The Buick Envision gets a new look for 2021, bringing in a more athletic redesign that takes the classic Buick styling cues and sports them up a bit. The Enclave, once the design leader for the brand, is now relegated to No. 2 in styling behind its little brother.
Find out if the Enclave’s other features are enough to make it a better option than its cross-dealership rival based on our latest SUV comparison.
See a side-by-side comparison of the Buick Envision & the Buick Enclave »
What the Envision gets right
The 2021 Envision starts on the right side of the pricing battle, as it starts from $32,995 (destination fees included), making it over $9,000 cheaper than the base Enclave. Plus, the Envision is all-new this year, bringing in a sharp take on the aging Buick design language. This allows it to stand out as a bolder statement next to the Enclave.
The Envision’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine gives up 82 horsepower to the Enclave’s V6, but its smaller footprint and lower weight make it feel nimbler and quicker on the road. The Envision also wins in fuel economy at up to 22 miles per gallon city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. That beats the Enclave by 5 mpg city, 4 mpg highway, and 5 mpg combined.
In the safety department, the newest Envision gets standard automatic emergency braking, active lane control, rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitors. These are all standard only on the Enclave Premium and Avenir trims.
Despite a lower base price, the Envision matches the Enclaves standard 18-inch wheel, 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it also adds standard synthetic leather and cloth seats, an 8-way power driver seat, LED headlights, and more.
The Envision truly is the value leader in this head-to-head matchup.
What the Enclave gets right
The Enclave’s strong 310-hp V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission delivers a smooth flow of power relative to the Envision. Plus, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds – 3,500 more than the small Envision.
The Enclave is also an excellent option for larger families with its seven-passenger seating, while the Envision can only tote up to five people – though one will be crammed in the rear middle seat. On top of that, the Enclave’s third row is adequately roomy with 33.5 inches of leg room.
Got cargo? The Enclave is the rig for you with up to 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubes behind the second row, and 97.6 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded. The Envision tops out at just 52.7 cubic feet.
Big families need a big crossover
The 2021 Buick Envision just isn’t built for large families. With seven-passenger seating and loads of cargo room, the Enclave is a perfect fit for these fams. Plus, with up to a 5,000-pound tow rating, it can pull along a small trailer with ease.
Verdict: Buick Envision
For the average family, the 2021 Envision is a great buy. Not only does its look great, but it has loads of standard features, plenty of options, leading safety features, and more.
That said, manufacturer lease deals can sometimes favor one SUV over another. For example, the first leases on the Envision were actually more expensive than the Envision.
2021 Buick Envision Already Has $3,000 In Discounts
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