How does the Buick Envision compare to the Chevy Equinox

If you’re shopping for a compact SUV in Columbia, Tennessee, we invite you to stop by Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia to check out the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. As one of the most sought-after models in the Chevy lineup, this crossover offers outstanding reliability, excellent ride comfort, spacious seating, and a generous list of standard features. However, you may be wondering how the Equinox matches up against the similarly sized Buick Envision, which is also a highly popular model. Let’s look at this detailed comparison between these two excellent SUVs. 

Trim Levels and Prices

If you decide to buy the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, you have four trim levels to choose from: the base L, LS, LT, and the top-of-the-line Premier. The starting prices for this Chevy model are $23,800 for the L, $26,300 for the LS, $27,500 for the LT, and $31,400 for the Premier. The 2021 Buick Envision, on the other hand, is available in three trims: the Preferred, Essence, and the range-topping Avenir. The Preferred starts at $31,800, the Essence starts at $35,800, and the Avenir starts at $40,200. 

Exterior

The Chevrolet Equinox makes a striking statement on the road with its tall stance and sharp styling. Its dominant grille and squinting headlights make it look aggressive from the front, while its gentle curves and crisp lines add a touch of elegance. This Chevy SUV comes in eight different exterior paint colors, which are as follows:

• Pacific Blue Metallic
• Midnight Blue Metallic
• Nightfall Gray Metallic
• Iridescent Pearl Tricoat
• Summit White
• Silver Ice Metallic
• Cajun Red Tintcoat
• Mosaic Black Metallic

In contrast, the Buick Envision has a lower, wider stance and athletic proportions that give it a car-like appearance. It looks bold and muscular with its sculpted hood and side panels, strong shoulder line, and pronounced wheel arches. Exterior color options include:

• Dark Moon Blue Metallic
• Rich Garnet Metallic
• Summit White
• Cinnabar Metallic
• Burnished Bronze Metallic
• Ebony Twilight Metallic
• Stain Steel Metallic

Performance

If you enjoy going for a spirited drive every now and then, the Chevrolet Equinox may be a better option. This crossover comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine that produces 170 horsepower and works with a six-speed automatic transmission. If you choose the LT or Premier, you’ll have access to the optional 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four that pairs with a nine-speed automatic. This engine provides swift acceleration and plenty of power for highway merging and overtaking. With proper equipment, the Equinox is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds.   

The Buick Envision offers only one engine option, which is a 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 228 horsepower. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, this power plant isn’t as potent as the Equinox’s available engine, but it provides enough punch for most driving tasks. This SUV has a tow rating of only 1,500 pounds. 

The Chevy Equinox and Buick Envision are both versatile vehicles that can perform well in most driving situations. Their compact size and sharp steering enable them to negotiate tight spaces with ease, making them ideal for city dwellers. They also do a fine job of absorbing potholes and bumps, resulting in a smooth and comfortable ride. With their relatively agile handling and impressive composure around corners, these two crossovers can also provide an engaging driving experience. 

Fuel Economy

The base engine of the Chevy Equinox is highly fuel-efficient, delivering 26/31 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive and 25/30 mpg with all-wheel drive. With the larger engine, the crossover returns up to 22/29 mpg. In comparison, the Buick Envision earns 24/31 mpg with front-wheel drive and 22/29 mpg with all-wheel drive. 

Interior

If you regularly have multiple rear passengers, you may be better off getting the Chevrolet Equinox. Both the front and back rows of this crossover have ample legroom and headroom for even tall adults. The Envision offers a generous amount of legroom for front passengers, but its rear seats are only spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two adults. The cabins of these two SUVs are equally well-built, featuring excellent fit and finish and plenty of quality materials.  

Cargo Capacity

The Chevrolet Equinox also has an edge over the Buick Envision in terms of cargo capacity. It provides 30 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats upright and 60 cubic feet with those seats folded down. That’s enough room for more than 15 carry-on suitcases. The Envision, on the other hand, offers 25.2 cubic feet behind the back seats and 52.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.  

Infotainment Features

Regardless of whether you choose the Chevy Equinox or Buick Envision, you’ll have a wide array of infotainment features to keep you informed and entertained on the go. The Equinox comes standard with a 7-inch touch-screen display, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. In contrast, the entry-level Envision is fitted with an 8-inch touch screen, two USB ports, a six-speaker sound system, satellite radio, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

Safety Features

When it comes to safety, the Buick Envision may have an upper hand over the Chevrolet Equinox as it offers a slightly longer list of standard driver-assistance features. These technologies include automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, front pedestrian braking, lane-departure alert, lane-changing warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic warning, a rearview camera, a safety alert seat, and teen-driver monitoring. 

The standard active safety features of the Chevy Equinox include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, forward-collision alert, following-distance indicator, automatic high-beams, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure alert, a rearview camera, rear-seat reminder, and teen-driver monitoring. 

In addition to being significantly more affordable, the Chevrolet Equinox offers quite a few advantages over the Buick Envision. If you want to know if the Equinox is the right SUV for you, come to Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia for a test drive. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or want to make an appointment.