Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Buick Envision

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Envision doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

The Forester Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Envision doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Forester and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Subaru Forester ((except Wilderness)) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Envision has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Forester’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 47 points higher than the Envision.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Envision doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the Envision:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Envision requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 49.8 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Envision. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Forester higher (7 out of 10) than the Buick Envision (6). This means the Forester produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Envision every 15,000 miles.

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Envision’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Buick Envision.

The Forester has 10.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envision (110.8 vs. 100.4).

The Forester has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom, 6.3 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Envision doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Envision. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Buick is ranked 9th.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Envision doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Forester has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Envision.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Buick Envision by almost four to one during 2024.