Introduced in the United States market for the 2016 model year, the Buick Envision has catapulted Buick into a very competitive position in the compact premium crossover space. And for the 2019 model year, it is getting some updates and changes that should make it even more desirable among its competitive set, according to changes we managed to scrape from the order guide.
Mechanical
The 2019 Envision only sees one mechanical change: the replacement of the 6-speed auto with the new GM 9-speed transmission.
The change is limited to the Premium trim levels (1SN and 1SP); the base (1SV), Preferred (1SD) and Essence (1SL) trim levels continue with the existing 6-speed transmission.
Exterior
The 2019 Envision ditches the Midnight Amethyst Metallic color in favor of Satin Steel Gray Metallic, maintaining the crossover’s exterior color choices at six.
More notable is the introduction of LED lights for the compact CUV. The rear gets a new set of LED tail-lamps with low-profile design while the front sees the introduction of Bi-LED units on the Premium (1SN and 1SP) trim levels. For the 2016-2018 model years, the Premium II trim level (1SP) featured articulating projector beam high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, while the Premium I model was equipped with halogen lights. The base (1SV), Preferred (1SD), and Essence (1SL) trim levels get projector beam high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps as standard equipment in place of the 2016-2018 model’s composite halogens.
What’s more, the single-outlet stainless steel exhaust on the base (1SV), Preferred (1SD), and Essence (1SL) trim levels (paired with the base 2.5L engine) is replaced with a hidden, turned-down exhaust.
And finally, two existing 19-inch wheels are replaced with two other designs:
- LPO-level 19-inch ultra-bright machine-faced wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets replaced by 19-inch aluminum wheels (LPO)
- 19-inch, 10-spoke aluminum with premium Manoogian Silver finish wheels replaced by 19-inch aluminum wheels
Strangely absent from the change list is the replacement of the monochrome Buick logo with the tri-color logo that has been making a comeback on new Buick models. Even so, we expect the 2019 Envision to get the tri-color logo.
Interior
On the inside, the 2019 Envision replaces the Ebony (seats) with Dark Plum (interior accents) color combination with Dark Galvanized leather-appointed seats with Ebony interior accents.
It also replaces Ice Blue interior lighting with White, seen on the instrument panel and front door trim.
Finally, an ionizing air cleaner, Tire Fill Alert and Wireless Cell Phone Charging are added to the 2019 Envision.
A Word About The Changes
As mentioned above, we compiled these updates from a dealer order guide for the 2019 Envision, which means that these updates:
- Have yet to be officially announced, and
- Can change at any time prior to the launch of the 2019 model year, especially as it relates to the Buick logo and any potential updates to the grille or fascias
In addition, photos of the 2019 Envision are not yet available and will be released as we approach the launch of the 2019 Envision.
More Information & Reporting
Assembly of the 2019 Buick Envision will continue being facilitated by GM China at the GM Dong Yue factory.
Buick Envision information:
Comments
Will 9 speed AT be the max for fwd?
No idea what you’re asking… could you clarify?
Will automatic transmissions peak at 9 speeds for fwd cars and cuvs? The industry had 3, 4, 6, 8, now 9. Will this be the end or will we see further developments in the AT?
My personal take is that we will sit at 9 speeds for a while… though I’m sure it will continue on to 10, 11, 13, etc. after that.
Actually I believe GM will max out at 9 for fwd/awd and 10 for rwd. They mentioned before that after 10 speeds the diminishing returns of the extra weight and complexity aren’t worth the investment. Especially considering that electric drivetrains can be transmission free or use a 1 speed.
This is true given the current limitation of the gearsets… but does not take into account future innovations in the space.
Remember in 1999 when many thought that the 6-speed was the bee’s knees and we would not advance past it? “How many gears do you need” was the prevailing question. Same thing here.
EVs might be a long ways off before we can truly count on them as being mainstream products, even with GM’s EV focused roadmap.
You’ll be seeing electric transmissions very soon, they will replace the geared transmissions that you are familiar with.
The Volt’s 5ET50 transaxle has continuously variable gearing due to the traction motor, so instead of more gears, more shift points, more parts, and costlier assembly, use the 5ET50 and convert the Envision to a plug-in hybrid. It is the “perfect automatic transmission” from GM, the world’s best transmission builder.
What about the new Buick family grille instead of the old waterfall? Tell me the new grille will be added!
We address this in the “A Word About The Changes” section in the article.
As far as the logo goes, maybe it stays monochrome as even GM wouldn’t be so thoughtless to put the ole’ red, white, and blue on a Chinese import.
Really? So if we follow that train of thought, should the origin of the vehicle somehow impact its logo?
In that case, Chevys made from Korea or Mexico should have a bow tie that’s not gold or black?
Why does it matter where a car is built? The emblem on the hood is the only thing that should matter
Well, Buick officially refers to it as red, silver and blue. Also, the Chinese spec model has the full color emblem, so I don’t think you’re on the right track here.
I have a feeling that we will see the new grille, and red white and blue emblem too. There have been spy shots of this.
But really GM, why only six exterior colors? Don’t replace, ADD!
6 interior colors! How many of them do you need? I think 6 is just about right!
6 exterior colors is very little. A regular GM vehicle has about 10… some more.
I have a feeling that this is related to the constraints at the factory where it’s made… though this is a nothing more than a hunch on my end.
