Due to launch in the summer of 2016, the all-new Buick Envision appears to have everything to be in the sweet spot of the premium luxury crossover segment. Yet while Chinese customers have not only had the opportunity to check out the new compact crossover in person, but to also buy them in droves, those in car buyers in North America haven’t been as lucky. So we thought it a good idea to take a closer look at the exterior of the new CUV.
Taken as a whole, we would describe the exterior design of the 2016 Envision, which is based on GM’s new D2XX platform, as athletic, elegant, and (at times) even dramatic, thanks to its chiseled character lines. Shall we have a closer look? Yes. Yes we shall.
1. Sculpted Headlamps
Stretching both vertically (towards the wheel well) and horizontally (in the direction of the grille), the Envision’s headlamps deliver a dramatic and sleek appearance. LEDs make that “wing” shape that has become part of the modern Buick–Opel-Vauxhall design language while the headlamps’ darker lenses add to the mystique and sporty aura of the front end.
In China, the Envision offers retractable, high-pressure headlamp washers. Unfortunately, we don’t expect the feature to make its way to North America.
2. Waterfall Grille With Colored Buick Tri-Shield
The Envision features Buick’s tried-and-true corporate waterfall grille. And though initial images show the U.S.-market crossover wearing the Tri-Shield badge in monochrome, something tells us that the production-intent version will have the shield in the recently-revised red, white and blue hues.
Interestingly, the Envision does not use Buick’s new corporate grille design introduced by the all-new, 2017 Buick LaCrosse. This is not an omission, but rather a byproduct of the development and market launch cadence. Despite launching in North America at roughly the same time, Buick completed developing the Envision roughly 18 months before the new LaCrosse, electing to launch it in China first (in the end of 2014).
But fear not: a mid-cycle refresh should equip the Envision with Buick’s new corporate grille.
3. Integrated Roof Rails
Cleanly integrated into the Envision’s roof are two chrome roof rails, enabling owners to install base carrier bars and customize them in order to transport skis, snowboards, bikes, kayaks, or cargo carriers.
4. Character Lines
The Envision’s profile features two primary character lines: the first creates a distinct “fold” in the body shape while integrating the door handles. In fact, the handles are positioned right on top of this line, with the handle for the rear door being slightly higher than that of the front. The design “just works” from any angle, and the handles feel like they simply “belong” in their places.
The second line begins at the outside edge of the headlight, flows over the wheel well, and then intricately creases into the forward portion of the front door, tapering off at the distal end of the rear door. The line equips the Envision with a significant amount of dimensional presence.
5. Portholes
The Envision has three portholes on each side of the hood. In the past, this would have been Buick speak for a six-cylinder engine, but the Envision is powered by a turbo-charged inline four-cylinder motor (the Turbo 2.0L I4 LTG). Alas, the linear correlation between the amount of portholes and engine cylinder count is no more. But it still has three portholes, nonetheless.
6. Large Wing Mirrors
Look closely, and the door-mounted wing mirrors are large. There’s honestly no way around it. But the design works. As do the sleek turn signal indicators integrated into them.
7. Front Vanity Windows
Love ’em or hate ’em, the front vanity windows — the small window immediately in front of the main front window — is a by-product of moving the wing mirrors from the A-pillars to the doors. And the trend is here to stay thanks to the ever-important necessity to squeeze every single cd of resistance from a vehicle’s body. On the Envision, those vanity windows are quite prominent, though they fit in well into the overall design.
8. Rear Spoiler
The Envision features a unique rear spoiler that integrates seamlessly into the exterior design. In fact, Buick states that it’s not just for show, but actually improves the car’s aerodynamic qualities.
In fact, look closely and you will notice that the spoiler actually wraps around the entire top portion of the liftgate. Most of the spoiler is finished in the color of the vehicle, while the outboard edge of the horizontal portion as well as the vertical pieces are black.
9. LED Taillights With Chrome Accent
The sculpted, high-tech LED taillights extend from the edges of the lift gate and aft into the rear fenders. And just like the headlamps, the taillamps feature the Buick-Opel-Vauxhall “wing” element.
The lights are connected horizontally by a prominent chrome accent strip, a design trait that GM Authority has come to unofficially refer to as the ass-brows (trademark pending being contemplated).
10. Dual Exhaust
Despite the Envision cradling the boosted two-liter inline-four, it still features two chrome-tipped pipes at the rear, delivering a complete and proportionally-balanced appearance.
