In the realm of compact SUVs, the 2023 Buick Envision and Chevy Equinox stand as prominent figures, each offering a unique blend of style, comfort, and performance. As potential buyers, you are faced with an interesting conundrum: which of these two meticulously crafted machines is the right fit for you?
In this comparison, we’ll delve deep into the intricacies of each model, carefully picking apart their strengths and shortcomings to help you make an informed decision.
Exterior Design
The Buick Envision is a vehicle that manages to blend modern luxury with a rugged SUV persona. It features an assertive front-end design with sharp lines, a large, prominent grille, and sleek LED headlamps that add a touch of class. The body features a sloping roofline, which gives the vehicle a coupe-like silhouette, while the rear end showcases wraparound LED taillights, adding a sense of cohesion and sophistication to the vehicle’s overall design.
On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox strikes a balance between being sporty and practical. The front end boasts a bold grille flanked by modern LED headlights, and the sculpted body lines flow seamlessly into a muscular rear end. It’s less luxurious in its appeal than the Envision, leaning more towards an athletic aesthetic, which may appeal to those seeking a more rugged look and feel.
Interior Design
Step into the cabin of the Envision, and you’ll find a meticulously designed interior that focuses on luxury and comfort. The materials used are of high quality, with soft-touch surfaces and optional leather upholstery. The layout is intuitive, with all controls within easy reach of the driver. Ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a quiet cabin add to the overall sense of refinement.
The Equinox, while less luxurious than the Envision, still provides a comfortable and functional interior. The dashboard layout is straightforward and user-friendly, and the seats are designed for comfort during long drives. While the standard trim features cloth seats, higher trims offer leather upholstery. It also features a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting, although the overall feel is more utilitarian than luxury.
Seating
The Envision comfortably seats five with generous legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The front seats are power-adjustable and have available heating, ventilation, and even massaging features. The rear seats are spacious and comfortable, offering a pleasant ride for passengers.
Similarly, the Equinox also seats five passengers comfortably. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with optional power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats provide ample room for passengers, although without the same level of luxury as the Envision.
Storage
The Buick Envision offers a generous amount of cargo space, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. It also features several smaller storage compartments throughout the cabin for additional convenience.
The Equinox offers slightly more cargo space, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.9 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. It also offers an array of small-item storage options throughout the cabin.
Performance
The Buick Envision impresses with a robust powertrain under its hood. It houses a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that seamlessly doles out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth shifts and reliable performance.
This combination provides ample power for your daily commutes and long trips alike, offering a refined driving experience that balances power and comfort.
The Chevy Equinox, in contrast, provides options for customization with two engine choices. The base model comes equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates a modest 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. For those who crave a bit more punch, the optional 2.0L turbocharged engine ups the ante to 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth and responsive drive. While the base engine might feel underpowered compared to the Envision’s offering, the upgraded engine on the Equinox serves up a more thrilling performance.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is another area where the Buick Envision shines. The Envision achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, making it a relatively economical choice for a compact SUV.
The Equinox delivers comparable fuel efficiency. The base engine achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while the more powerful 2.0L engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. These figures indicate that the Equinox offers a competitive fuel economy, particularly with its base engine.
Safety
The 2023 Buick Envision comes equipped with a host of standard safety features under Buick’s Driver Confidence Plus package. These include automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. Higher trim levels offer optional features like a head-up display and a surround-view parking camera system.
The Chevy Equinox doesn’t skimp on safety either. The 2023 model comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which includes features like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and a rear vision camera. Optional features in higher trims include adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking camera system.
Trim Levels
The Buick Envision is available in three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir. The base Preferred trim is well-equipped with features like an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a host of safety features. The Essence trim adds luxury features like leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the top-of-the-line Avenir trim adds features like a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and a premium Bose audio system.
The Chevy Equinox comes in four trim levels: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The base L trim comes standard with features like a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and several safety features. The LS trim adds features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat and alloy wheels. The LT trim offers optional packages for additional features, while the Premier trim adds luxury features like leather upholstery, a larger touchscreen, and a premium audio system.
