Buick Envista vs. Honda HR-V: Which Small SUV Fits You?
The Buick Envista starts about $1,500 below the Honda HR-V and gets better city mileage, with a turbo engine and a regular six-speed automatic. The HR-V answers with available all-wheel drive and noticeably more cargo room. If you’re cross-shopping the two around Monroe, here’s how they compare on the numbers both manufacturers publish.
Photo: a 2026 Buick Envista Sport Touring from our Monroe inventory.
Envista vs. HR-V by the numbers
We sell the Envista, so we have a side in this. That’s why every number below comes from the manufacturers’ published figures, and why we’ll tell you where the HR-V comes out ahead. We compare the 2026 Envista, which is on our lot today, with the 2027 HR-V, the newest model Honda sells.
| Spec | Buick Envista | Honda HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price, incl. destination | $26,495 (2026 Preferred) | $28,050 (2027 LX) |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder | 2.0L 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower / torque | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | 158 hp / 138 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive only | FWD standard; AWD available (+$1,500) |
| EPA mpg, city / hwy (FWD) | 28 / 32 | 26 / 32 |
| Cargo, seats up / folded | 20.7 / 42.0 cu ft | 24.4 / 55.1 cu ft |
| Touchscreen | 11-inch, standard | 9-inch, standard |
Prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices including destination ($1,795 Envista), excluding tax, title, license and options. Dealer prices vary. Sources: Buick and Honda published pricing and specifications via Cars.com, accessed 11/4/26.
Lower price, more torque, better city mpg
The Envista costs less to get into, makes more torque at lower rpm thanks to its turbo, and is rated 2 mpg better in the city. It uses a conventional six-speed automatic, which some drivers prefer to a CVT, and has a larger standard touchscreen. Its long, low shape also gives it a sportier look than most small SUVs.
All-wheel drive and cargo room
The HR-V offers all-wheel drive on every trim, which the Envista doesn’t offer at all. It also has more horsepower and about 30% more maximum cargo space. If you regularly haul gear or want AWD for wet back roads, those are real advantages.
Which one fits how you drive?
Choose the Envista if…
You drive mostly in town and on the interstate, want the lower payment, like a responsive turbo and a regular automatic, and don’t need all-wheel drive.
Choose the HR-V if…
All-wheel drive is a must, or you need the extra cargo space for strollers, sports gear or a big dog.
Envista vs. Nissan Kicks
Our side-by-side on the Envista and the Kicks.
What an Envista really costs
Price, fuel and insurance for an Envista in Monroe.
Drive both, then decide
Test drive an Envista at Jim Taylor Buick GMC, 500 N 18th St in Monroe. Open Saturdays, closed Sundays.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Envista cheaper than the Honda HR-V?
Yes, at the starting point. Including destination, a 2026 Envista Preferred starts at $26,495 and a 2027 HR-V LX starts at $28,050, a difference of $1,555. Actual prices depend on trim, options and current offers.
Does the Buick Envista come with all-wheel drive?
No. The Envista is front-wheel drive only. The HR-V offers all-wheel drive on every trim for $1,500 more, so if AWD is a must, the HR-V is the one of these two that has it.
Which has more cargo space, Envista or HR-V?
The HR-V. It has 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 55.1 cubic feet folded, compared with 20.7 and 42.0 cubic feet in the Envista.
Which gets better gas mileage?
In front-wheel-drive form, the Envista is rated 28 mpg city and 32 highway, and the HR-V is rated 26 city and 32 highway, per EPA figures published by the manufacturers and Cars.com.