After a chance to catch our breath from driving the 2018 Regal GS, Buick provided a cool-down drive opportunity with the refreshed 2019 Envision crossover SUV, which they debuted literally the evening prior. If you’ve been watching this space, you’ve likely read once or twice about the coming changes to the Buick Envision for the 2019 model year, but the internet as a whole has been quiet ahead of the announcement. Because of the relative silence, Buick was able to stealthily reveal the 2019 Envision to media, and have them drive it immediately the next day. It’s extremely uncommon for this sort of thing to happen, but we’re glad to bear witness.
The changes for 2019 Buick Envision are more than just visual. Armed with a lower MSRP, 35 lb-ft more torque from the 2.0T LTG (now 252 hp and 295 lb-ft), a fantastic 9-speed automatic, more brake boosting, defeatable adaptive cruise control, a tire fill alert, LED lighting, optional 19-inch wheels, and a new stop/start defeat button, the 2019 Buick Envision re-strategizes for a stronger swing at the most competitive segment in the US market right now. And thus, one of the most important segments for Buick. Augmenting the interior highlights is a new cabin ionizer borrowed from the more premium Enclave, a more advanced mirror camera, and a more sophisticated wireless charger for the latest smartphones. It’s still made in China.
More styling substance on the outside should help attract new buyers into the segment, as well as keep those interested in upgrading from their smaller Encore crossovers, so long as they’re willing to make the price jump. A main component in the marketing strategy for the 2019 Envision is to keep current Buick customers in the fold, and along with the welcome updates, strong JD Power IQS rankings and other various quality awards should add wind to Buick’s sails. In the case of the U.S. market, Buick is now an 81% mix of SUV-crossovers. The Encore, Buick’s (aging) entry model, makes up 40 percent of total Buick sales, while the Envision makes up around 19 percent, according to sales data. For a more lucrative mix, it’s important that the 2019 Envision picks up momentum.
With that said, the 2019 Buick Envision has a few headwinds. To be completely frank, it’s hard to overlook what can be a $44,000+ sticker price on a crossover that has basically every touchable interior surface made of plastic, except the leather seats. Especially with the GMC Terrain Denali being sold under the same roof, which at least has brushed aluminum finishes. But being that it’s such a hot SUV market, that may ultimately not matter. Even still, Buick officials admit that there continues to be an overall lack of awareness for the vehicle. That could be either on purpose, in an effort to avoid attention that the Envision is built in China, or simply because there haven’t been any ads about it. We fully expect Buick to finally throw some marketing money for the refreshed Envision later this year, however.
The 2.0L turbo provides perfectly proportionate punches in the 2019 Envision, and compared to the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine, the turbo is far and away the motor to get. The nine-speed trans keeps the low-end torque present, which makes for appropriate passing on the highway just as easy as shooting the gap at low speeds. Most buyers in this space will find its performance to be completely on point.
When it comes to color and trim, we’ve seen signs of greatness from Buick in their flagship models, such as the LaCrosse and Enclave, and we like to think it’s possible for less expensive but arguably more important models like the Envision, and even the new Regal, to provide the same. Maybe Buick is leaving room for an Envision Avenir, but don’t expect one this year.
Looking beyond the choice of interior decor in the 2019 Buick Envision, it’s plenty roomy. That goes for taller types breaching six feet, and the wider types that wouldn’t be caught dead in the middle seat of an airplane. That goes for the second row, as well. The ride is also comfort-forward, as it should be, with most road sensations being buffered right out. Anybody cross-shopping this Buick with a Lincoln MKC or Acura RDX should appreciate that. Those that appreciate the tech suites, the 2019 Envision has everything from Onstar 4G LTE WiFi, to the gamification of Buick Smart Driver’s scoring system. All signs point to the 2019 Buick Envision being the right vehicle, for the right time.
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Comments
Are you sure that is a Buick. It does not say Buick. I bet it does not run right because there is no name on it. LOL!
This should do well as the first was a success. The GM suspension on their CUV models are pretty well sorted and most drive and handle as well as or better than many cars.
Yes the 2.0 is the only real choice here.
I would have the made in America 2018 Buick Enclave that not only is an all-new model, it looks better, performs better, and can be had for around the same price. Plus it supports American jobs, communities, and our future.
Sorry, GM, let the Chinese have this model that was designed for China.
Factual correction: the Envision was not “designed for China”. It was designed by Buick/GM globally for global markets, including China and North America. Europe would have also gotten it if not for the association with PSA and the resulting Opel Crossland.
So no, the fact that the car is made in China doesn’t mean that it was solely designed for that market.
Perhaps next you’ll tell us that the Japanese-made Toyota Land Cruiser was “designed solely for Japan”, since it’s made there… or that the Movado watch was made solely for the Swiss since it’s assembled in Switzerland… or that the fifth-gen Camaro was only for Canadians, since it was produced in Canada. The list goes on, with items such as iPhone, the keyboard you typed your comment on, my hockey sticks, etc and etc.
Again, not supporting or otherwise undermining the fact that the car is made China. Simply stating the facts.
Are we gonna have to suffer through 3 weeks of boilerplate, tier 2 Buick ads (20 sec of ‘idea’, special offer @ end) through the entire NCAA tourney?
Same music, same C+ ‘ideas’, big sell @ end … good oppty for Buick to refresh the brand (nameplate or not), a la Cadillac, but it just feels like the same-old.
Kinda lazy, ‘people buy our SUVs’ approach … and that music – 4 years of it? Maybe more? C’mon …
We’ll who knows… maybe it’s working. Maybe not.
