2017 Buick Envision: First Drive
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The Buick Envision may be the most important product in Buick’s lineup since it broke barriers a decade ago with the then-all-new Enclave 3-row crossover.
No, it’s not the Avista. No, it’s not the Avenir. Nor is it the return of the Grand National, or the Skylark. Truth is, these vehicles have a snowball’s chance of ever emerging onto the market with the way things are, as much as we would like to see them. Yet, the Buick Envision is an overdue entry into the hottest automotive segment in America right now. Therefore, this C-segment crossover is a necessity for the TriShield’s growth.
This may paint a bleak picture for the cynics, who may label the Chinese-built Envision as a rush job. But after sampling the 2017 Envision, both with the base 2.5L and turbocharged 2.0L engines, it’s safe to say that the 2017 Buick Envision is just the crossover America needs.
From every Buick vehicle we have ever driven in the past decade, they all execute a trio of core competencies. They are: a comfortable ride, elegant styling, and being near-soundproof quiet. If you’re looking for an athletic take on crossovers, look elsewhere. If you want one of those spindle-grilled rides with designs seemingly inspired by alien tech, look elsewhere. To Buick’s advantage, many people simply want a spacious, soft means of premium transportation.
Simply being the passenger in the 2017 Buick Envision is refreshingly relaxing. The front seats are nearly memory-foam-plush, and there was plenty of cabin width as to where I never had to worry about my widened frame rubbing elbows with my co-driver, who was much taller than I. Personal space win!
In the second row, there was also an impressive amount of leg room, even sitting behind somebody who is over six feet tall. However, taller rear occupants may discover a lack of headroom, at 38.5 inches, according to Buick. The tapered roofline is likely aerodynamically influenced, which is the ongoing trend these days. My “average human” height didn’t have to worry about it, but anybody over six feet seem to risk rubbing up on the overhead lining. Compensating for this are two USB ports and rear heated seats, which also recline, because this car was meant for second-row comfort by design. Even more impressive, even with all-wheel-drive, the 2017 Buick Envision has a flat floor, meaning that it’s absent of a transmission tunnel. Lastly, the trunk space stands at 26.9 cubic-feet with all the seats up, which equals to soooo many grocery bags. Even the cargo gets a personal space win.
The interior is modern in appearance, but we have to dock it for the feel of it all. The main culprit? Too much plastic, in our opinion. Since the conception of this very website, we’ve always believed that Buick deserves all the attention to detail that other luxury makes bring to the table, including Cadillac. At least on the higher trim levels. Maybe that will change someday, but right now, the MSRP on a loaded Buick Envision makes us want more attention to detail as it stands.
The MSRP of a highly-equipped 2017 Buick Envision with a 2.0L turbo and all-wheel-drive will come to a surprise for many of you – it’s nearly $50,000, and can creep into the mid-$50,000 range with just about every option box ticked. It’s not alone, however. A loaded Lincoln MKC can also come within the mid-$50,000 bracket. Japanese makes field similarly priced crossovers, and German luxury CUV entries are even more expensive when optioned out. This is the reality for the compact luxury crossover market, and we don’t think the pricing is going to affect the pent-up demand for this crossover, which starts at $34,990. Buick may not have the cache of a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW, but then again, with its messaging as an including and approachable brand, the 2017 Envision is not looking for that kind of attention.
The 2017 Buick Envision offers two powertrains, each with start/stop tech: a 197-hp, 192 lb-ft 2.5L four-cylinder base engine, and a 252-hp, 260 lb-ft 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder for those looking for a little more spunk. They’ll do for 99 percent of buyers, and to that end, Buick’s Quiet Tuning magic does a great job of hushing the NVH levels of both powerplants, each mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. These days, with some entries sporting dual-clutch units and others with more gears, the six-speed doesn’t come off as cutting edge in the American market. Making us forget all of that was our experience of it being a rather smooth operator, and a smart one at that. We always found ourselves in the right gear on every hill we were climbing, as it held revs all the way up and over the undulations on our driving route between Albany, NY and Pittsfield, MA.
On the more advanced side of things is the 2017 Envision’s optional twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system on Premium level models, which provides a variable torque split of the engine’s available twisting forces – up to 24 percent per wheel – based on where the traction is. Sounds handy for the snow, if you ask us. Also aiding in the ride-and-handling department is a HiPer Strut front suspension system on 2.0T models, which does a damn fine job of minimizing torque steer when putting the pedal to the floor. Stopping the Envision took some adjusting with a spongier brake feel than expected, and the steering weight was a little bit lighter than we wanted it to be. The Buick Envision doesn’t pretend to be an athlete of sorts, though, so make of it what you will.
