Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Buick Envista

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-5 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Buick Envista doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-5 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Envista doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mazda CX-5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Envista doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-5 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Buick Envista, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-5	Envista
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.4 sec	1.3 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Buick Envista which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Envista doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-5 has a standard Rear Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Envista doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CX-5 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Envista doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The CX-5 Premium Plus has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Envista only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Envista’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Envista and the Envista’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The CX-5’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 Envista doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-5 and the Envista have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 719 pounds more than the Buick Envista. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-5 is much safer than the Envista:

	CX-5	Envista
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Envista:

	CX-5	Envista
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	476
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.46 in	1.57 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	1227 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	424
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.57 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Envista is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The CX-5’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envista’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-5’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Envista’s camshafts. If the Envista’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (187 vs. 137) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 162) than the Envista’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Buick Envista:

	CX-5	Envista
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.6 sec	32.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	80 MPH
Top Speed	116 MPH	112 MPH

The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envista (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-5 has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Envista. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For more complete vehicle control the CX-5 has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Envista doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

For better stopping power the CX-5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Envista:

	CX-5	Envista
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.3 inches

The CX-5 stops much shorter than the Envista:

	CX-5	Envista
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Envista has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 flat and controlled during cornering. The Envista’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Envista (110.7 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Envista.

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Envista’s (60% to 40%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Envista’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The CX-5’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Envista w/18-19” Wheels’ (36.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The CX-5 has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envista (106.5 vs. 97.5).

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 6.6 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envista.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Envista’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envista with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 20.7 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envista with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 42 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Envista’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Envista’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	Envista
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	36.1”/72.4”
Max Width	57.5”	53.7”
Min Width	41.3”	41”
Height	33.9”	27.3”

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CX-5 Premium Plus’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Envista doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CX-5 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Envista has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Envista doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s standard Entry/Exit Assist glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Envista doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Envista doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Envista’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

On a hot day the CX-5’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Envista can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Envista’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-5 has a standard rear wiper. The Envista doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Envista’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium Plus has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Envista doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has standard extendable sun visors. The Envista doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the CX-5 Preferred/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Envista’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Buick Envista offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-5 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Envista’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the CX-5 and the Envista offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Envista.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Envista doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The CX-5’s 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. The Envista doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the CX-5 and the Envista offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Envista doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the CX-5 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Envista doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Buick Envista, the Mazda CX-5 Preferred/Premium eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains 57.6% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.18% resale value of the 2026 Buick Envista after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Buick Envista, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Buick Envista by over two to one during 2025.