Buick Envision vs. Honda CR-V

Comparison between Buick Envision and Honda CR-V

1. Introduction

The Buick Envision and Honda CR-V are two premium, compact family crossover products from two of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world. The Envision being a recent product, viewers have asked if it is a good alternative to the well-established CR-V. This article was made to compare the two and help potential shoppers with their purchase. Buick originally intended the Envision to be sold exclusively in China, but due to discrepancies in the production costs in China vs South Korea (where it was being imported), along with improvements in quality sparked the idea of exporting the vehicle worldwide. In November 2016, General Motors began shipping Chinese-made Envisions to the US. Honda continually improves the CR-V and has impressive sales each year, the 2017 model receiving improvements to design, versatility, and performance. While the Envision is available in various trim levels, this article is to compare the two mid-range models being the Envision Essence and CR-V EX, both coming in at around $36,000 CAD.

1.1 Overview of Buick Envision

The model with a higher starting price, the Buick Envision, can be purchased in 5 available trims and 10 possible different colors. Featuring a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, commonly found in Buick models, and 197 horsepower, the Envision is sufficient for easy travel. Additionally, the overall fuel economy for the vehicle ranks at about 25-29 mpg, making the vehicle quite efficient. The Envision has a length of 183.7 inches and a width of 72.4 inches, a common size for any mid-sized sport utility vehicle. The wheelbase measures at 108.2 inches and a height of 66.8 inches. Moving into the interior features of the vehicle, the Envision has leather seating available in 3 out of 5 trims, bringing out a rather luxurious vibe to the car, while the other two trims have a premium cloth material. Coming standard, the Envision has an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system and a 6-speaker audio system. The driver and front passenger will have an 8-way power adjustable seat and 2-stage heating for ultimate comfort. Furthermore, the steering wheel of the car is also heated, with the second of five trims offering power tilt and telescoping steering column. At the rear of the vehicle is a hands-free power liftgate, available in the Essence and Premium trims. In terms of safety, the Envision has many available features. Coming standard is the rear vision camera, and available is rear cross-traffic alert and blindside zone alert. An available package includes adaptive cruise control and forward collision alert. In all, there are 9 possible packages and options that the car buyer may choose, varying from rear park assist to automatic parking assist. Finally, the Envision has a rather spacious cargo area at a volume of 26.9 feet, perfect for any family on the go.

1.2 Overview of Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V has been a well-known player in the small SUV market. The previous generation CR-V has been a top ten best seller and arguably been a really popular car. The brand has always been synonymous with quality, practicality, and reliability, hence why the CR-V has always been a popular choice with families. The new CR-V, which has been released, does come in several variants. They range from the CR-V turbo 2WD, CR-V turbo AWD, CR-V VTi-7, and the CR-V AWD, which comes in five-seater and seven-seater variants. For the purpose of this comparison, we've chosen the range-topping CR-V turbo AWD. Keep in mind though concept and styling does carry across to all the variants, so this comparison can still be somewhat relevant even if you're considering a lower model. Similar to the Envision, the CR-V comes with a lifetime warranty and a five-star safety rating. Pricing for the car does start from $30,690 and maxes out at $44,290 (not including on-road costs). This is roughly 5K cheaper than the Envision top trim, so the gap is quite large between the two cars. An equivalent model in terms of drivetrain would be the Envision Premium II, and this would be the car that the CR-V is judged against. At first impressions, the car definitely looks better than the outgoing CRV, which had a simple design that was mainly aimed for practicality. The new CR-V seems to be on par with the Envision in terms of exterior styling. It looks sleek from the front and has a really premium appearance overall. The turbo model comes with an 18-inch alloy wheel, panoramic sunroof, and LED lights. Step into the car, and you'll easily see that it has a luxurious feel in terms of build quality and comfort. An accurate comparison would be saying the CR-V's interior is on par with the Envision. The dash and console are finished with soft-touch materials, and there are wood grain accents in certain areas to give that touch of sophistication. The leather seats are very comfortable and are heated. This comes even for rear seats, and the function can be activated with a push on the screen. Being a big fan of bench seats, we really like the VTi-7 model, which comes with seven seats instead of five. This is a feature that's rarely seen in this segment, and there are still plenty of cars that are only five-seater. Rear seat passengers get climate control, and the rear doors actually open 90 degrees, allowing for really easy entry and exit. Boot space ranges from 522L for the five-seater AWD to 472L for the seven-seater AWD, and this should be more than enough for the average family. There are also many features aimed at practicality, and this is another area that the CR-V shines. Examples include a height-adjustable power tailgate. A nifty feature is that the CR-V has a proximity key indicator only at the front, so that if you go near the rear of the car, the car will lock. Gotta on the fence right now haha. We'll be glad to offer the Honda if it's coming straight from the test cars that we had! Overall, the CRV comes with a really nice package and offers great value. It's definitely something to consider if you're looking for a premium and reliable family car. We think that the Envision is still in a different class, and it's not really a fair comparison looking at the price difference. But for those who still want a Honda but are thinking about the old Accord, this is the sign to move on!

