Compared: 2023 Buick Envision vs. 2023 GMC Acadia
It's cost against capability as two of GM's premium SUVs face off.
GMC/Buick
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Under General Motors' umbrella of classic American brands, Buick and GMC are both renowned for their tasteful and relatively affordable SUVs.
Here, we'll compare two of their most popular family-haulers: the freshly facelifted 2023 Buick Envision, which boasts the better fuel economy of the pair, and the well-equipped 2023 GMC Acadia, with its wider selection of drivetrain and powerplant options.
Read on to compare the pros and cons of each and to find out which might be the better option for you.
GMC
2023 Buick Envision vs. 2023 GMC Acadia: Price
Although the two vehicles are similarly equipped, the Acadia commands a higher price. With a 228 hp, turbocharged, 2.0L, four-cylinder engine under the hood, the base-model Acadia starts at about $38,000. By comparison, the least-expensive Envision, which is powered by the same 228 hp, turbo inline-four, starts at around $35,000.
The Acadia is available in four trims, with the top configuration being GMC's well-known Denali package, starting just above $50,000. Buick’s corresponding top-level trim, the Avenir, starts at around $47,000 and is offered in three trims.
The GMC has a clear advantage when it comes to additional packages, however. Both vehicles can be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) for an additional $2,000, but the two higher-most Acadia trims also feature an upgraded 310 hp, 3.6L, V6 engine. The Buick offers only the four-cylinder base engine across all tiers.
Buick
2023 Buick Envision vs. 2023 GMC Acadia: Features
The GMC pulls away again with an advantage in available features. The Acadia seats six, with an optional seventh seat available, while the Buick is limited to five occupants. The Acadia also is suited to more adventurous outings, with 79 cu.-ft. of cargo space and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 lbs. The Envision is more conservative, with 52.7 cu.-ft. of storage space and a 1,500 lbs. towing capacity.
Despite the lower cost of entry, the top-of-the-line Envision does have a handful of smaller touches that the more expensive GMC can't match, such as a massaging driver's seat and a panoramic sunroof. Both vehicles feature the standard set of modern safety features, including pedestrian detection and smart cruise control, so ultimately the difference might come down to how much you value the Acadia’s additional cargo and hauling capability.
2023 Buick Envision vs. 2023 GMC Acadia: Fuel Economy
Mileage is another area where the Buick comes out ahead. In its standard AWD four-cylinder configuration, the Envision scores an EPA-rated 25 mpg in combined driving. Meanwhile, a similarly specced GMC in front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration manages a slightly higher 26 mpg combined. The GMC's optional six-cylinder engine hurts these numbers further, reducing the combined mpg in FWD configuration to 22.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