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Comments
While General Motors’ CEO Mary Barra has suggested that the 2016 Buick Envision will be a niche market vehicle and reason for why it will be imported by a GM factory in China instead of building a factory in the US; this is something that General Motors said about Buick’s Encore when it was introduced yet the Encore and it’s Chevrolet Trax twin have a combined sales of over 11,000 units in November 2015 which is why GMC has voiced an interest in a variant meaning the Buick Envision could be a major hit with sales being 5,000 units per month because this is a very attractive vehicle fitting between the Encore and the Enclave.
I agree, they will sell every single one they import. It seems to have the right mix. I’m curious if it will eat into Encore sales. I’m assuming an approximately $5K difference in price for comparable models, not that much for more room and better performance. Time will tell.
I’d think the Envision would cut into the current version of the Enclave.
And compete with the CR-V, MX5, etc.
But as you said, time will tell.
To be honest I really don’t think they know what to expect here. It is difficult for us to predict too as we still don’t have a price.
With this you have not only the other models at Buick but the coming GMC, Chevy and Cadillac to contend with. I am sure they will sell as many as they can but just how many is that?
The Chevy Nox sells like 260,000. The Terrain sold 84,000 and those are just off the top of my head and approximate. Now price the Buick higher than the Terrain just how many would it sell. 30K? 40K? 50K? If you could tell GM they would love you.
But it still comes back to Chin buying 150,000-200,000 units vs. our possibly if all goes right buying 40-50K.
The real questions here is what will sell and what will not sell and how to build it and make money. Add to this how much more will this segment grow. It is still expanding at a rate not seen in decades since the first Mini Vans.
Also how much being made in China will effect sales. Most people will not care but there is an element that will. But predicting the numbers would be difficult. I don’t see a major impact but what if I am wrong would you want to be on the hook for importing more than will sell? especially since they could have sold them at a larger profit in China.
It will be interesting to watch.
I am really watching to see what happens with GMC’s Terrain as it will be in the same dealer how will people chose there.
Also factor in we will see another SUV between the Nox and Traverse as well a GMC version and Cadillac version. Is it FWD/’AWD or RWD/AWD? How much for that one and where will the sales come from?
Wouldn’t Terrain be the GMC variant?
I agree this vehicle is the next Encore and GM well knows it. Buick is quickly shaping up into a SUV brand.
If your asking if Terrain would be the variant since omegatalon mention GMC wanting a variant I think he was saying GMC wants a Trax/Encore variant. Otherwise yup Terrain would be the GMC Envision variant once the new gen Terrain and Equinox arrive.
Like he said the New Terrain will be pretty much the same vehicle in most of the dealers since most Buick dealers are GMC too.
It remains to be seen just how different it is.
Does it matter how different the vehicles are aside from design and interior touches?
I’m convinced that GMC and Buick each attract unique buyers with GMC demos leaning heavily male/Professional Grade in terms of employment.
They could to a certain point.
But we all know how much trouble GM got in for badge engineering the W bodies and Delta bodies etc over the years.
They really need to make a physical difference vs just a marketing difference.
If you note most Terrains are bought by or driven by women. Professional Grade applies to all genders and not always about a guy with a hammer.
The Chrome Accent on the rear is awful looking.
it looks terrible on most automobiles.
It looks ridiculous on the first gen Cruze and on most Asian makers automobiles also.
Yeah the chrome is supposed to give the cars a classy look???….I suppose?
The shape of the side profile is a bit pedestrian; almost reminiscent of a minivan. But the front fascia is quite handsome. Plus I like the body sculpting. And that chrome strip across the rear hatch is a bit much, but it’s not overbearing. All-in-all I think it looks good. If the anxiety over the Envision’s Chinese roots don’t keep potential customers away, I can see people being attracted by the styling.
I don’t think America gets the color tri shield.
Vanity windows, is that what they’re officially called now? I fail to see the vanity aspect, as they visually ruin any vehicle with them.
They’re deal breakers for me. Or rather, I won’t accept a car with them.
Scott3 believe me there are enough people / customers that are going to care that these SUV’s are being built in a communist country . Even though most of the things we buy these days are built there , automobiles are a different story . It was after all the American auto industry that helped create the middle class . And it is the second biggest item that a consumer will buy .