2. Performance

Acceleration is an area where the Envision can boast a distinct advantage with a 0-100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds compared to the CRV's consistently around 9 seconds. Both vehicles have been tested for acceleration and braking in varying driving scenarios to predict a crash and mitigate injury. More information on this can be found at the IIHS website. This is an area of common development for all vehicle types, and technologies learned will often trickle down into mainstream vehicles. The Envision has also been developed to include an active twin clutch AWD system and features HiPer Strut front suspension to increase driver control. AWD and 4WD vehicles have a variety of systems to distribute torque to the front and rear wheels, including simple on-off systems, viscous couplings, and fully variable systems with electromagnetic clutches. The Envision's twin clutch system is a fully variable system that can distribute torque between the front and rear wheels as well as from side to side at the rear. This advanced system will increase driver control on adverse surfaces and improve vehicle launch on slippery surfaces. Finally, an active twin clutch system will provide a more responsive transfer of torque compared to passive systems with a noticeable effect on vehicle acceleration. These Envision technologies show a clear effort to maximize driver control and vehicle stability in varying driving scenarios.

In terms of handling and suspension, both vehicles come equipped with a Macpherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. In terms of handling, the Honda CRV boasts its vehicle stability assist with traction control as well as its agile handling assist. While each model has been designed to maximize the vehicle's ride comfort and stability, the Envision has been fine-tuned at the Nurburgring test track in Germany, which is notorious for having adverse effects on vehicle ride and handling. This suggests that despite the CRV's efforts to maximize ride comfort and stability, the Envision will hold a slight edge in ride comfort and handling. This testing at Nurburgring will likely have a more pronounced effect on ride and handling compared to standard testing on public roads or test tracks. These standardized tests have found the Envision to be slightly quieter than the CRV on the interior at 70km/h. Both vehicles have a noise vibration and harshness package to minimize unwanted noise from entering the interior in varying driving conditions. Step in NVH testing and analysis has become the industry standard, and this would likely have been an area of focus for both manufacturers as consumer interest in interior quietness has driven vehicle development around the world.

Various aspects of performance can have a significant effect on your driving experience. When it comes to horsepower, handling, and efficiency, the Buick Envision boasts a 2.0L intercooled turbo engine with a horsepower of 252, as well as an active twin clutch all-wheel drive. Though the Honda CRV comes close with a 1.5L engine on all trims above LX, power is an area that the Envision exceeds the CRV with capabilities to handle rougher terrain over the standard SUV. As a result of this focus, the CRV's AWD is not primarily engaged but kicks in when slippage is detected. In terms of long-term efficiency, the CRV takes the edge with a fuel rating of 8.7/7.2 KM/L city/highway for all AWD trims compared to the Envision's 11.9/9.1 KM/L, and the Envision requires premium fuel.

2.1 Engine Power and Efficiency

The Envision in reality will be significantly faster with a 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds compared to 7.6 seconds for the CR-V upgrade engine; but it will be very close to the CR-V standard engine's tested 6.8 seconds and still slower than the still relevant former CR-V upgrade engine. The Envision's fuel economy is EPA rated at 20-21 mpg city and 26-28 mpg highway, depending on FWD or AWD configuration. The CR-V standard engine is rated at 27-28 mpg city and 33-34 mpg highway and the 1.5L upgrade engine at 28-29 mpg city and 34-35 mpg highway, all better than the Envision. This is a classic case of numbers not telling the whole story. The Envision's engine does indeed have more power and is likely faster, but the difference is not night and day and there is great potential for driver preference, especially when considering the CR-V's upgrade engine likely had more emphasis placed on it than its standard engine. Say what you want about choosing not to use the higher quality gas. Regardless, the CR-V has an eco advantage for all engines and some people may find the tradeoff of a bit less power for much better fuel economy to be quite favorable. The Envision does however have the CR-V beat in towing capacity, as its 1500 lbs with the 2.0L engine bests the 1000 lbs for all CR-V configurations.

