2019 Buick Envision vs 2019 Honda CR-V

When observing the 2019 Buick Envision, its design stood out as more handsome compared to the other vehicles in Buick's SUV lineup. It was not as stubby as the subcompact Buick Encore, and while the full-size Buick Enclave was attractive, the Envision carried a more taut and athletic vibe. Strong body lines along its sides and an upright rear section of the side windows gave it a proportionately elegant look similar to that of a BMW X1.

Inside the Envision, the cabin initially appeared attractive with its clean and straightforward layout amidst a market full of overly busy designs. However, upon closer examination, it was clear that the cabin did not quite align with the luxury billing Buick projected. The matte-finish material around some of the climate controls and the bezel surrounding the radio and navigation system resembled an attempt to mimic the Lexus NX but came off looking cheap. High-gloss black would have probably been a more fitting choice given the other materials used in the cabin. This matte finish was also on the multifunction steering wheel, adding a coarse texture that was not particularly pleasant.

Comparing it with the 2019 Mazda3's luxurious cabin, the Envision seemed to fall short. Even small details, like the power windows—all four being one-touch down but only the driver's window having one-touch up—suggested corners were cut in the design process. The Envision offered five different trims, each varying in features from heated front seats and power-adjustable seats in the base trim to the more luxurious features like heated and cooled front seats, head-up display, leather seating, and navigation in the top-tier Premium II AWD.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda CR-V came with four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Starting at a lower price point of $24,350 (plus destination charges), the CR-V's exterior styling was appealing except for its front-end design. The rear of the CR-V projected a genuinely upscale appearance. Inside, the CR-V excelled in quality with a two-tone tan-over-black interior in the test vehicle. Despite some hard plastics, they neither looked nor felt cheap.

The performance of the 2019 Buick Envision varied considerably between its trims. The FWD, Preferred, and Essence trims came with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 197 horsepower, connected to an outdated 6-speed automatic transmission. This combination felt underpowered and sluggish, particularly in demanding driving scenarios.

However, the Premium and Premium II trims featured a more robust 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, making a notable 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, this engine delivered better acceleration and power. The responsive and tight steering was suitable, although the Envision did feel top-heavy in high-speed corners. Its ride was smoothest around town, and thanks to abundant sound-deadening materials, the cabin remained remarkably quiet. Fuel economy was moderately efficient with the 2.5-liter engine offering 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the turbo AWD model managed 20/25/22.

The 2019 Honda CR-V offered two engine choices. The base LX trim had a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered either the front or all four wheels. Higher trims (EX, EX-L, and Touring) featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, also coupled with a CVT, generating 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Despite similar specifications, the turbocharged engine was more responsive and offered better acceleration and fuel economy. However, concerns regarding engine performance in extremely cold weather were noted, leading to potential misfires or power losses.

The CR-V's driving dynamics were commendable, featuring a MacPherson strut front and multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension. The electric steering system provided a balanced and connected feel, while braking performance remained consistent and reliable even under duress. Fuel economy averaged 27.7 mpg during testing, which was slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 29 mpg.

Space and comfort were strengths for the 2019 Buick Envision, with ample room in the driver's seat providing a high seating position and great visibility. The second row offered plenty of legroom and adequate headroom, and could recline. Cargo-wise, the Envision provided 27 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, expanding to 57 cubic feet when folded. These numbers were competitive, matching leaders in the segment like the Acura RDX. Furthermore, helpful features such as cargo tie-downs, door deep pockets, and a cargo tray above the glove box enhanced practicality.

The 2019 Honda CR-V also provided a comfortable experience, albeit with a notable omission for the front passenger—no height adjustment for the seat, making it less versatile for different occupants. The driver, however, enjoyed a 12-way power adjustable seat on all trims except the LX, along with heated front seats and an optional heated steering wheel. The rear seats were spacious, with air vents and USB ports keeping passengers comfortable. The CR-V excelled in cargo capacity, offering 39.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and an impressive 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, outperforming the Envision in terms of cargo storage.

The Buick Envision's technology package included the GM Intellilink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a straightforward layout. Hard buttons and dials below the screen, as well as customizable drag-and-drop icons, allowed for easy operation. Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging were notable inclusions, though the design of the wireless charging pocket was unconventional. Touch-capacitive climate controls below the screen were less functional, often unresponsive and somewhat gimmicky.

The Honda CR-V improved on earlier models with its EX trim and above, adding a host of driver-assistance features and infotainment upgrades. These included Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. Unfortunately, the system's small screen size, lack of tuning knob, and distracting interface left room for improvement. Voice activation was unreliable, and virtual buttons occasionally failed, highlighting the need for further refinement.

Buick’s Envision 2019 model prioritized safety, coming with ten airbags, including side-curtain and knee airbags, and a reversing camera with Rear Park Assist. Premium trims added advanced features like the Safety Alert Seat, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision alert. Although comprehensive, these features often required an additional cost. The Envision’s unusual feature of illuminating reversing lights while parked caused unnecessary confusion.

The Honda CR-V was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite on all trims except LX, encompassing adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. EX trims and above included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While functional, the safety systems lacked some polish. However, the CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, reassuring buyers regarding its crashworthiness.