History/Overview
Buick introduced the Envision in 2016 as a compact luxury crossover, sized to fit between its Encore and Enclave models and ready to compete for buyers in one of the North American auto industry’s most lucrative vehicle classes.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2021, the Envision is all-new, with more modern styling and a redesigned chassis and underpinnings. For the first time, the Envision is available in Buick’s upscale Avenir trim designation.
Available Trims
Buick offers the Envision in Preferred, Essence and Avenir trims. All three share a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine and a nine-speed transmission. Preferred starts with front-wheel drive that can be optioned to AWD, which is standard in Essence and Avenir.
Standard Features
Preferred trim’s exterior comes dressed with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic on/off LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, LED taillights and daytime running lights, a rear intermittent wiper, remote engine start, and passive keyless entry.
Inside, there are two 12-volt power outlets, a 4.2-inch driver info display, a seven-speaker stereo, a power driver’s seat with lumbar, a 10.0-inch infotainment display, heated front seats, heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, dual-zone automatic A/C, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, active noise cancellation, leatherette upholstery, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Envision’s standard safety and driver assist features are forward collision alert with automatic braking, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high beams, following distance indicator, tire pressure monitoring, and rear park assist.
Essence trim’s additions comprise a power front passenger seat, an 8.0-inch driver info display, heated rear seats, and leather seating.
Avenir brings 20-inch wheels, a 110-volt power outlet, a nine-speaker stereo, navigation, a massaging driver’s seat, front park assist, 360-degree camera views, a head-up driver display, ventilated front seats, and wireless smartphone charging.
Key Options
An Essence trim tech package adds navigation, front park assist, HD radio, a head-up driver display, and a garage door remote.
Avenir’s upgraded tech pack brings adaptive cruise control, enhanced collision avoidance braking, enhanced park assist, a continuous damping control suspension, and a camera-based rearview mirror with washer.
Fuel Economy
Buick’s fuel consumption estimates for the Envision are 10.0/7.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with front-wheel drive, and 10.5/8.2 with AWD.
Competition
Buick hopes the Envision’s new design, platform and features make it more competitive in the compact luxury crossover class, where it competes with a number of popular and well-executed vehicles: the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, the Porsche Macan, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC; the Acura RDX, Lexus NX, and Infiniti QX50 models; the Cadillac XT5 and Lincoln Corsair; the Alfa Romeo Stelvio; and the Volvo XC60.
Mazda is also now reaching into this segment with the well-equipped CX-5 Signature.
