The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Envision doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Highlander and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The Highlander's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 11th.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 18 more horsepower (270 vs. 252) than the Envision's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Envision requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision (19.2 vs. 17.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's front brake rotors are larger than those on the Envision:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Envision (245/60R18 vs. 235/50R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Envision (109.8 inches vs. 107.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Envision.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander's turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Envision's (38.7 feet vs. 39.5 feet).

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Envision can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 44.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envision (144.9 vs. 100.6).

The Highlander has .7 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 4 inches more rear hip room and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Envision.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Envision doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Envision's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is limited to 1500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander's standard front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Envision's front passenger window doesn't close automatically. The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches.

The Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Envision doesn't offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications: