2021 Buick Envision vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, featured a lower and wider stance, giving it a more planted appearance. The Envision's new sculpted look was more refined 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 making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir grade added premium exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels, and a unique interior with leather-appointed seating and a head-up display. The Envision also came with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, along with a welcome lighting animation.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned rear liftgate, and fresh alloy wheel designs. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints. The CX-5's trim levels were restructured, with the 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo options offering different performance levels. Our test vehicle, the 2.5 Turbo, came with optional Soul Red paint, a navigation system, and a package including roof rails and crossbars, totaling $39,445.

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 remained competent but not thrilling. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Envision's fuel economy improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive contributed to a fuel economy of 26 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo variant offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, with a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. The CX-5's driving dynamics were significantly improved, with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not translate to improved cabin space. Despite a longer wheelbase, the front row had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, while 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 seats folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. Small-item storage was adequate, and the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was a challenge for shorter drivers.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints with new, more comfortable seats and a sportier driving position. The height-adjustable front passenger seat was a welcome addition. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, while not intuitive, became manageable with time. Storage space was limited, with a small center armrest bin and wireless smartphone charging. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch but challenging for the front passenger to use. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system required the use of center console and steering wheel controls, lacking natural voice recognition. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or 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 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.