2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign, following two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, sold in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 model was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more premium crossover styling that gave it a planted appearance. The Envision's sculpted look was more pronounced than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—offered distinct looks, with the Avenir trim featuring upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. The interior of the Avenir models included unique trim patterns, leather-appointed seating, and a head-up display (HUD). All Envisions came with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, along with a welcome lighting animation. The cabin 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.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, fully loaded with options, had an MSRP of $42,083, including the destination charge. Despite its high price, it looked similar to a standard RAV4. The RAV4 Hybrid's electronic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system wasn't suitable for an Adventure trim level like the non-hybrid version. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, needing only bolder wheels to enhance its look. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was stylish, functional, and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastic. The test vehicle had a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate. The interior featured clear instrumentation, large climate control knobs, and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy cargo area of 37.5 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter base engine. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the 2020 model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the weight savings didn't 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 noisy acceleration and deceleration. The typical GM drive mode selector included a Sport mode, which altered the revs but didn't significantly improve performance.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, providing standard AWD. This setup generated 219 horsepower, with the front electric motor producing 149 pound-feet of torque and the rear motor generating 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The EPA estimated 40 mpg in combined driving, and testing averaged 39.7 mpg. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's steering was well-weighted, and the suspension design provided a comfortable ride. However, the P225/60R18 Michelin Primacy all-season tires had low grip, affecting cornering performance. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads and offered a comfortable daily driving experience, with an 8.1-inch ground clearance and Trail driving mode for light off-road use.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign didn't improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it 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. The cargo space was reduced to 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. 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 poor, requiring reliance on parking sensors.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, good leg support, and reclining backrests, with air conditioning vents and heated cushions. The dashboard layout was intuitive, with large climate control knobs and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Storage was ample, with useful shelves and a roomy cargo area of 37.5 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

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 for quicker access to information. 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 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-shelf system included an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory. Toyota also offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, 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 Envision lacked GM’s Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road-sign recognition system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim level, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.