Buick boasts that their turbo-charged 2.0L engine has more power and better fuel economy than the standard CR-V engine, and horsepower and torque competitive with the CR-V's significantly more expensive upgrade engine. While technically true, the differences are marginal at best. On regular gasoline, the Envision's 2.0L engine outputs 252 hp and 260 lb-ft compared to the CR-V 1.5L engine's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft. When comparing these numbers to the CR-V's upgraded 1.5L engine optimized for premium gasoline, the figures are closer at 190 hp and 179 lb-ft, but still fall short. Then again, the CR-V upgrade engine has not been depreciated over time and likely could outperform the Envision's engine if it were hypothetically still in production today at the time of this writing.

2.2 Handling and Suspension

Buick Envision has a minor issue when it comes to high-speed cornering, particularly on rough road surfaces. This can, in part, be attributed to poor choices for wheel and tire fitments. The Envision comes standard with 18-inch wheels, and 19-inch wheels available on higher-end models. As profile decreases on the tires, impact harshness increases. This means that a 19" wheel and tire configuration will not ride as smoothly as an 18" configuration would. There is increased transmission of clearance-related disturbances and less sidewall to absorb impact from road imperfections. It comes as no surprise that the 19-inch wheels are only available on higher-end models and are standard for the Premium II trim level. It may also be of interest to tire availability for all models. The only tire available for the 18 and 19" fitments is the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2. The Ventus S1 Noble2 is an all-season tire designed to provide a balance of high performance and all-season capabilities. It boasts a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty and a relatively low price. This is suitable for the Envision as a mainstream luxury crossover. The Envision Premium and Premium II 20-inch wheels come with a tire width of 255mm. High-performance tire widths of 255mm are available for luxury SUVs in upwards of $100,000. This demonstrates Buick's effort to improve Envision handling. Unfortunately, there is only one tire available in this width for the 20-inch wheels: Kumho Crugen Premium. The lack of tire availability hints that fitment of these wheels on the highest-end Envision trims is largely for appearance. The Crugen Premium is a relatively unknown tire and intended to be an improvement over typical OEM SUV tires. The relatively low price of the Crugen Premium may explain Buick's decision to go with this tire, as there were surely higher-performance options available. This tire is an all-season tire with an emphasis on providing a smooth and quiet ride; it does not fit the bill for performance enthusiasts. Although the tire choice is far from optimal, the increased wheel size is a demonstration of Buick's desire to improve Envision handling and appeal to a certain market of luxury crossover customers. The wheel and tire choice ultimately have an adverse effect on steering response and decreased ride quality on rough road surfaces. This can be somewhat compensated through routine maintenance and part replacement. High-end model Envision owners can replace bushings and suspension parts with aftermarket equivalents designed to a higher performance standard than stock parts. This is also a convincing alternative to stock suspension for owners with 18 and 19-inch wheel Envisions. Unfortunately, only a limited market of Envision owners is likely to take such measures to improve their vehicle's handling. A better approach for addressing handling issues on the Envision would have been alternative suspension tuning and fitment of optional higher-performance wheel and tire packages.

2.3 Acceleration and Top Speed

Both vehicles have a similar power-to-weight ratio for their vehicle-specific classes and designs. This mainly comes down to the weight of the Envision, which is just shy of 3700lbs, compared to the CR-V at around 3300lbs. The Envision has a power-to-weight ratio of around 19lbs per horsepower, whereas the CR-V is at around 19.5lbs per horsepower. Simulation tool results show that the top speed for the Envision is around 185km/h for a level road acceleration. This is in agreement with actual road testing data of 177km/h. Using the same simulation tool and parameters, the CR-V obtains a top speed of 192km/h, which is also once again in agreement with actual road testing data of just under 190km/h.

The comparison in acceleration between the Honda CR-V and the Buick Envision shows that while the Envision is quicker in a 0-60km/h roll-on run, the CR-V is actually faster in a flat-out acceleration 0-97km/h. This is surprising, as the Envision uses a 2.5L I-4 engine compared to the CR-V's 1.5L Turbocharged I-4 engine. The Envision is capable of reaching 97km/h in around 10.5 seconds according to Motor Trend testing. The CR-V, in comparison, did it in 9.3 seconds in base 2WD form. This trend continues over a top speed run, the CR-V topping out at around 190km/h whereas the Envision is electronically limited to 177km/h. It is important to consider the fact that it is a roll-on acceleration test, and the Envision may achieve better results compared to that of the CR-V in some cases due to the engine power and torque difference.

