The Buick Envision, currently in the first model year of its second generation, has been available until now only as a two-row model both in North America and China, where it is known as the Envision S to differentiate it from the previous-, first-generation Envision still sold in that country. However, a three-row version was officially unveiled at the annual Buick Brand Day in Shanghai, China on April 18th.
Buick Envision
During our reporting, GM Authority has referred to this vehicle as the Envision GX since we exclusively revealed its existence in June of last year, but Buick has chosen the name Envision Plus for the Chinese market. The expectation, at least as of this writing, is that the Envision Plus will make its way to North America as the Envision GX. Whatever it’s called, the three-row model is expected to go on sale in both markets later on in 2021.
So, how do the two stack up on paper? We sought to find out.
| Envision / Envision S | Envision Plus / Envision GX | +/- Envision Plus / GX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (inches) | 109.4 | 111.5 | 2.1 |
| Length (inches) | 182.5 | 190.7 | 8.2 |
| Width (inches) | 74.1 | 74.1 | Equal |
| Height (inches) | 64.6 | 67.1 | 2.5 |
The only exterior dimension shared by both vehicles is the width, which amounts to 74.1 inches. Although the Envision Plus rides on an extended version of the GM E2 platform, the difference in wheelbase is relatively minor at just 2.1 inches. However, the three-row model’s advantage when it comes to overall length is much greater, at 8.2 inches.
Buick Envision Plus
The Buick Envision Plus is also 2.5 inches taller than the regular 2021 Buick Envision, though this will not be due to any difference in the platform.
No internal dimensions are currently available for the Buick Envision Plus, but they will certainly differ from those of the two-row model behind the front row of seats.
Buick Envision
The Buick Envision is built at the SAIC-GM Jianqiao plant in Shanghai. The only engine available as of this writing is the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline unit, which produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and is mated to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission. The Envision Plus uses the same engine, though mounted to a mild hybrid system, along with a 48V electric motor. GM has yet to reveal power figures for this powertrain.
Buick Envision Plus
As might be expected of a completely revised model with optimal retail availability, Buick Envision sales in the U.S. jumped 51 percent in Q1 of 2021 compared with the same period the year prior. At 10,476 units, it placed third in the luxury C-segment crossover segment, behind the Lexus NX (14,462 units) and the Acura RDX (11,612 units), but well ahead of the Audi Q3 (8,575 units).
Sales Numbers - Luxury C-Segment Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEXUS NX | +27.88% | 14,462 | 11,309 | 18% | 17% |
| ACURA RDX | +4.12% | 11,612 | 11,153 | 14% | 17% |
| BUICK ENVISION | +51.12% | 10,476 | 6,932 | 13% | 10% |
| AUDI Q3 | +54.34% | 8,575 | 5,556 | 11% | 8% |
| LINCOLN CORSAIR | +25.47% | 7,114 | 5,670 | 9% | 9% |
| MERCEDES-BENZ GLB-CLASS | +46.91% | 7,081 | 4,820 | 9% | 7% |
| VOLVO XC40 | +46.20% | 5,804 | 3,970 | 7% | 6% |
| CADILLAC XT4 | +5.66% | 5,454 | 5,162 | 7% | 8% |
| MERCEDES-BENZ GLA-CLASS | +8.19% | 5,376 | 4,969 | 7% | 8% |
| BMW X1 | -3.99% | 3,968 | 4,133 | 5% | 6% |
| BMW X2 | -41.51% | 1,337 | 2,286 | 2% | 3% |
| INFINITI QX30 | -99.12% | 1 | 112 | 0% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +22.99% | 81,260 | 66,072 |
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Comments
Hey Kim if you don’t like the molded foam dash in a Buick… Then how about Hyundai and Kia with there look at me look at me fake shiny black plastic everywhere and the fake leather… Also don’t forget the lovely soft touch fabric that attracts dirt and hair like a 70’s disco! Buick and GM are fine cars with fine interiors you want better buy a BMW and maintain it!
I really hope someone at the top of GM fires their marketing people who come up with these names. If it’s a different body with a different length it should be a different name. It’s hard enough when there are five or six trim levels to know which is at the top of a line and which is a bottom. Take for example The encore the base level is called preferred. Is that because they make more money on a cheaper version than what they call premium or essence? It’s just plain dumb. If it was me I’d name everything trim-wise Base, preferred, sport, premium, etc. Of course the sport would have a bigger engine automatically and they preferred to have more power equipment and the premium would be with all options included. But then again I’m just a dumb consumer, and most sales people don’t know are rat’s ass about their own cars anyway.
Julius as far as the naming process goes they could just put the 3.6 V6 in as an option and call it the new Buick Enclave 🤔 or GM/Buick is making an EV Envision. But your right instead of Envision GX how about EW for Estate Wagon! Just a thought. 👍🤔
Made in Communist China. Nuff said.
This is not the first time GM has built a vehicle with freakishly long looking rear doors. The Olds Vista Cruiser/Buick Sportwagon and the ’90s Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy XL did the same.
GM was saved by the American taxpayers and they offshore more products. Great FU to America from gM.
How long until all gM products are offered?
Chase is spot on…