Buick Envision vs Lexus RX

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. The redesign made the Envision lower and wider, giving it a more planted appearance on the street. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir models boasted 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 housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled toward the driver. However, the use of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from its premium feel.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued its modern and sporty design, with the RX 350, F Sport, and L trim levels for its gas powertrain, and a hybrid RX 450h model. The RX offered the most aggressive styling among its midsize luxury crossover competitors, with distinctively sharp character lines and angular features. The F Sport trim was the performance-oriented option, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. The RX's interior maintained a luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite its luxury, the RX's center stack felt dated, with an abundance of buttons. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion on long drives.

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 reduction in power from the previous model, the Envision's weight loss of 200 to 300 pounds improved its fuel efficiency. The FWD Envision achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while AWD versions fared slightly worse. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with engine and road noise permeating the cabin. The typical GM drive mode selector offered a Sport mode, but the impact was minimal.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with unimpressive acceleration and engine note. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but changes in driving dynamics were negligible. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, with the RX 350 achieving 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h offered 30 mpg combined.

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. Despite these reductions, Buick calculated nearly identical passenger volumes to the previous model. The Envision's cargo space was 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The driver-centric cockpit limited front passenger access to controls, while small-item storage was typical for the segment. The Envision offered standard heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but forward visibility was challenging for shorter drivers.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, comfortably fitting four adults. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. The RX's cargo space was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the cargo area had a high load-in height due to the sporty bumper design.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech was highlighted by a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch but challenging for passengers to access. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver but remained ergonomically unfriendly. The RX's infotainment system included voice commands and a touchpad, the latter being difficult to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot, with the Lexus App providing additional connectivity options.

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

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS with optional headlights but received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.