3. Features and Technology

Acast aside the plastic wheel covers of a base Envision, and you'll find features you won't find a CR-V at any price. You'll also find styling, materials, and assembly quality on par with those in an Enclave, which wears an upper-crust price. Both models come with tri-zone climate control, active noise cancellation, heated front seats, and an air ionizer, and first- and second-row of heated outboard seating. Stepping up to the Essence adds larger 18-inch wheels, a power passenger seat, and leather upholstery, but all these features are available on the Preferred. A set of driver confidence package adds many safety features, but it loads up the price quite quickly. There was a time when a top-level Accord was very well equipped, and the CR-V Touring obtains nearly all those features plus a power liftgate and a memory driver's seat, yet it's priced well below where the 2018 Accord Touring likely will be. You'd have to climb to the Touring for heated rear seats, but unlike in the case with the Envision, they're available, as is a heated steering wheel. A hands-free power tailgate is also offered, a feature only found in the CR-V or the Envision among compact utilities. Buick has the edge in rear-seat climate control, as only the CR-V Touring sends any ventilation back there, and the Honda still does not offer any right-sized SUV with a panoramic moonroof. Step up Envision Avenir with its unique mesh grille and Evonik acrylite lighting, and it's a convincing stand-in for something from a European luxury brand. GM's latest infotainment software runs through an 8.0-inch touchscreen (or an optional 8.0-inch screen and an additional pair of gauges in the Envision Premium) with bigger icons and a more logical menu; it's still not the quickest system around, but it's a step forward. The Envision also now comes with a 4G LTE data connection on its OnStar system, plus a new air ionizer said to reduce bacteria and odors in the cabin. The CR-V answers with a set of conveniences like two second-row USB ports and remote start, but its infotainment system has the edge in logic with a volume knob and side buttons flanking a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Both models offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and neither offers embedded navigation.

3.1 Safety Features

Both lineup models show how important safety for their customers is and how they are willing to show off the benefits right from the start. Step in and out of a Honda CR-V and you will have many more different views in comparison to Envision. Specifically, the Honda CR-V makes it easier for children and adults to exit the vehicle by having a rear door that opens at almost 90 degrees. This makes it very convenient for strapping children into car seats and avoiding the parental back strain of loading them. Upper trim CR-V models add on more convenience for an adult with a foot-activated power liftgate. This is a highly practical feature for adults loading groceries and luggage into the trunk as it eliminates having to put items down to free up a hand to open the trunk and take them out again.

Both Buick Envision and Honda CR-V provide important safety features that add protection and peace to the minds of drivers. Some of the features of safety for the Buick Envision include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, front pedestrian braking, and heated automatic steering wheel. Some of the features of safety for the Honda CR-V include collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, and lane keeping assist. Though both model lineups include important features that promote safety while driving, the Honda CR-V model has the superior level of safety features by having them standard across all of the model lineups. This means that prospective owners can feel safer about buying a base model knowing that there are important safety features already included with it.

3.2 Infotainment System

Firstly, starting with the system in the 2019 Envision, in an age of smartphones, this system is now commonplace with a pinch, swipe, and press functionality, and this is found within Buick's new system. The eight-inch touchscreen is multi-color and intuitive, and the layout and graphics of the system give it a modern look. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means that smartphone integration is possible with the Envision, and this means that access to messages and the maps, for example, on an iPhone can be used on the touchscreen with a familiar smartphone-like interface. Mark Boyadjis, global technology lead at IHS Markit said, "Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are easily accessed through the upgraded eight-inch-diagonal infotainment system, and they project the phone's interface onto the Envision's touchscreen." A high-resolution driver information center is also included in the Envision and can be navigated with a steering wheel-mounted control, and this means that driver information, audio, phone, navigation, and other features are easily accessed and controlled. It is clear that Buick has stepped up their game in terms of the infotainment system and smartphone integration and has catered to the demands of the modern driver, with these technology features being now commonly found rather than being an exclusive feature on luxury cars. In moving to the 2019 CR-V, it is evident that Honda has also realized the increasing importance of the infotainment system, with an improvement in the layout compared to the previous models. The seven-inch display is simple and user-friendly and comes with a volume knob rather than buttons, and a tuning knob and hard buttons have been included so that functions such as audio can be easily controlled. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also now included, and in a similar fashion, the driver information interface is high resolution and includes a digital speedometer which can function as the display for the audio screen. The CR-V also comes with two USB ports in the front and back, and this means that the connectivity of several devices at once is possible. Buick has been given a run for their money in terms of the infotainment system, and as stated by Karl Brauer, executive publisher for Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book said, "the advanced new multimedia technology and added connectivity on the 2019 CR-V further its appeal." From a comparison standpoint, both the Envision and the CR-V now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and mean that smartphone integration is available with similar smartphone-like interfaces. However, it can be said that the Envision has slightly more advanced smartphone integration, with the Carplay and Android Auto being easily accessed through the eight-inch touchscreen, and the interface on the touchscreen has the same appearance as the phone itself. The phone interface with the CR-V may be a bit of lower quality with no touchscreen mirroring, but is still effective with apps displayed on the audio screen. The Envision also holds an advantage with the inclusion of the HD driver information center, and when comparing smartphone integration and additional features, Buick has stepped up their game compared to Honda.