The sad part is that the American population has a short attention span , while those of us feel that this exporting of an American nameplate is totally wrong in every aspect and that GM should get bad press for making this move . There will unfourtuanatly something else happen in this country that will fill the airwaves and all of this will be swept under the rug . But it will be up to the educated consumer that will look at the window sticker and see the assembly point and walk away . GM has plenty of other offerings in that segment for those folks to consider . Or jst maybe they will be so disappointed in GM for doing this that they buy from another company . I really think that it will come down to what part of the country you live in as to just what kind of an impact this will have .
So it is a mistake to write off the American consumer that is already fed up with Chinese made goods flooding our market . That is how Walmart exists , buying all of these cheap goods that folks love to buy because its cheap .
And then there are the rest of us that will do their level best to buy an item with the ” MADE in AMERICA ” sticker / label .
You are correct on short attention spans. Most will never know and the majority that do know will not car as they trade in an imported car for one anyways.
You hold major flaw to your argument. Everyone complains about China imports but they still sign up for a COSCO membership. You so know what that stands for?
China Ocean Shipping Company, better known as COSCO
Sorry but Americans abandon the American MFG for many reasons and one really big one is cost.
Sure GM could set up a line here build the low number here vs importing them. Then the price would go up and then you would complain that it was priced the same as a Cadillac.
GM is damned if they do build it here as it would add to the price you would pay and then they would be damned if they import it. There is no win and the only choice is to import it and take a shot. To be honest they have nothing to lose here as most of these are sold in China anyways.
Like it or not China is tied to us and us to them. Just walking away is no longer an option as we can no longer build many of the things here nor will many of the people pay the price for them if they are made here.
You can continue to raise wages here but the dollars will have to come from the consumers pockets and they don’t like that.
The Easy ride is over here in America and we will need to learn how to be competitive all over again and really learn how to work again.
It is a shame when one of the largest employers anymore is our own local and national governments. They don’t produce anything and that adds nothing to our economy. Hell they can even vote into office the people who will give their unions what they want. But yet it adds nothing to fix our economy or trade deficit.
Trust me I am all about our country and all about not helping China any more than needed. But I also know what the hell is going on and there is a lot more to this than just building something here anymore.
Today with global corperations you need to take care of them as even if they do not make it here the money comes back here. Honda Nope, Toyota Nope, Hyundai made here but the money goes back to Korea.
If GM imports some car at least the money comes back here in the end. That is the way it works anymore and pouting where something is made is not going to change that.
Same for Canada. The CAW needs to learn from some of the UAW locals here. GM has more capacity to move production back here in the states if the union will work with them. These locals have learned to negociate and get a fair deal for both sides. If they want more work up north they need to learn to do this or work with their govemrent to get the money values to where it is a better deal.
Sorry business is not about pay back if is hard nose grind it out survival. You make money or you lose investors. GM stock is doing ok but should be doing better. A few mistakes not making profits like they have and they could lose the value they hold now. Make better profits then they gain more strength. Many of the workers know this as they own stock and make more money when GM value goes up.
As to your Walmart statement. Everyone in this country wants to be a millionaire but they all want to shop at Walmart. That just does not work and in times like this people are trying to get the most our of the money they have. The dollar does not buy what it used to and it will only get worse.
The sad thing is I know many people that are millionaires. That used to be something special. Today it means little as a million really means nothing anymore. Once used to be able to quit working if they were invested with a million but today you have to work even with that amount sitting there as you will need it in retirement and you need the health care.
There is just too much to answer this in this formate. While I agree with you in my heart my head tells me that rejection of imports no matter where is only a dream. This train is leaving and if you want to remain competitive you need to find a seat. That is where we are at. We have lost the edge and need to find a new path to the future, High tech and development is the path not MFG anymore. Getting educated and doing what the Chinese can only steal vs do is where you win.
Also I would recommend any skill trade you can do with your hands. There is a great shortage.
The real truth is if you want to make money get into politics. I saw locally here the mayor of a town of 250K has a cabinet that they all make 6 figures for doing next to nothing. The part timers see 75-80K. That is where the money is if you can look the public in the face and not show shame.
You have COSCO confused with COSTCO, so it seems you are not aware what that stands for.
They are 2 totally different things.
Can any of you good folk shed some light on if/when the Envision will be sold in Europe?. It would be a great Antara replacement.
It is possible it could end up there at some point but as of now I have heard of no plans yet. It may hinge on if production is opened some here else as China may not be able to make much more if the sales remain strong in their market.
Now if they say start building them here when this platform arrives with the Nox there may be an opening to export them from NA.