Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Envision vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared
Buick Envision
Toyota RAV4
Choosing between the Buick Envision and the Toyota RAV4? 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 Toyota RAV4 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Envision is more reliable than the Toyota RAV4, scoring 77/100 vs 76/100.
The Toyota RAV4 and Buick Envision both demonstrate commendable reliability scores, with 76/100 and 77/100 respectively. The Envision has a significant advantage in recall history, with only 6 recalls over 9 years compared to the RAV4's 53 over 8 years. However, the RAV4 boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost of $429, while the Envision's is higher at $573. Despite the RAV4's slightly better owner complaint rate of 4.4 per 10,000 sold versus the Envision's 4.9, the Envision's minimal recall history positions it as the more reliable choice in the long term.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota RAV4 costs $144 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Envision has 47 fewer total recalls
- 3Buick Envision scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Envision vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Envision | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 77/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 53 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $573/yr | $429/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envision and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in the electrical system and air bags, the latter of which has 71 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Buick Envision has fewer overall complaints, with no component category exceeding 23 complaints, and only 3 crash-linked air bag complaints. Both models show electrical system concerns, but the RAV4's issues are more pronounced. Additionally, the RAV4's problem profile is marked by a wider distribution of complaints across multiple components, unlike the more concentrated issues observed in the Envision.
| Component | Buick Envision | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —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 Toyota RAV4?
How Does Buick Envision vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Envision | Toyota RAV4 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82/1000R / 7C | 84/1005R / 49C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2024 | 76/1001R / 10C | 80/1006R / 150C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2023 | 76/1001R / 22C | 80/1006R / 147C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 23C | 80/1006R / 133C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 23C | 73/1006R / 450C | Buick Envision |
| 2020 | 78/1000R / 10C | 70/10011R / 611C | Buick Envision |
| 2019 | 78/1000R / 23C | 66/10010R / 864C | Buick Envision |
| 2018 | 78/1000R / 13C | 76/1003R / 330C | Buick Envision |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Buick Envision scored 82/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Envision vs the Toyota RAV4?
Buick Envision vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?
- 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 Toyota RAV4?
- The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) 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 Toyota RAV4?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.9 for the Buick Envision. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to maintain at $429/year versus $573/year for the Buick Envision.
- Is the Buick Envision or Toyota RAV4 safer?
- Both the Buick Envision and Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4? 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