They are getting rid of the coolest color, and opting for another Grey…boo…i have geen wanting to purchase a new suv fr 3 years-waiting on an interesting color, like deep purple plum, or dark teal, nope, juat snother shade if grey ir black…enough already..us ladies need color in our life-wake up GM, you are missing a huge group of buyers out there, just waiting for sweet colors…?i specifically didnt purchase thee envision, because it has that feature where it shuts off when you are at a stop, and it cant be disabled…i def do not want or need that feature…
For what its worth the colors red, white and blue are not the sole property of the United States.
I am excited about these changes. I think I want to buy one.
There are many nations that are older than the U.S and use those three same colors, starting from the British “Union Jack”.
it needs the new Buick grill ,,new interior and exterior colors ( whats with all the dead colors) AND IT MUST BE BUILT in THE USA
The Buicks assembled and sold in China sell better than the U.S. built models, yet GM (a U.S. company) gets the profits, so they are “American”. Or do you believe that Hondas and Toyotas built in the U.S. are “American”? I hope not!
I don’t give any credit to foreign companies masking cars in the US. They are still foreign cars and should not be considered domestic sales!
Brian, I just bought for my business a Made in Tennessee Nissan over a Mexican Ford and I’d easily do it again. I would never, ever consider a Chinese GM vehicle. Buying a Nissan is much more patriotic than buying a Buick Envasion. We are not living in 1982 anymore. If Buicks were still designed and built in America then I would certainly give them preference but just because historically Buick was a US carmaker means nothing today. They are now a repository brand for GM products built worldwide. Cascada is a Polish-made Opel. The Encore is another Opel but Made in Korea. The Envasion comes from China. The Regal from Germany. This isn’t your grandfathers Buick anymore. Buick is as much a foreign carmaker now as Nissan.
People like you just don’t get it! You have to follow the money! If a foreign company makes a car here then those profits still find there way back across the ocean!
But people are to blind to see that!
Any new safety features such as pedestrian detection?
Why not eliminate the 6 speed automatic transmission across all trim levels for the 2019 Buick Envision and make the 9 speed automatic standard?
What is wrong with people? Don’t they understand the idea of offering a premium offering? Base models get the 6 speed, premium get 9 speeds!
I think the LED headlamps and 9 speed auto give the Envision some street cred now. Too bad the 9-speed will only be on the higher end trims. I think GM wants to make the Envision a luxury CUV to be reckoned with.
Buick ( GM ) needs to get alittle more creative with their exterior colors . Silver is really getting boring as there are so many GM vehicles on the road with that color . Save it for their fleet sales . Some Earth tones would be nice , dk. brown , dk. Jadestone green , and a teal blue metallic instead of the basics that are always offered . They have actually used these colors in the past . And they could give up on purple as it seems only to survive for a single model year before being pulled .
The Envision needs to get the new grill and colored tri-shield and join the rest of the family and LED’s all around .
Selling 30,000+ units on an annual basis is going to put pressure on GM to move production to the States . I know the UAW is watching these sales very closely while they have members on layoff right now .
The reason only the Premium trim getting the 9 speed is that is the only model with the 2.0T engine. Buick should at least offer it as an option on the Essence trim, especially with AWD.
Other changes they really need to make- offer more than one paint color on the base trim and quit punishing people for choosing it and offer more than one interior color on base and Preferred trim levels.
Any chance that the Auto Stop feature will be discontinued – or at least introduce a way to disable it – in 2019 or 2020? I really love my 2017 Envision Premium II, but that Auto Stop feature is the absolute worst. I become upset every time I drive because of it; it’s very annoying. I’ve been told that I’ll get used to it – I won’t, not a chance. Everyone who rides with me dislikes it very much, as well – family, friends, and colleagues. I’m leasing, and despite coming from a GM-loyal family and having always owned and driven GM vehicles, there is no way that I’ll get another Buick or GM vehicle again if it has Auto Stop (or no way to disable it). It wasn’t doing it when I signed the lease because it was 100F outside and the AC was on Lo and High. It’s been very disappointing because if it weren’t for this one feature, I would have zero complaints about it. Beautiful inside and out and runs very well so far. I’m already having to use and pay more for Premium fuel in it, so this notion about the feature helping reduce fuel use (it doesn’t, by the way) and saving money is a silly argument for having the feature.
This dumb argument again! You won’t get use to it because you don’t want to! These systems are not annoying! They are seemless and actually the best start stop feature in the automotive world. GM shouldn’t change just because of you.
So what’s your deal? So the car shuts off, how does this have any effect on you the driver? It doesn’t make riding in the car any different. While sitting at a light the car shuts off, when light turns green once you take your foot off of the brake engine starts and car drives off. What’s to be annoyed about!
If you turn the volume on the radio up and you drive around you can’t even tell when it comes on or off.
I don’t know why people are bothered by This! If this is what you hate about the car then that means GM has made a great car. It’s pathetic that people like you can’t see that!
I have owned one for years not one problem with the system!
Cynthia has the Chinese version of stop/start. It’s likely not as good .
It’s the same system! That argument is ridicules!
I’ve been watching on YouTube the refreshed Buick Envision already available in China. Although I don’t understand the language, there appears to be some new buttons – tour and sport buttons, a hill descent button, an off-road button (in a row, together with the traction control button) and what is likely an automatic stop start off button (beside the automatic parking button). The exterior mirrors also appear to be power folding (may be a button for this or they may automatically fold when the vehicle shifts into park).