium II trim added adaptive cruise control, automatic front braking, and a 360-degree camera. However, many of these features were optional, unlike competitors that offered them as standard.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a 5-Star Safety Rating from NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, which included automatic braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle rearview camera. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim.