By comparison

Acura RDX Base price: $36,200 Entry-luxury wagon comes standard with a gutsy 279-hp 3.5-liter V-6. Base price: $34,200 Ford Escape base luxury model comes with up to 285 horsepower. Infiniti QX30 Base price: $34,000 (est.) High style in a hatchback package; platform, turbo I-4 are from Mercedes-Benz. noise-canceling system, that works through the car’s speakers, filters out low-frequency engine sounds much like noise-canceling headphones.

On the practical side, the 8-inch touchscreen is visible to front- and rearseat passengers, and the split-folding back bench can be adjusted fore and aft by a few inches, depending on whether you wish to maximize passenger or cargo space. The stowage bin that’s incorporated into the floor console can hold a horde of valuables.

Buick claims the Envision competes favorably with the segment leaders in stowage room, aided by a fuel tank that’s positioned beneath the front seats. This allows for an extra-low load floor and a rear seat that folds perfectly flat.

Base Envisions — there are five trim levels in total — come with a 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine that makes 197 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a more muscular turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Note that a few wellequipped 2016-designated Envisions with the turbo engine already have started to arrive, while the rest are due this fall.

Both powerplants come with six-speed