Buick Envision vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two years of facelifts, to present a more premium crossover styling. Positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, the Envision was lower and wider than its predecessor, offering a more planted appearance. It showcased a sculpted look, distinct from its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, and rivaled the Acura RDX in style. The Envision was available in three trims: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim making its debut, featuring upgraded exterior elements and a luxurious interior. The Avenir grade included a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, unique wheels, and a head-up display, among other features. The Envision's cabin was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack angled towards the driver, though it suffered from an abundance of piano black plastic that attracted dust.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the styling updates from the previous year, with minor distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. It featured LED fog lights and a unique rear bumper, but otherwise resembled the standard CR-V. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid offered different trim and instrumentation to display battery status and power distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed regenerative braking. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all models came with standard all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, tested with Platinum White Pearl paint, featured ivory leather and a premium sound system. Despite the fake wood trim, the CR-V Hybrid's interior was comfortable and spacious, with ample rear seat room and impressive cargo capacity, though slightly reduced due to the battery pack.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This was a downgrade from the previous model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision's performance was more about comfortable cruising than sporty driving. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel efficiency improved slightly, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The AWD version fared slightly worse. The Envision's drive mode selector included a Sport mode, but the engine noise detracted from the experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, delivering a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It featured three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selected based on conditions, along with driver-selected modes: Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's battery pack added 194 pounds, improving weight distribution and maintaining 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It offered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg combined, achieving 33.7 mpg during testing. The CR-V Hybrid's performance was quick off the line, with predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not enhance cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it offered less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front, with rear passengers losing two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity was reduced to 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited passenger access to controls, and forward visibility was challenging for shorter drivers. However, the Envision provided standard heated seats, power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats were supportive, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo space was configured for utility, with 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite the battery pack, the CR-V Hybrid accommodated passengers and cargo effectively, though it offered less space than the standard CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch but challenging for passengers to access. It included standard features like USB ports, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless charging. The driver information display was more efficient for channel scrolling than the infotainment screen.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, felt outdated. It had a seven-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and voice recognition was limited. It supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cluttered navigation map. The Touring trim offered a nine-speaker audio system, wireless charging, and USB ports, though the front ports were less powerful.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It featured standard safety equipment like forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Buckle to Drive feature ensured seatbelt use before shifting from park. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced park assist were available on Avenir models, but the Envision lacked advanced driver assist systems like GM's Super Cruise.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. However, it lacked features like automatic collision notification and teen driver settings.