I’ll tell you this: consistency of a good thing is a good thing.
General Motors should have developed a twin-turbo variant of the LTG; an electric turbocharger to get instant boost at low engine rpm and then a larger turbo unit to squeeze out more power as this would solve the desire to get a naturally aspirated engine with less power.
GMAuthority seems to be trying really hard to sell this car. Multiple stories in a short time span. Might have something to do with the poor sales the first gen received and now this slightly enhanced version probably wont do any better given it looks worse.
Or maybe it has to do with it being made in China when there are much better (2018 Buick Enclave, anyone?) made vehicles built in the USA for around the same money. Americans are really starting to see the importance of supporting locally made product that brings quality jobs back to America, invests in local communities, supports your local mom and pop restaurants, etc. Buying this just employs Chinese, not Americans, from factory workers to engineers to support industry staff in China, and it puts the money in the pocket of the Communist Chinese government which is never a good thing. Plus, almost all profit GM makes goes back into operations there or held in offshore accounts.
Sorry, Buick, but let the Chinese build this vehicle for the Chinese market only. It is time to buy American again, especially when vehicles like the Buick Enclave are just so much more appealing and better overall.
Sorry to burst your conspiracy theory, Brent, but GM Authority isn’t “trying to sell” anything, including the Envision.
A few facts for you to mull over:
1. GM Authority is not in the business of selling any cars. We don’t benefit one bit if more Envisions go out the door or not.
2. GM Authority is an ad-supported publication created and run by professional journalists with actual standards of ethics and integrity. We are not at all associated with GM or its brands, partners or other stakeholders. None of us own any GM stock.
3. One aspect that GM Authority aims to deliver daily Is to obsessively cover the latest GM news. We do so according to the news cycle, which we do not control.
So in regards to us covering “multiple stories in a short time span” associated with the Envision, I’d recommend wrapping your mind around what the term “news cycle” means… and then basing a fair and well-thought-out comment on that.
4. It’s you who is pushing the anti-Chinese mind set, not GM Authority. It is not up to us to promote our opinions about whether this car being made in China is a good or bad thing. Surely, the staff here might have their own opinions on the matter… but that is certainly not the purpose of a first drive review. To the contrary, the purpose of these is to share information about the product, rather than promote some form of a political-economic ideology.
You’re always welcome to write to me directly via email (see the about page) and we can have a level-headed dialogue if you don’t agree with something in my comment. But doing so here takes away from the actual product-based discussion, which is the purpose of the article you’re commenting on.
Might add they pretty much sold out as they could only import a limited number since this was a big seller in China.
None of my local dealers have many or any on the lots.
The update was more due to China as it was on the market there first and is an older vehicle
They really don’t need GMA’s help on this model.
Now you would have an argument it they did continued stories on the Lacrosse.
Hard plastics and lackluster exterior design do not make a Lexus rival and the price point is out of sight! GM must be making a huge margin due to low labor cost, too.
I really like Buick but see brands like Infinity, Volvo or even poor man lux Mazda winning this round.
It will be curious to see how sales of this updated model play out. It still looks very similar, makes you buy the highest trim level to get the 2.0T and 9 speed , which can top out over 50K, and then their is the China thing which people today are more aware of than ever before.
And can somebody tell me what the difference between the Envision 1SV and Preferred is besides Buick only offering it in white exterior paint? The Buick site is listing the identical same equipment for both despite a price difference of 1875.00.
Buick should produce a hybrid or EREV model for both the U.S. and China markets.
My pet peeve on all GM and even very high-end cars is, the use of hard plastic (I call it raw plastic) ,I went to the Auto show and was surprised at cars $50-70-100 thousand dollars, and still have some hard plastic on the B-pillar and seat -end covers .Also other places ,that your hand touches! If you want a car free of visible hard plastic, you have to go over to a 200 thousand dollar +Bentley!!! T.Y.
what other material would you like to see other than hard plastic –did you see the crappy plastic in the Camry .. the sales of this model should be soring and there not upper middle class is not even looking .. – Buick needs to fix their option packages – you can get higher end safety items standard on lesser import models –interior colors are drab — way to expensive –and made in China . Have it made by American hands and address some issues and it could be successful —
I agree with Tom G the use of hard plastic on the trim of a Toyota is fine , not on a Buick they should at least use soft touch (padded vinyl ,or ultra suede) on areas above your hip zone when seated ! My old 91 Buick ultra has very little hard plastic on the dash or trim panels everything is covered in vinyl or cloth (except the fake wood trim!) Toyota does have a lot of safety features Buick should offer the same safety features standard at the price they are asking!
Our 2016 Envision Premium is in the body shop due to being hit by an irresponsible non-citizen adult driving with an expired Learners Permit drivers license (only in Florida of course). We had an Equinox as a rental vehicle for 4 weeks and could not stand this noisy, underpowered junk. Now we have a 2018 Buick Enclave until this Monday when we get our car back.The Enclave is very familiar to us (we had 2 prior to the smaller Envision) and the 9 speed is great but it feels like we are driving a big boat; our Envision has totally spoiled us by being 21 inches shorter/ 6 inches narrower and handling much better! This in spite of the older design Envision being almost 400 lbs. heavier that the new Enclave (in part due to the 4WD). I guess my wife and I are oblivious to this “hard plastic” situation…who really cares when you are driving?
Yes the MSRP is crazy high on these cars but they offer big discounts if you negotiate properly. Have anyone noticed the outlandish option prices on many German cars???
Did I mention that we would have had our Envision back 2 weeks ago but one part (front parking sensor wiring harness) was on back order. Crazy.