Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-5: Reliability Compared
Buick Envision
Mazda CX-5
Choosing between the Buick Envision and the Mazda CX-5? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mazda CX-5 currently leads with an average score of 83/100 compared to 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-5 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Buick Envision, scoring 83/100 vs 77/100.
The Mazda CX-5 outperforms the Buick Envision in terms of reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to the Envision's 77/100. Although the Envision has a lower recall count with 6 compared to the CX-5's 11, the CX-5 has a slightly higher owner complaint rate of 5.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Envision's 4.9. The CX-5 also benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $447, compared to $573 for the Envision. Overall, the Mazda CX-5 offers a more reliable ownership experience, particularly with its lower repair expenses.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-5 costs $126 less per year to repair
- 2Mazda CX-5 scores 6 points higher in reliability
- 3Buick Envision has 5 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-5: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 77/100 | 83/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 11 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.9 | 5.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $573/yr | $447/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 6 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 exhibits a higher number of overall complaints at 986 compared to the Buick Envision's 131, with significant issues in the engine and electrical systems, each having over 100 complaints. Notably, the CX-5's electrical system has 7 crash-linked complaints, while its vehicle speed control and air bags each account for 11 crash-linked complaints, indicating potentially severe safety concerns. In contrast, the Buick Envision's most reported issue is the electrical system with 23 complaints, but it has fewer crash-linked incidents overall, with the air bags category having the highest at 3. The CX-5 shows a broader distribution of problems across various components, with a particular emphasis on safety-related complaints, whereas the Envision's issues are fewer and less frequently crash-linked.
| Component | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 1.5Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Envision or Mazda CX-5?
How Does Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-5 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-5 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77/1001R / 0C | 94/1000R / 0C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2025 | 82/1000R / 7C | 82/1003R / 25C | Tie |
| 2024 | 76/1001R / 10C | 84/1001R / 53C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2023 | 76/1001R / 22C | 81/1002R / 96C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 23C | 87/1000R / 50C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 23C | 83/1000R / 129C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2020 | 78/1000R / 10C | 86/1000R / 94C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2019 | 78/1000R / 23C | 75/1002R / 229C | Buick Envision |
| 2018 | 78/1000R / 13C | 71/1003R / 310C | Buick Envision |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Buick Envision scored 82/100 and the 2026 Mazda CX-5 scored 94/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Envision vs the Mazda CX-5?
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-5: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Mazda CX-5?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-5?
- The Mazda CX-5 has more recalls (11) compared to the Buick Envision (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-5?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.6 for the Mazda CX-5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-5?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-5 is cheaper to maintain at $447/year versus $573/year for the Buick Envision.
- Is the Buick Envision or Mazda CX-5 safer?
- Both the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-5 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Envision and Mazda CX-5? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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