A red 2021 Buick Envision is parked in front of a modern home after winning a 2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Ford Edge comparison.

2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Ford Edge: Which is the More Premium SUV?

The competition is fierce in the midsize SUV market. A midsize SUV has to come out strong with dynamic features and a powerful track record for reliability in order to leave a legacy with drivers. The 2021 Buick Envision and 2021 Ford Edge are strong contenders in this segment for many reasons. SUV drivers are always looking for more premium features while still maintaining a reasonable budget, and nowadays, you don’t have to go to a luxury vehicle to get premium features. Let’s see where the 2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Ford Edge lands premium features, safety technology, and performance.

Premium Lifestyle

We all want to feel special and taken care of in our vehicles. That’s exactly what Buick and Ford set out to do in their two midsize SUVs. Which SUV offers more premium features, though? Bonus points for the SUV that provides more standard features! Buick is known for producing luxury-style vehicles, but Ford isn’t far behind in their top-of-the-line models.

The 2021 Buick Envision has premium vibes inside and out. Its modern and striking exterior design makes it stand out driving down the highway. The available LED headlamps are a small touch that goes a long way in the overall design. The 2021 Envision certainly has the exterior design to hold its own in the premium SUV category.

On the interior, the 2021 Buick Envision is packed with unique luxurious features and finishes. To start, the QuietTuning technology makes it the quietest car ride you’ve ever experienced. It’s one of those features that you didn’t know you needed but fall in love with after you experience it for the first time. The QuietTuning technology is standard on every 2021 Envision.

To go along with your quiet ride, the available massaging driver seat is sure to turn heads. Who says you can’t have a relaxing drive on the way home from a stressful workday? Along with the available heated and ventilated front seats, it will surely feel like a spa day every time you take the Buick Envision for a spin.

Both the 2021 Ford Edge and 2021 Buick Envision have unique gear selectors that add to the convenience, flexibility, and value of these midsize SUVs. The 2021 Envision features an electronic precision button shifter that frees up more space in the center console area and makes for more efficient performance. The 2021 Ford Edge offers something similar, a rotary gear shift. This shifts the gears by turning a dial.

Other notable premium features in the 2021 Ford Edge include LED headlights, an available 12.1-inch portrait touchscreen, and an available hands-free power liftgate. This liftgate works exactly like the Buick Envision’s tailgate – just wave your foot under the rear bumper, and the liftgate opens for your convenience. Ford vehicles may be known for their performance, capability, and toughness, but they have their fair share of premium features. The unique nature of the 2021 Buick Envision features makes them stand out just slightly more.

A blue 2021 Ford Edge is parked in a parking garage.

Standard Safety For All

With almost all new SUVs these days, you will find a suite of standard safety features. This definitely boosts the appeal of midsize SUVs as drivers feel more secure and confident on the road. Ford and Buick are no different, and each offers standard safety features for its midsize SUV. There are also additional advanced driver-assist features that increase the level of convenience for the Edge and Envision.

The 2021 Buick Envision standard safety features include:

  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
  • Intellibeam automatic headlights
  • Forward Collision Alert
  • Front Pedestrian Braking
  • Following Distance Indicator
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Rear Park Assist
  • Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert

This is an impressive list of safety technology features that come standard in every 2021 Buick Envision. The 2021 Envision also has additional features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, HD Surround Vision, and Enhanced Emergency Braking. It’s easy to see the Buick makes safety a priority and gives everyone an opportunity to experience advanced safety features.

In the 2021 Ford Edge, there are four standard safety features available. These include a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps. The 2021 Edge takes care of the basic necessities of safety technology and offers a more advanced package as optional. You can find the Enhanced Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Front 180-degree camera.

Safety technology features are becoming less of a luxury feature and more of the norm. This is great news for the average family wanting to keep their loved ones safe. The variety and detail of some safety features make them stand out as premium, which is what we see in the 2021 Buick Envision. While Ford doesn’t necessarily lack safety features, the fact that the Buick Envision offers more standard features makes it stand out more in this category.

A grey 2021 Buick Envision is driving through a puddle.

Stand Out Performance

No one is looking at the 2021 Buick Envision or 2021 Ford Edge to fulfill their intense high-performance, thrill-seeking needs, but it’s important to have sufficient performance. The 2021 Buick Envision has a new 2.0L turbocharged ECOTEC engine that proves to be efficient and powerful. Using the available intelligent all-wheel drive gives drivers more control and precision. The 2021 Envision even has different drive modes you can choose based on the road condition or performance you’re experiencing.

The 2021 Ford Edge also has a standard turbo 2.0L turbocharged engine. For drivers who want to utilize a sport driving mode in the 2021 Edge, it’s standard in the 2021 Ford Edge ST. The 2021 Edge also has an intelligent all-wheel drive making every road condition more manageable. However, despite their mechanical similarities, the Buick offers noticeably better fuel economy at 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. In the 2021 Edge, drivers can expect around 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.

Both the 2021 Buick Envision and 2021 Ford Edge offer similar standard performance. They both achieve what you would expect from a midsize SUV. Since most drivers of the Envision and Edge aren’t looking to go off-roading, each engine and capability will satisfy everyday needs. The Envision’s slightly better fuel efficiency might sway one to purchase over the Edge. The different drive modes offered in the 2021 Buick Envision increase its versatility in a variety of driving conditions.

Who Wins? Envision vs Edge

Each of these midsize SUVs is incredible in its own ways. You certainly can’t go wrong with choosing either, but the 2021 Buick Envision deserves a second glance. For those who can’t afford a full-on luxury vehicle but are looking for something as close as possible, the Buick Envision is where you should land. Overall, the 2021 Envision has more unique and premium features than the 2021 Edge. The entire design enhances its premium vibe while still providing all the necessary features for an enjoyable drive. In this particular battle of 2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Ford Edge, the Buick Envision reigns as the winner, being a versatile and premium SUV for all.