On the tech side of things, the 2017 Buick Envision stands out with available OnStar 4G LTE – now with a signal strength indicator – two USB ports in the front, two aforementioned USB ports in the rear, a 12-volt outlet and a 120-volt plug. The optional sound system is a seven-speaker Bose audio unit, and of course, there’s both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So not only is it comfortable, but the connectivity aspect will help keep those darned rugrats quiet in that second-row, or something like that. The overall tech is another shining quality of the 2017 Envision, as is the comfort aspect.
With the premium crossover segment being so saturated these days, it makes the sector one of the most perilous corners of the market. With that in mind, the 2017 Buick Envision is armed with its tried-and-true qualities of comfort, styling and quiet tuning to hopefully cut its way through the clutter. It should do fairly well, and we can’t wait to see where Buick – a brand that has launched four new or refreshed models in the US market this year – goes from here.
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need to make the roofline more upright so there will be more rear head room…..I can’t get over the weird styling on cars these days.
Is this built on the same platform as the new Acadia?
Manny how does this really compare to something like the Equinox/Terrain in driving and ride wise?
I believe that all three share the same platform and basic body shape. Now is the time for GM to convert these three to EREV versions, using the Volt’s powertrain and the Bolt EV’s floor mounted battery.
Design language is a blend of mainly Opel with Chevrolet touches meaning that this could be a real global, Captiva-like player. I love the exterior more than key rivals which is always half the battle for me.
My other issue and question is handling?
LOVE this vehicle. I’ve had an Envision for a few months now. Very smooth ride, great get up and go, plenty of passenger room, even for larger passengers, and in general am very pleased with its performance. This comes after almost buying a lexus
I hate the sloping beltline and wedged shap profile.
All the modern CUVs have this shape, and the imports are even more sloped.
Rye, I take it, the Hyundai Veloster is not your cup of tea. 😉
Maybe the Ford Flex is more to your liking? or an old Scion xB? Maybe an old Volvo wagon is up your alley.
With a D2XX underbelly and European styling, I struggle to understand why G.M Europe climbed into bed with Peugeot to produce it’s own compact crossover, instead of just using this as its European entry, barking mad!
I like that the Envision is a smooth, comfortable CUV with decent legroom and cargo space. The tech is also pretty good. Umm…..that’s about it. The rest of it simply doesn’t appeal to me in any way, shape or form! I think I’d fancy the newly-revealed Equinox or maybe even a Ford Edge Sport over this! This Envision just screams boring! The styling looks 10+ years old already! But I guess Buick customers like boring all over their vehicles. In that case, the Envision will do just fine!
I reckoned that you had not seen this vehicle in person. I think it is beautiful and elegant looking; more so if seeing it in person which I am waiting for.
It reminds me of a 5 year old BMW design.
the CUV I like is the Acura MDX. it doesn’t look weird and sloped like other CUVs.
Why don’t you just take the CR-V lol?
No updated Buick grille – with wings and three colors emblem?
Like on new 2017 LaCrosse and updated 2017 Encore?
Encore got the new styling, why that’s not the case for Envision?
Seems odd and inconsistent to me.
Too bad it’s being assembled in CHINA or I would own one
It is a global economy nowadays. Supporting American made vehicles is one thing but if an American product is built in China, what difference does that make? Sounds like you are really liking this vehicle but refuse to buy it because it is made in China. Just a silly reason, IMO.
Looks like a Saturn vue redline back in the day……
I can see myself owning this vehicle if in the market. I am beginning to like CUVs more and more thanks to advancement in technology, advance car-like interior design, beautiful exterior, fuel efficiency which is close to small to midsize family sedan nowadays and good to excellent driving dynamics in general with superior interior volume with increased ride height.
Cadillac needs a compact crossover under the XT5 and I can’t wait what this vehicle comes about within two years.
Having lease two 2017 Envisions I can say my wife and I very happy with them. Great ride, lots of get up and go and has just about every technology you can think of. As for maded in China, who cares. The profits come home to America. Where do to think the Honda’s and Toyota’s profits go?
Country of manufacture aside this is a fairly solid product with generic exterior styling and non defeatable stop/start as it’s main weaknesses.
We picked up a slightly used(3,000 miles) 2016 Premium ll with every option that would have listed at $49,320 for $35K. Having a 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport Platinum that list at $70,000, this new Envision is just as well built and luxurious.
The current 2017 Preferred are $27,000($10,000) off at midwest dealerships…quite a deal as it would be quieter than and more refined than any CUV in the mid-$20’s.