The upcoming “baby Enclave” that we discovered last month is not the only new Buick crossover in the brand’s future. Based on research performed by GM Authority, General Motors is working on another all-new Buick CUV that will expand the brand’s utility portfolio beyond the Encore, Envision and Enclave.
Program Code E2UB
We have recently discovered that GM is developing a future Buick crossover under the E2UB program code, which deciphers as follows:
- E2: E2 platform
- U: crossover utility vehicle body style
- B: Buick brand
Notably, the E2 platform is the basis for the recently-launched Cadillac XT4, which was assigned program code E2UL (where L stands for Cadillac, since C is reserved for Chevrolet).
Positioning
Despite this future Buick crossover sharing its bones with the Cadillac XT4, it will be positioned to occupy a different vehicle segment.
An IHS Automotive document obtained by GM Authority states that the E2UB model will be a D segment vehicle. In that regard, it will slot above the C-segment Buick Envision but below the upcoming mid-size Buick crossover that we’ve termed baby Enclave.
Though we have yet to spy a prototype of this future Buick crossover at the time of this writing, we can still surmise a few things about its size.
We have reason to believe that this upcoming Buick CUV will sport the same, 109.4 inch-long wheelbase as the Cadillac XT4. That’s roughly one inch longer than that of the current, first-generation Buick Envision. And that brings us to its length.
We also believe that this Buick model will be longer than the XT4, partly because the XT4 is positioned as a C-segment vehicle, while its hypothetical Buick platform mate will be in the larger (and more premium) D segment. Because of this, we believe that the new Buick crossover will likely be longer than the XT4, much like the GMC Acadia is four inches longer than the Cadillac XT5, despite both sharing the same C1 platform.
Ultimately, we predict a length of about 185 inches for this future Buick crossover. That size will enable this new Buick crossover to slot above the Envision in size and price but below the forthcoming midsize Buick crossover (the baby Enclave).

2019 Buick Envision

A prototype of the upcoming “baby Buick Enclave” midsize crossover
Enspire Concept
Buick itself may have signaled the size and design direction of the E2UB with the Enspire Concept that it unveiled earlier this year in China. Though the brand did not disclose the concept’s dimensions, the show car seems to sync up directly with the size and positioning of the future Buick crossover in question.

2018 Buick Enspire Concept
In fact, the Buick Enspire concept signaled a model that goes a step beyond the Envision, albeit with smaller dimensions as those on the “baby Buick Enclave”. As such, the E2UB model will likely be heavily inspired by the Enspire show car (no pun intended).

2018 Buick Enspire Concept
Powertrain
The IHS document shows that the new Buick crossover is being developed by SAIC-GM – General Motors’ joint venture in China that was also responsible for the development of the Enspire concept. This is an important data point in determining what will power the new CUV.
Of course, a range of gasoline engines, including the new GM 2.0L Turbo LSY TriPower engine, are a shoe-in. But what about electrified options? As it turns out, thinking about that very question can reveal some interesting answers.

Buick Enspire Concept interior
Though GM/Buick have not announced any plans to produce an electrified version of the Enspire concept, let alone plans to bring the Enspire concept to market, reading the tea leaves signals that an all-electric version of the E2UB Buick crossover is very much possible.

Buick Enspire Concept interior
That’s because Buick, as GM’s primary brand in China, will most definitely play an integral role in GM’s previously-stated objective of bringing at least 20 new electric vehicles to market by 2023. To that end, IHS believes that the Buick E2UB crossover will go into production in China in September 2019. That date coincides with the automaker’s plan to bring to market two EVs by 2020.
We already know that the first of these two is the battery electric version of the new Buick Velite 6 that will debut next year in China. The second, however, could very well be an EV variant of our hypothetical Buick crossover.
Pricing
Though we’re far from seeing any official information regarding the pricing of this still un-announced future Buick crossover, we believe that it will start in the $35,000 range and slot in the lineup, as follows.
Vehicle: | Encore | Envision | Enspire | Enclave "Sport (E)" | Enclave |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Size: | Sub-Compact | Compact | Compact Plus | Mid-Size | Full-Size |
Passenger Capacity: | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 / 7 1 (E) | 7 |
Rows: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 / 3 2 (E) | 3 |
Starting Price: | $23,000 (C) | $31,000 (C) | $35,000 (E) | $37,000 (E) | $40,000 (C) |
- C – Confirmed
- E – Expected
- 1 – 5 passenger seating capacity standard / 7 passenger seating capacity optional
- 2 – 2 rows of seating standard / 3 rows of seating optional
Stay tuned to GM Authority as we find out more details about this future Buick crossover, as well as for more Buick news and Buick Enspire news.
Comments
Now this is interesting and good news if it all pans out.
I’m pretty sure this is the new Envision.
It is not. The Envision belongs to C-segment, and the program code of the second generation model is 9CUB (VSS-F platform).
Hoping this has at least a plug-in variant if not a full BEV version. Also, good move to upsize from the XT4. It will be compared to CRV and RAV4 by many reviewers, and it must beat those two in interior space and comfort.
I wonder if this will become somewhat of the Sporty/Coupe-ish CUV for the Buick Brand. About the same size as the Envision but much more Sorty, Stylish, Luxurious, and Tech Oriented of their CUV’s. Much like the Audi Q8 is for that Brand.
Buick in my opinion is a Brand that GM has so much Potential in and I hope that they Recognize this. Buick needs to become Lincoln/Acura/Volvo. By doing so, Chevrolet can finally have nice interior materials as GM won’t be gun-shy to step on Buick’s turf with Chevrolet.
Let Cadillac flex its muscle as well. Cadillac can be the best of both Worlds. It can be just as luxurious as a Mercedes/Audi/BMW while also being extremely Sporty.
GM has been talking about this for over a year ,a suv to fill in between Envision and Enclave ,at that time calling it Enspire . if it happens , who knows but they do need something in between . I left Buick for a Xt5 because Envision too small and Enclave too big .. good move to the XT5 its great no complaints
So it will be made in China?
I want and need an 8 passenger top of the line Buick or Chevrolet. Thus, Buick Avenir or Chevrolet Traverse Premier or High Country. They only come now as 7 passenger.
Toyota Highlander on Honda Pilot both offer 8 passenger in the top trim.
Why does GM limit configuration to 7 passenger only in top trims?
The CUV Opel shelved that was to be built along side the Insignia/Regal (also on E2xx). Buick probably continued development.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/08/as-psa-freezes-development-of-opel-crossover-holden-flagship-cuv-also-axed/
That’s a great looking SUV.
Don’t tease us with cars you’ll never build, the Enspire was an amazing look, don’t water it down.