2026–27 Buick Envision vs Honda CR-V: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the CR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–1.5 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,520 vs $41,300) and better 5-year value retention (66.3% vs 43.3%). Choose the Envision if you want the most power (228 hp vs 204 hp).

Scorecard: Envision 1.5 pts · CR-V 5 pts across 7 scored categories.

The scorecard

Envision vs CR-V scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2026 Envision2027 CR-VWinner
Starting MSRP (2)$41,300$31,520CR-V
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)—0.50No data
5-year value retained (1.5)43.3%66.3%CR-V
Best EPA combined (1.5)25 mpg40 mpgCR-V
Most horsepower available (1)228 hp204 hpEnvision
Max towing (1)1,500 lb1,500 lbTie
Cargo behind rear seats (1)—39.3 cu ftNo data
Standard seats (1)55Tie
Median discount verified buyers got (1)—5.7% off MSRPNo data
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)24Envision
Weighted points1.55CR-V

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: the CR-V — 40 mpg vs 25 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Family. Families: it's a wash — Envision 5 vs CR-V 5 (standard seats).
  • Budget. Tight budgets: the CR-V — $31,520 vs $41,300 (starting MSRP).
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the CR-V — 66.3% vs 43.3% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Envision 1,500 lb vs CR-V 1,500 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

The Envision starts at $41,300 and tops out at $50,700; the CR-V runs $31,520 to $42,950 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CR-V buyers paid a median 5.7% off MSRP across 49 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off.

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Envision: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • CR-V: 0.50 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 63th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Envision 2, CR-V 4.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Envision 2021 (solid), 2022 (caution), 2023 (caution) · CR-V 2016 (solid).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Envision vs CR-V specifications
2026 Envision2027 CR-V
Starting MSRP (base trim)$41,300$31,520
Top-trim MSRP$50,700$42,950
Horsepower228 hp190–204 hp
Max torque258 lb-ft179 lb-ft
EPA combined25 mpg29–40 mpg (hybrid avail.)
Max towing1,500 lb1,500 lb
Seats (standard / max)5 / 55 / 5
Cargo behind rear seats—39.3 cu ft

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Envision lists for a median $21,214 — 43.3% of today's median new price of $48,943. A 5-year-old (2021) CR-V lists for a median $24,626 — 66.3% of today's median new price of $37,127.

Shop both

Negotiating either one?

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More on the Buick Envision

Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Envision better than the CR-V?

On our data, no — the CR-V comes out ahead. Our pick: the CR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–1.5 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,520 vs $41,300) and better 5-year value retention (66.3% vs 43.3%). Choose the Envision if you want the most power (228 hp vs 204 hp).

Which is more reliable, the Envision or the CR-V?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Envision and 4 for the CR-V.

Which holds its value better, the Envision or the CR-V?

The CR-V: a 5-year-old example lists for 66.3% of the new price, versus 43.3% for the Envision, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.

Which is cheaper, the Envision or the CR-V?

The CR-V starts lower: $31,520 vs $41,300 starting MSRP (before destination).

Which has better gas mileage, the Envision or the CR-V?

The CR-V: up to 40 mpg combined vs 25 mpg for the Envision (best EPA rating across each lineup).

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Buick Envision vs Honda CR-V: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/buick-envision-vs-honda-cr-v, updated November 8, 2026.