Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared
Buick Envision
Mazda CX-9
Choosing between the Buick Envision and the Mazda CX-9? 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 Buick Envision currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Envision is more reliable than the Mazda CX-9, scoring 77/100 vs 76/100.
The Buick Envision edges out the Mazda CX-9 in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 79/100 compared to the CX-9's 76/100. While both vehicles share the same number of recalls, the Envision has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 0.9 per 10,000 sold versus the CX-9's 15. Despite a slightly higher estimated annual repair cost for the Envision at $573 compared to the CX-9's $539, the Envision's lower complaint rate makes it the more reliable choice. Both models share similar common issues, but the data suggests the Envision experiences these problems less frequently.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-9 costs $34 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Envision has 10.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Envision scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 77/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.9 | 15 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $573/yr | $539/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.6/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-9?
The Mazda CX-9 exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with notable issues in the engine category, accounting for 95 complaints, which is significantly higher than the Buick Envision's 10 engine-related complaints. Additionally, the CX-9 has a concerning number of crash-linked airbags issues, with all 4 complaints resulting in crashes, compared to the Envision's 3 crash-linked airbag complaints. While the Buick Envision has fewer total complaints, it experiences a higher proportion of issues in the electrical system and service brakes compared to the CX-9. Both vehicles have crash-linked power train issues, but the CX-9's overall problem profile is more heavily weighted towards engine and airbag concerns, highlighting potential areas for safety improvements.
| Component | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 5.7Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| Chest Clip | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
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-9?
How Does Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Envision | Mazda CX-9 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 76/1001R / 22C | 81/1000R / 12C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 23C | 81/1000R / 9C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 23C | 77/1001R / 35C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2020 | 78/1000R / 10C | 78/1001R / 19C | Tie |
| 2019 | 78/1000R / 23C | 73/1002R / 52C | Buick Envision |
| 2018 | 78/1000R / 13C | 66/1002R / 125C | Buick Envision |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Envision scored 78/100 and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Envision vs the Mazda CX-9?
Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?
- Based on our data, the Buick Envision is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-9?
- Both have 6 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-9?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Mazda CX-9?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $573/year for the Buick Envision.
- Is the Buick Envision or Mazda CX-9 safer?
- Both the Buick Envision and Mazda CX-9 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-9? 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue