Volvo Introduces the 2025 EX30
Volvo’s 2025 EX30 might just be the bite-size electric crossover that catapults Volvo’s sales into new territory. In addition to a trove of pictures and details, we also have the…
The Buick Envision may not be a household name, but I believe it is the most effective example of what a Buick should be considering its current lineup of crossovers. It has an elegant design, a good amount of space inside, and just enough power to satisfy those who may be coming from vehicles with V6s or higher-performing turbo 4-cylinders. This Avenir trim’s interior is the best interior Buick has ever done, and while it is a heavy thing for being an ICE vehicle, it drives nicely and has a good AWD system. Even if you haven’t heard of it, you should definitely consider it if a Cadillac XT5 is too expensive and rides too harshly for you.
Coming from the era when GM had ties with Opel/Vauxhall in Europe, the Buick Envision ties with the three-row Enclave as the most elegant Buick design today. With a greenhouse that resembles the now-on-hiatus BMW X2, it looks smaller in photos and videos than it does in person. It doesn’t sit too high off the ground and lacks glass behind the second row windows, but its dimensions are actually closer to a BMW X3. The Avenir trim I had my hands on donned a tasteful amount of crown on the window trim and on the accents in the bumper and grille. The Sapphire Metallic blue paint adds a level of presence that the smaller Encore and Encore GX cannot match.
The most notable element of the Envision’s design? Its width. From both the front and rear, this car has some real hips. Buick need not implement a full-width LED taillight bar, as the shape of the existing housings do a good job at accentuating the flare to the areas just above the wheel wells. It is one of the more sensuous shapes in the luxury crossover category, bested only my perhaps the Genesis GV70. Even that could be debated, though.
Inside is Buick’s best effort at a premium interior yet. The infotainment screen is tilted towards the driver. The seats are quilted and some of the comfiest I’ve ever sat in. The materials are generally above and beyond what you expect from this brand. Sure, there’s no leather wrapping on the dashboard or contrasting stitching, but it is still nicer than the larger Enclave or the late Lacrosse. Granted, the top Avenir trim has a few upgraded elements compared to the lower trims, but from a design standpoint, everything is exactly how and where it should be. The only exception? GM still provided a tiny knob up on the dashboard of Buick and Cadillac models to allow you to control the infotainment system, but it is in a somewhat awkward position and never gets used as a result. I would have preferred this to be down in the center console by the shifter.
My tester had the large panoramic moonroof which really helped open up the cabin to natural light. The wood trim on the door panels in both the first and second row had an interesting embossed pattern that helped make up for the fact that it wasn’t real open-pore wood. Second row passengers get heated seats and air vents, as well as USB charge ports. The quilting you find on the seats up front carries over to the outboard positions in the back. If you aren’t wearing a second layer, you will certainly notice the pattern sticking into your backside a bit, but it did not deter me from calling the seats comfy. They really are.
Cargo space is generous when the second row is folded down. The trunk opening is perfectly square and the floor becomes completely flat when the seats are down, maximizing the 52.7 cubic feet of space. This number is about 5 cubic feet less than the previous generation, but is still enough to make a case for springing for the Envision over an Encore GX. That model is not going to feel nearly as luxurious or spacious as the Envision, and will definitely be slower in performance.
The sole powertrain available in the Buick Envision is the LSY 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is available on all trims and was equipped on my Avenir tester. One thing unique to the Avenir trim, however, is the availability of adaptive dampers. This is a feature not found on most of the competition and definitely helps give the Envision a very premium ride quality. Fuel economy is rated at 25 combined with all-wheel drive, 26 if you stick with front-wheel drive.
Since my Envision Avenir was equipped with the Technology II package, the adaptive dampers were also on board. I haven’t driven one of these without them, but Alex has, so go check out his review of the 2021 model year if you’re curious. The elephant in the room here is, unfortunately, the weight of this car. At nearly 4,000 pounds, you can really feel the weight shifting around during spirited driving. Even the hybrid Toyota Venza weighs less than this, and it’s carrying around a large battery pack. As such, I was quickly able to find the car’s limits. Even with 245mm-wide tires and the all wheel drive system, grip to the payment is not exactly magnetic. In general, this is not a sporty driving experience.
In my testing, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took 7.3 seconds. That was with the Sport drive mode turned on, which means all-wheel drive was engaged. That is slower than Alex’s front-wheel drive tester, so if you want the quickest Envision, you’re going to want to get the lighter front-wheel drive model. Thankfully, GM’s excellent 9-speed automatic is here and it does a really good job of being agreeable with your right foot 99% of the time. Braking from 60 mph back to zero took 124 feet. That’s two feet longer than the front-wheel drive model. While this brake pedal is not as firm as some other GM products, you will have to push down a little bit harder than you think you might need to in order to get this thing to come to a complete stop.
You’ll definitely feel body roll in the curves and the lack of true agility, but it’s not boring to drive, per se. The ride, however, is where the Buick Envision shines. The dampers certainly do a good job at adjusting the Envision’s response to blemishes in the pavement. Where the Envision Alex tested allowed small bumps and road imperfections to permeate the cabin, this one is quite successful at nipping them in the bud. This cabin is a really nice place to be out in the highway, especially since its suspension not overly yacht-like. Cabin noise is commendable in this Avenir trim, where I measured the noise at 62.8 decibels. You really only ever hear the engine coming through the cabin when you’re going slow and shifting through the first few gears. After that, engine noise really settles down and becomes very quiet again.
In my 40-mile test loop around Atlanta, I only managed 23 mpg. That is less than what you should expect to get out of the front-wheel drive model, even though I had this locked in front-wheel drive mode. Despite this, I think the all-wheel drive option is an excellent choice because it helps the car avoid spinning the front tires under hard acceleration, all while giving the driver added confidence. Tire choice is always superior to drivetrain choice when it comes to preparing your car for life in inclement weather location, though, so don’t check that box if that’s your only motive.
At the end of the day, the Buick Envision is the best car the brand makes right now. It combines the crossover attributes so many people are after these days with a soft and comfortable passenger experience. The interior is Buick’s best effort yet and the engine’s performance is enough for the majority of buyers. It also is one of the best-looking options in the segment, though that segment is somewhat of a tweener as the Envision falls in-between price categories.
When it comes to the 2023 model year, $33,975 gets you a decently-equipped FWD Preferred trim. Most active safety features are standard on the base model, but adaptive cruise control is only available on the Essence and Avenir trims. All-wheel drive is available on every trim for a hefty $3,650. The White Frost Tricoat paint adds $600, if you’re smitten with that color. A fully-loaded Avenir AWD trim will cost you $48,655. I think that is a pill that folks shopping in this category should have an easy time swallowing, though brand image and cache may be the main thing that limits their appeal for the Buick Envision.