3.3 Connectivity Options

In the infotainment system, Buick Envision can be considered more advanced compared to the Honda CR-V. This is because the Buick Envision is providing a MyLink system with an 8-inch touch screen and also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. MyLink system is an online touch screen feature that will enable the user to stream music, download apps, or set navigation with the use of the touch feature or voice command. Imagine using a tablet; this is the closest experience that the user can feel when using the MyLink system. The ability of the MyLink system to use voice commands gives enormous advantages to the user, especially to the person who is caught using a mobile phone while driving. This is because he/she can pair the mobile phone to the car and still be able to make a call, send a text, play music, or search GPS without the need to touch the phone. This method can prevent summoning the person. Besides that, this car is providing a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. With this feature, everybody in the car can browse the internet online when the car is started. Imagine having children and they are getting bored while traveling; this is a blessing to them because they can keep playing their online games using the tablet without asking the parent to switch on the mobile phone hotspot sharing. This feature also is an advantage to business people because they can work or make a video call to their clients wherever they want. The last advantage is this car is providing a SiriusXM Radio feature. Imagine driving a car while listening to various channels of entertainment, sports, or even streaming music. This will give less boredom to the driver.

Abel 2.1: Comparison between Buick Envision and Honda CR-V in the category of infotainment system.

3.4 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

This is another section that can be debated simply due to the shallow specifications of the Honda CR-V that could not be technically compared to the Buick Envision. Although it's clear that both vehicles deliver advanced driving assistance system technology, the specifications indicate that Buick Envision's ADAS suite is more advanced and comprehensive than that of Honda CR-V.

On the other hand, Buick Envision offers the available Forward Collision Alert that scans the road ahead and alerts you when you are rapidly approaching another vehicle. The Safety Alert Seat provides you with the option of getting seat pulse vibrations instead of audible crash avoidance alerts. This works with the available Automatic Collision Preparation system to help warn you of a crash so you can take action to prevent it. It will also work with the available Front Automatic Braking system to help reduce crash damage or help avoid collisions. Both vehicles have a frontal and side impact airbag system to help protect you in the event of a collision. However, Buick Envision provides a safety package that delivers 360 degrees of crash avoidance technology. This is a great safety feature, however, this section will focus mainly on driving assistance. Both vehicles also offer a rear vision camera and rear cross-traffic alert. The Envision's rear vision camera system provides a much clearer image display than just a standard backup camera.

Without a doubt, both Buick Envision and Honda CR-V deliver their advanced driver-assistance systems that combine safety features and convenience, intended to improve the customer's driving experience. Honda CR-V showcased the Honda Sensing suite, an intelligent and safety technology that uses strategically located cameras designed to alert you to things you might miss while driving. Features include: Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist System. All of these features work independently or together when necessary to help keep you on the road and out of collision.