Pricing
The base Preferred trim of the 2023 Buick Envision starts at around $32,000. The Essence trim starts at about $36,000, while the top Avenir trim can push the price north of $40,000 when fully equipped.
The base L trim of the 2023 Chevy Equinox starts at a more affordable $25,000. The LS and LT trims are priced around $27,000 and $28,000, respectively, while the top Premier trim starts around $32,000.
Key Differences
Luxury vs. Practicality
The Buick Envision leans more towards the luxury end of the spectrum with its sophisticated exterior design, high-quality interior materials, and a more refined ride. On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox provides a more practical and utilitarian appeal, focusing on functionality, comfort, and sporty aesthetics.
Performance
The standard engine of the Envision is more powerful than the Equinox’s base engine. The Buick’s 2.0L turbocharged engine delivers a robust 228 horsepower, while the base Equinox’s 1.5L turbocharged engine provides a more modest 170 horsepower. However, the Equinox’s optional 2.0L turbocharged engine outshines the Envision’s with a stronger 252 horsepower.
Fuel Efficiency
Both vehicles offer competitive fuel efficiency, but the base engine of the Equinox has a slight edge over the Envision’s in city driving. The Equinox base engine delivers an estimated 26 mpg in the city, compared to the Envision’s 24 mpg.
Safety Features
While both SUVs are loaded with standard safety features, the Envision offers a slightly more comprehensive package. For instance, it includes a following distance indicator as a standard feature, which is not included in the Equinox’s standard package.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The Buick Envision offers three trim levels – Preferred, Essence, and Avenir – while the Chevy Equinox offers four: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The Envision’s base price is higher, starting around $32,000, compared to the Equinox’s more affordable starting price of around $25,000.
In summary, the 2023 Buick Envision tends to be a more luxurious and powerful option, while the 2023 Chevy Equinox offers more affordability and practicality. The choice between the two will largely depend on individual preferences and priorities.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between the 2023 Buick Envision and the Chevy Equinox is no easy task. Both vehicles deliver commendable performance, notable fuel efficiency, and a roster of safety features that are sure to impress. The Envision leans towards luxury and refinement, offering a more powerful standard engine and a comprehensive safety package. In contrast, the Equinox champions affordability and practicality, presenting a sporty design, a more fuel-efficient base engine, and a lower starting price.
Your final decision will ultimately hinge on what you value most in a compact SUV. Regardless of your choice, you’re bound to enjoy the dynamic driving experience and comfort these vehicles provide.
Features Breakdown
2023 Buick Envision Features
- Exterior Design
- Modern, luxurious design
- Sharp lines and a large, prominent grille
- Sleek LED headlamps and wraparound LED taillights
- Interior Design
- High-quality materials with soft-touch surfaces
- Intuitive layout with easy-to-reach controls
- Ambient lighting and a quiet cabin
- Seating
- Comfortable seating for five
- Generous legroom and headroom
- Power-adjustable, heated, and optionally ventilated front seats
- Storage
- 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded
- Performance
- 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque
- Fuel Efficiency
- EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway
- Safety
- Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane keep assist, among others
- Optional features include a head-up display and a surround-view parking camera system
- Trim Levels
- Available in Preferred, Essence, and Avenir trims
- High-level trim includes premium features like a Bose audio system
- Pricing
- Starts at around $32,000 for the base Preferred trim
2023 Chevy Equinox
- Exterior Design
- Sporty, practical design
- Bold grille and modern LED headlights
- Sculpted body lines and a muscular rear end
- Interior Design
- Functional and user-friendly interior
- Comfortable seats with optional leather upholstery in higher trims
- Panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting
- Seating
- Comfortable seating for five
- Supportive front seats with optional power adjustment, heating, and ventilation
- Storage
- 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded
- Performance
- 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder base engine with 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque
- Optional 2.0L turbocharged engine with 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
- Fuel Efficiency
- EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway for the base engine
- Safety
- Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and forward collision alert, among others
- Optional features include adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking camera system
- Trim Levels
- Available in L, LS, LT, and Premier trims
- High-level trim includes premium features like a larger touchscreen and a premium audio system
- Pricing
- Starts at around $25,000 for the base L trim
