Buick Envision Compact Crossover gets refreshed
When Buick announced the Envision for the U.S. market for the 2016 model year, it marked a milestone for the American auto industry. Buick needed a crossover between the small Encore and the large Enclave and found production capacity for the new Envision in China. American workers growled. Buick worried that all some corners of the automotive press would talk about was the model’s country of origin. But more than two years down the pike, the Envision has done well for the marque, and it currently stands as its third-bestselling model. With a flurry of new product in its lineup, Buick decided the Envision was in need of a refresh.
STYLING TWEAKS, HIGHER TORQUE PEAK
As far as the exterior goes, not much has changed, and the Envision now looks a bit outdated compared with the rest of the brand’s portfolio. The grille has gained a couple of horizontal wing-a-ding bars to align it with the rest of the Buick lineup, the headlights have been upgraded (to HID lamps on naturally aspirated cars and LED units on the turbo models), and the taillights got smaller and a smidge more modern-looking. Under the skin, however, GM has made more substantial improvements. Most notably, Buick adopted the new
nine-speed automatic transmission that General Motors codeveloped with Ford.
The stronger gearbox allowed Buick to turn up the wick on the available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which gains 35 lb-ft of torque, upping the peak output to 295. Horsepower remains at 252. Buick claims this is good for a 0.4-second decrease in the zero-to-60-mph time. The last Envision we tested, with the old six-speed automatic and the less torquey turbo four, made the run to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, so the revised powertrain should put the compact ute into the middle to upper sixes. The base naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder carries over unchanged and is still paired with a six-speed automatic.
Inside, Buick added an air ionizer to the HVAC system, said it improved the seat heaters, and added a switch to shut off the auto stop/start system — a capability that has been missing on many thus equipped GM vehicles of late.
The driver now also has the ability to switch between adaptive cruise control and regular cruise control — useful for poorweather days when sensors get caked with schmutz. There’s also a fab little wireless-charging slot in the center console; our test phone, an iPhone 8 in a rather bulky Pelican case, fit right in and charged without fuss.
IT COSTS LESS!
Best of all, the added refinements come with a price reduction. Depending on trim, buyers can save between $1400 and $2400 over the previous models. The base Envision starts at $32,990, while Essence-trim models begin at $34,495. Step up to the Preferred level at $36,795, or choose between the $41,695 Premium or the $44,595 Premium II. The 2019 Envision hits dealers this spring.