Audi Q5 vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, available 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 a more planted appearance on the street. Its premium crossover styling was more sculpted than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in 2021, featuring upgraded exterior elements and a unique interior trim pattern.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 maintained its sharp, modern appearance, carrying the Audi design language with an expressive face, LED headlights, and a prominent Singleframe grille. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The Q5 PHEV variant included S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, standard 19-inch wheels, and optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, with a high level of material selection and an uncluttered appearance. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was well-placed, and the second row offered standard leather seating surfaces.

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 was more about comfortable cruising than sporty driving. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel efficiency 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. However, engine and road noise were noticeable, detracting from the premium feel.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieve 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and multiple driving modes. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting, minimal body roll, and powerful braking.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not 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. 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 controls. Small-item storage was typical for the segment, and comfort was adequate but not exceptional. Forward visibility was a challenge for shorter drivers.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered smart packaging, with the battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It provided 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row had 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front row featured comfortable, supportive seats with a wide range of adjustments. The interior had several storage options, and the layout was smart and functional.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech was not revolutionary but included a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch. The driver could use an 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, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument cluster with three views. The Prestige Package included navigation, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption. The Integrated Toll Module was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and functioned seamlessly.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, 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 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top ratings except for headlights. NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, anti-lock braking with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, anti-theft alarm, LED daytime running lights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and TPMS. Available features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.