2021 Buick Envision vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign, following two years of facelifts in 2019 and 2020. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, was sold exclusively in China and North America. The redesign made the Envision lower and wider, giving it a more premium crossover appearance. It featured a sculpted look, more pronounced than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim making its debut in this model year. The Avenir trim included upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels, while the interior boasted leather-appointed seating and a head-up display. The Envision's design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack angled toward the driver, though it had an abundance of piano black plastic that attracted dust.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, pursued a conservative and familiar design path, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While the glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the base model's value, the controls were logically laid out with matte black surfaces and white iconography. The climate system was simple to use, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander's styling was hit and miss, but its practicality and spaciousness made it a strong contender in the three-row SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, this engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the previous model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the weight savings couldn't fully compensate for the power loss. The Envision offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. The 2021 model was more fuel-efficient, with the FWD version achieving 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. The AWD version fared slightly worse. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors. The GM drive mode selector allowed for a Sport mode, but the noise from the turbo engine persisted.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg combined, it could tow up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth, and the electric motors eliminated turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause some vertical and lateral movement. Handling was secure, but the tires scrubbed early when pushed hard. Outward visibility was excellent, aided by cameras, though the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was a minor annoyance.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign didn't translate into improved cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost legroom and hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded. While the rear cargo space was sufficient for daily use, the driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. Small-item storage was typical for the segment, and the Envision offered standard features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel. However, forward visibility was compromised, requiring reliance on parking sensors.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row measured 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The Grand Highlander's spaciousness and practicality made it a strong choice for families, though the rear doors' design posed challenges for child seat installation.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities. The driver could access station and song information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. However, the tech offerings were not particularly advanced or revolutionary.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The system featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS due to its new generation and changed body structure. Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. However, the Envision lacked GM's Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.