Buick exists today as a semi-premium brand that sells small or midsize SUVs, and the Envision sits in the upper half of its model range, well above the Encore and Envista GX but below the flagship Enclave. Buick's "QuietTuning" chassis refinement and sound isolation, standard 30-inch curved display, stylish interiors, and unique front fascias position the Envision above equivalent Chevrolet models, but it’s not really at the level of rivals from BMW, Lexus, or other luxury brands.
Produced over two generations since the 2016 model year, the Buick Envision was the second car sold in the U.S. to be made in China, and continues to be built by SAIC Motor in Shanghai. In any year, the Envision offers a four-cylinder engine, available all-wheel drive (AWD), a comfortable ride, and generous standard equipment.
Buick Envision Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Buick Envision Generations
- Buick Envision Second Generation (2021-Present)
- Buick Envision First Generation (2016-2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Buick Envision years are the best?
The Buick Envision has a generally good record for reliability, with comparatively few issues noted on sites such as CarComplaints.com. There are fewer problems with second-generation models, however, and these are much more stylish than the first-generation cars. For maximum value, we’d recommend a pre-facelift (2021–2023) second-generation model.
Which Buick Envision years are the worst?
Any first-generation Envision is the worst from a styling perspective, as their van-like shape and technology have aged poorly. As for performance and reliability, they're fine.
Is a used Buick Envision a good deal?
Yes, a used Buick Envision can be a good deal. The Envision had an average list price on CarGurus of around $25,000 at the time of writing, which included late-model vehicles that carried original prices above $40,000.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Large, simple displays (second generation)
- Turbocharged engines
Cons:
- Dated styling and technology (first generation)
- Not quick or unique enough to justify the price when new
- Short on true premium appeal
Buick Envision Generations
Buick Envision Second Generation (2021–Present)
Introduced for the 2021 model year, the second-generation Buick Envision looked like the upmarket SUV it had tried to be all along. The body was lower and wider than the first-generation car's, and the interior was dramatically better. There were sportier-looking trims, too, yet the price ($32,995 to start) stayed at a reasonable level.
Both engines from the first generation were dropped in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that made 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission carried over, but with a new electric gear selector on the column. Fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city and 31 mpg for front-wheel drive (FWD) models and 22 mpg city and 29 mpg for AWD models. Larger 18-inch wheels became standard, with 20-inch wheels optional. Cargo space was reduced to 25.2 cubic feet, or 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The 2021 Envision was not rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including for the front crash tests. The 2021 Envision came standard with the Driver Confidence Plus package, which included front pedestrian braking, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. LED headlights were also standard.
The 2021 Envision reduced the number of trims to three (Preferred, Essence, Avenir) and AWD was optional with all of them. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, while heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate were taken away from the base Preferred trim. The Essence added those plus the larger touchscreen, an 8-inch display in the instrument panel, an air ionizer, remote start, and a heated steering wheel. The Avenir came with cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a massaging driver's seat, navigation, leather upholstery, a nine-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless phone charging. A panoramic moonroof, Amazon Alexa, adaptive cruise control, and adaptive dampers were optional. A Sport Touring package on Preferred and Essence added darker trim accents and dark 20-inch wheels.
For 2022, Buick added ST logos on models with the Sport Touring package plus metal pedal covers, along with a new paint color, Sapphire Metallic. For 2023, White Frost Tricoat and Moonstone Gray Metallic were added. The 2024 Envision received a dramatically new front end, with a modern style similar to that of other Buick models. The interior received a new dashboard with a 30-inch display as standard and updated infotainment software, and FWD trims were dropped. For 2025, remote start became standard and two new colors were added. For 2026, two more new colors replaced two existing colors.
As of spring 2026, new prices for the Buick Envision started at $42,995 (including destination) for the Preferred, $45,495 for the Sport Touring, and $52,695 for the Avenir. Listing prices on CarGurus for used Envision models from 2021–2025 ranged from $22,000 to $30,000.
Buick Envision First Generation (2016–2020)
The Envision was introduced in mid-2016 to fill the sizable gap in Buick’s SUV range between the subcompact Encore and the three-row, full-size Enclave. Sharing a chassis and powertrains with the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, the Buick Envision became the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in America.
It was initially available in Premium or Premium II trim, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and AWD. The engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, made 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel economy was estimated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. While the tall roof allowed for generous headroom, the exterior styling was drab and leagues away from that of the Lexus NX, the Audi Q5, and other compact luxury SUVs that Buick claimed were the Envision's competitors.
Standard equipment for Premium trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, power heated front seats, a power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker Bose stereo. Safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. Extras for the Premium II trim included xenon headlights, a head-up display, cooled front seats, navigation, and automatic park assist.
For the 2016–2020 model years, the Envision scored the maximum Good rating in five crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but was never awarded a Top Safety Pick, and its driver-assist features were rated as the lowest "Basic" level. The Envision received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, despite earning only four stars in the frontal test.
For 2017, Buick expanded the Envision lineup to include five cheaper trims, many of which came with front-wheel drive paired with a 2.5-liter inline-four with 197 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. For 2018, AWD became standard on the Preferred and the Essence, but only the Premium and Premium II came with a special front suspension (called Hi-Per Strut) that could counteract the effect of torque steer (when the steering wheel tugs to one side under hard acceleration).
The 2019 Envision received a mild refresh with a new grille insert (with chrome bars extending from the Buick logo), restyled bumpers, and new 18- and 19-inch wheels. Xenon headlights became standard, while Premium trims offered LED headlights. All trims came with LED taillights. A nine-speed automatic transmission was now paired with the turbocharged engine, and due to customer complaints across the General Motors lineup, Buick added a switch to deactivate the engine auto stop-start system. The brake booster was retuned for less pedal effort, the heated seats got hotter faster, a new microphone improved audio quality for phone calls and voice recognition, the backup camera was a better resolution, and there was a new wireless charging pad. An air ionizer was included, plus an alert to assist with airing the tires to the correct pressure.
There were no changes for 2020 aside from swapping two paint colors. Average list prices on CarGurus ranged from $12,000 to $19,000 at the time of writing.
