It fills in Buick’s lineup between the smaller Encore and larger Enclave, but we’d forgive you if you weren’t able to envision the Buick Envision.
It slid into Buick’s lineup with little fanfare, but the compact Envision SUV is a very important product for the brand. It’s already outselling Buick’s sedans and is nearly matching the larger Enclave.
It’s built on the same platform as the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, but its base price is thousands more. That means it needs to offer things the others don’t, as well as provide value that its siblings can’t.
The standard engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four cylinder. At 197 horsepower and 192 lb-ft, it offers surprisingly good power across the range.
The Envision is based on the smaller and lighter platform that underpins the 2018 Equinox and Terrain, not the older, longer and heavier one that the 2017 models were based on. That means the engine has less to move around and does it better.
If that’s not enough, a 2.0-liter turbo four, which makes 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft, is available. The upgraded engine also has a new all-wheel-drive system that uses clutches to send up to 100 percent of the power to the front or rear axle – versus 70 percent for the base system – as necessary.
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The 2.0-liter also brings GM’s HiPer Strut front suspension that uses a variation on the MacPherson strut that reduces understeer. Both engines use a quick-shifting six-speed automatic, and both have start-stop engine shutoff.
The Envision comes standard with leather-appointed seating. Leather-appointed is marketing code for leather on the edges with a cloth insert in the center of the seat back and bottom. It’s a good combination between the look and feel of leather and the breathability of cloth. The seats are heated on the base Preferred trim, but ventilation comes with the Premium II group.
The infotainment system uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen running Buick’s latest Intellilink software. It offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with OnStar with 4G LTE hotspot. Buick’s Intellilink system is quick, smooth and easy to use. It does a better job of controlling your iPhone through CarPlay on the first try than some other brands.
Navigation is available with the Premium and Premium II trims, but all models have turn-by-turn directions through OnStar that work nearly as well. Or use your phone’s maps through the 4G hotspot.
The instrument cluster uses Buick’s current trademark font and blue dials. They’re clear and easy to read, even at night. The Envision comes with the full-color driver information display standard. It’s an extra cost on the Terrain and Equinox, but a must-have compared to the microwave-look display that is standard on that pair.
Premium trim Envisions get a full-color 8.0-inch info display in the dash. It replaces the middle analogue gauges with digital and configurable ones. It looks cool, and it gives you more info you need without taking your eyes off the road. Helping keep your eyes up longer is the head-up display also on the top trims.
The Envision has a spacious and well-equipped cabin. There is lots of room in the front and plenty of room for even the largest rear-seat passengers. The rear seat reclines and folds flat, but doesn’t remember the previous position when you fold it. So it comes back up to a strange forward-angle position, forcing you to re-set the backrest angle each time.
This is an incredibly quiet vehicle inside. Buick uses acoustic glass, active sound cancellation, triple-sealed doors, additional sound isolation, hydraulic engine mounts and more to keep it silent. Without actual measurements, it felt noticeably quieter than the Mercedes E-class coupe I drove just two weeks before on the same roads.
On the road, the Envision feels more like an Audi than a Buick. The steering is a touch over-boosted, but it’s quick to turn in. The Envision absorbs massive bumps with little drama, but also handles smaller humps and whoops without launching you off of the other side or taking what feels like an eternity to settle down. It feels smaller than it is on the road, which is both reassuring behind the wheel and more comfortable.
The Buick Envision drives well, it’s well equipped, and it’s dead silent. However it lacks much in the way of presence. The styling is bland overall. There are some interesting details, like the Buick shield in the headlights, but it is otherwise lacking in visual appeal. That goes for the inside and outside. The styling in and out are both adequate. But there’s no pop.
When it comes to its own GM siblings, the Buick Envision is quieter and better equipped but has less visual appeal than the Equinox or Terrain.
If you want maximum ride comfort, the Buick Envision is for you. If you want something with the latest style and flair, then you probably won’t see past the looks to get to the excellent compact crossover in a brown paper bag.
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