Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fourth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 5 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

On the EPA test cycle the Envista gets better mileage than the Equinox:

The Envista stops shorter than the Equinox:

For better traction, the Envista’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R17).

The Envista Preferred’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LT/ACTIV’s standard 65 series tires. The Envista’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Equinox RS’ optional 50 series tires.

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .82 G’s, while the Equinox RS AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Envista Sport Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Equinox RS AWD (27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Buick Envista may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Envista can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Equinox can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 3% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Equinox doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Equinox doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Envista, based on reliability, safety and performance.