2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign, following two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, available only in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 Envision was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting solid premium crossover styling that gave it a more planted appearance. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir models came with upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, body-color painted lowers and wheel arches, rear lens LED taillamps with a swipe-style turn sequence, and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. Inside, the Avenir offered leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated leather inserts, a unique trim pattern, and a head-up display (HUD). All Envisions came with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, as well as a welcome lighting animation. The interior featured a driver-centric design with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled toward the driver. However, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from the premium feel.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV. The A-Spec’s subtle yet effective styling changes conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided off-roading design cues, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with base prices starting at $38,200 and the A-Spec Package bringing the MSRP to $44,100. The A-Spec interior featured front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, a black headliner, dark brushed aluminum trim, sport pedals, red exposed stitching, red nighttime illumination, red ambient cabin lighting, and unique gauges. However, the red markings on a brushed silver background in the gauge cluster were hard to read, except at night. The RDX’s interior delivered a sporty look and feel, with quality materials and a thick-rimmed steering wheel, though some controls prioritized form over function.

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 weight savings did not compensate for the power loss. The Envision offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision’s drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with noticeable engine and road noise. The Sport mode altered the revs but did not significantly enhance the driving experience.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and front-wheel drive was standard, with the SH-AWD system available for an additional cost. The SH-AWD system improved handling by distributing up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels and 100% of that share to either rear wheel. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec models featured exclusive Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels with larger performance all-season tires. While the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, it lacked adaptive dampers and rev-matching for the transmission in Sport or Sport+ mode. Nevertheless, the RDX offered predictable handling, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes, with an engaging engine sound in Sport+ mode.

The 2021 Buick Envision’s redesign did not improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, the Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger’s access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. Small-item storage was typical for the segment, and the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was compromised by the cowling between the hood and windscreen.

The 2021 Acura RDX offered remarkable passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion and excessive seatback recline angle. Storage space could be improved, with a large but not easily accessible tray under the center console. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats increased cargo capacity to 58.9 cubic feet, though Acura also quoted a maximum value of 79.8 cubic feet based on a different measurement methodology.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch and displaying necessary functionalities. The driver could use the available 8.0-inch driver information display to scroll through channels more efficiently than the infotainment screen. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, surround-view camera, HUD, a rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. The TTI mirrored the screen, with touchpad actions corresponding to specific screen areas. While an improvement over Lexus’s approach, TTI still required driver attention and could be distracting. The RDX offered physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, smartphone projection, and integrated voice-recognition technology. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert required an upgrade to the Technology Package. The RDX earned a 2020 “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.