Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 Buick Envista

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura RDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Envista doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Envista doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RDX offers optional Low Speed Autonomous Emergency Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Envista doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The RDX has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Envista doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Envista only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Acura RDX comes with a standard Surround-View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Buick Envista doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The RDX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Envista’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RDX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Envista.

Both the RDX and the Envista have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Acura RDX weighs 877 to 921 pounds more than the Buick Envista. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Buick Envista:

	RDX	Envista
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	39.7%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	220 lbs.
Neck Compression	84 lbs.	97 lbs.

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

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 Acura RDX is safer than the Buick Envista:

	RDX	Envista
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	63	171
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	288 lbs.
Hip Force	217 lbs.	287 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	124	378
Spine Acceleration	52 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	704 lbs.	733 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura RDX is safer than the Envista:

	RDX	Envista
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	200	476
Neck Tension	335 lbs.	379 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.26 in	1.57 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	692 lbs.	1227 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	206	424
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.18 in	1.77 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	736 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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

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

The RDX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envista’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the RDX’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Envista’s camshafts. If the Envista’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 RDX’s reliability 16 points higher than the Envista.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 6 places higher in reliability than Buick.

Engine

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 135 more horsepower (272 vs. 137) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 162) than the Envista’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Buick Envista:

	RDX	Envista
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	10 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.7 MPH	78.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The RDX has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envista (17.1 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Envista. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

For more complete vehicle control the RDX has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Envista doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Envista.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Envista:

	RDX	Envista
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.3 inches

The RDX stops much shorter than the Envista:

	RDX	Envista
70 to 0 MPH	180 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	129 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the Envista (235/55R19 vs. 225/60R17). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Envista (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19).

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Envista Preferred’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Envista Preferred. The RDX A-Spec’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Envista.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Acura RDX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Envista has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The RDX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the RDX flat and controlled during cornering. The Envista’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The RDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Envista’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Envista (108.3 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Envista.

The RDX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Envista’s (60% to 40%). This gives the RDX more stable handling and braking.

The RDX A-Spec handles at .82 G’s, while the Envista Sport Touring pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX A-Spec executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Envista Sport Touring (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The RDX has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envista (104 vs. 97.5).

The RDX has .2 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envista.

Cargo Capacity

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envista with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 20.7 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envista with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 42 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Envista 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 RDX. The Envista doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RDX Advance’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Envista doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The RDX has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Envista has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The RDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Envista uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 7% lower rating, Buick is ranked 9th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the RDX, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Envista doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Envista doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Envista doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RDX’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 Envista’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the RDX the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Envista can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RDX’s standard Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Envista only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. The RDX’s optional 4-Door Smart Entry also allows you to unlock the doors from either rear door handle. The Envista’s optional Keyless Access doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The RDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Envista’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear wiper. The Envista doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Envista’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RDX has standard extendable sun visors. The Envista doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the RDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Envista’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Acura RDX and Buick Envista offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The RDX offers available 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 Envista’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The RDX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Envista. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Envista.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Envista doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RDX’s 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. The Envista doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the RDX and the Envista offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the RDX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Envista doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard Natural Language Voice Recognition, the RDX offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Envista doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Buick Envista, the Acura RDX eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura RDX retains 52.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.18% resale value of the 2025 Buick Envista after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner.

Recommendations

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	RDX	Envista
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE

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