Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2026 Buick Envision

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Buick Envision has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Lexus NX’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Buick Envision.

The NX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Envision doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the NX and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Buick Envision:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Lexus NX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Envision has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The NX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Envision’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Envision. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Envision ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The NX’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Envision runs out after 100,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX’s reliability 26 points higher than the Envision.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Envision isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (240 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (304 vs. 228) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Lexus NX is faster than the Buick Envision:

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the Envision (93 city/75 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Envision:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Envision can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Envision doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The NX has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 450h with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Envision doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the NX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Envision:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Envision doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room and 5.1 inches more rear hip room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is limited to 1500 pounds. The NX offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 22% lower rating, Buick is ranked 9th.

The NX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Envision’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Envision’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Envision doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the Lexus NX and Buick Envision offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The NX features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Envision’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The NX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Envision.

The NX Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Envision Avenir’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Envision doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 46.68% resale value of the 2025 Buick Envision after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner up to $2282.63608 in depreciation.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus NX outsold the Buick Envision by 60% during 2024.