Buick Envision vs Toyota bZ

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two years of facelifts in 2019 and 2020. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, was available in China and North America. The redesign made the Envision lower and wider, giving it a more grounded and premium appearance. It featured three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim offering upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. The interior of the Avenir models boasted leather-appointed seating and a head-up display. The Envision's cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack angled toward the driver, though it suffered from an abundance of piano black plastic that attracted dust.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD, and two battery sizes. The XLE Plus, with its larger battery, provided enhanced power and range. The bZ's exterior design improved with body-color trim, and the interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console. The XLE's fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The bZ's driving experience was agreeable, with good visibility and standard parking sensors, though it lacked robust mid-range passing power and had a somewhat choppy ride on uneven 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 power loss was noticeable, though it remained competent for daily driving. The Envision offered FWD as standard, with AWD available, and improved fuel efficiency compared to the 2020 model. The FWD version achieved 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 not particularly engaging, with noticeable engine and road noise.

The 2026 Toyota bZ XLE with FWD featured a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery, delivering 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp and offered varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the bZ averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. The bZ's driving experience was smooth, with good visibility and standard safety features, though it lacked one-pedal driving capability and had issues with front wheelspin during acceleration.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it offered less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost legroom and hip room. Cargo capacity decreased, with 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. However, the Envision provided standard heated seats, power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured standard height adjustment and power adjustment in both trims, with heated and ventilated options. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage solutions. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ provided 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with an underfloor storage well and a power rear liftgate. Folding the back seats increased cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet.

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

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The infotainment system, running Toyota Audio Multimedia, lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had low-contrast colors. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with various connected service plans. The Drive Connect system powered navigation and voice assistant features, which performed well in testing.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It featured standard safety equipment, including forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Buckle to Drive feature ensured seatbelt use before shifting from park. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. IIHS ratings were mixed, with Good ratings for front-crash avoidance but Poor ratings for headlights and Acceptable ratings for frontal-impact crash tests.