4. Price and Value

When considering the price of the Buick Envision and the Honda CR-V and the value you get from each, it is important to compare the two small SUVs. The Envision comes in two forms, you can have it as a premium 2.0 turbo or a 2.5-liter engine. The CR-V also offers two powertrains, it has a 1.5-liter turbo and a hybrid version for a more eco-friendly option. When looking at the base models for each SUV, the Envision comes in at around $11,000 more than the CR-V. This is already a big difference and is enough to consider which one will bring you more value. Both SUVs come with a 4-year or 50,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. If you are leaning towards the turbo Envision, you will have 3 months of satellite radio, but if you choose the CR-V, you will have it for 5 months. A small feature but good to compare. This will allow you to evaluate the price and value between these two SUVs. If price is your determining factor, you may get more for your money out of the CR-V. When comparing the resale value of these two SUVs, over 3 years the Envision is predicted to hold 40% of what is originally worth. When comparing this to the CR-V it is very low. Honda has a great reputation for holding resale value and the CR-V is no different. Over 3 years it is predicted that it will hold 54% of what is originally worth. Even to this date, you can see many older style CR-Vs on the road today which shows that they have a good resale value. This is definitely something to consider as you do not want to be stuck with an SUV that is worth nothing when you decide to sell it. Buick offers the Envision with a $339 lease over 39 months, 10,000 miles per year with $4,529 due at signing. Compare this to Honda of a $229 lease for 36 months and $2,799 due at signing. This is a significantly better deal. With this much of a difference in cost, it may not be logical to lease a new Envision over a CR-V.

4.1 Pricing Comparison

The pricing of these two vehicles is quite interesting. At a base price including destination charges, the CR-V is about $1000 more than the Envision. Paying more for a Honda is not only much easier to swallow for most, but expected. After all, Honda is a well-established car brand with great reliability and trust continually built over the past few decades. Buick, however, is more of a hit or miss depending on which demographic you choose to inquire. Normally, one would be somewhat hesitant to buy a more expensive car from a less renowned car company. But when comparing features and amenities, the more expensive Envision matches up well and at times surpasses the CR-V. The key word being "matches", few would be willing to pay more for a car with similar features and still fewer would pay the same for a car from a non-Honda company. All things said and done, Buick made a wise choice on their pricing strategy as it gives incentive for those in the market searching for a luxury SUV. Though it may be hard for some to set their sights on a $40,000 Buick when there are many other options in that price range.

4.2 Resale Value

An important factor in applying retained value to the consumer is to know which specific areas the vehicle has better retained value. This can help save money on the next purchase by spending less on features that do not affect the resale amount. An area that may seem surprising to many is in the engine, which has become a very expensive feature, especially in small and mid-size SUVs. Stepless transmissions allow a vehicle to share the power across the engine's RPM range so is theoretically more efficient, but they lack the feel of a normal automatic or CVT and have a very expensive repair cost so used car buyers shy away from this setup. The CR-V has a regular 4cyl 5-speed auto or 4cyl CVT, all of which have solid reliability and relatively low ownership and repair costs. Meanwhile, the Envision has a stepless 8-speed auto which will cost more on maintenance and ownership and likely won't survive the predicted 15-year lifespan of this SUV's generation. The Envision is at an advantage in some body-related areas such as and it's possible to see competitive resale values on the top of the line trims. It's always a smart move to compare specific model to model values on a vehicle pricing guide when shopping for a used car. Based on the expected value loss over time, it's safe to say a used CR-V will be a cheaper investment than a used Envision.

The Honda CR-V retained 6% more of its original value than the Buick Envision after three years/36,000 miles. On average, the Honda CR-V will be worth 53% of its original MSRP compared to the Envision at 47%. This trend is likely actual trends from prior model year SUVs from both brands but cannot be specifically predicted for the new 2016 model year for either brand.

4.3 Cost of Ownership

Once again, despite the big difference in initial price of the cars, the cost of ownership turns out to be roughly the same over 5 years. Depreciation on the Envision (all models) is a whopping 59% (ouch), and the CR-V is 46% over 5 years. This equates to a depreciation cost of $25,737 for the Envision, and $17,240 for the CR-V, a $844 difference per year. The other costs (insurance, fuel, financing, taxes & fees, maintenance & repairs) for a 5 year ownership period on the Envision are $30,168 (or $6034 per year) and $26,425 on the CR-V (or $5285 per year). Adding the depreciation and the annual costs together, you get a total ownership cost of $31,771 for the Envision ($6354 per year) and $43,665 for the CR-V ($8733 per year). This makes the total ownership cost of the CR-V $1914 per year more than the Envision. This is expected to be so different initially; but interestingly Honda claims in their ad that the Envision's operating cost is only $200 more than the CR-V over 5 years. Unfortunately, the numbers don't lie and the real cost difference is significant. This is mainly due to the huge difference in depreciation costs. The CR-V is expected to maintain a higher resale value through its renowned long term reliability and low maintenance costs, so these ownership costs could start to even out if the Envision turns out to be a reliable long term car. Nevertheless, at this current time the CR-V is far cheaper to own during the first 5 years.