Buick Envision vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two years of facelifts, to present a more premium crossover styling. Positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, the Envision was sold in China and North America. Its new design was lower and wider, offering a more planted appearance on the street. The Envision's sculpted look was more pronounced than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The introduction of the Avenir trim brought upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels, while the interior featured leather-appointed seating and a head-up display. The Envision's cabin was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack angled toward the driver, though the abundance of piano black plastic attracted dust.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The Bolt, now offered in a single body style, prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The interior saw a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space. Despite the hard plastic surfaces, the Bolt's cabin offered adequate comfort with thin padding at elbow touch points. The RS trim added Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. The rear seating area, though dominated by hard plastics, provided ample headroom and thigh support.

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. Despite a weight reduction of 200 to 300 pounds, the power downgrade from the previous model was noticeable. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Envision's fuel efficiency improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The ride was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors, with noticeable engine and road noise.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt introduced a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery, reducing costs and rare earth mineral usage. Its motor, sourced from the Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time in the low seven-second range. One-pedal driving was available, with adjustable brake regeneration levels. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt's low center of gravity contributed to its agility. The EPA estimated a range of 262 miles on a full charge, with a charging speed of up to 150 kW.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, with rear-seat passengers losing two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity decreased to 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited passenger access to controls, and forward visibility was challenging for shorter drivers. Despite these drawbacks, the Envision offered standard heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The Bolt lacked a frunk but offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch, and an available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. The infotainment system was easy to use, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system could help drivers find charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but was expected to achieve high scores. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system and rear-pedestrian alert. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.