Buick is joining GM in its all-electric transition with plans to release several new EV models in the next few years, with the eventual goal of fully electrifying its entire lineup by the 2030 calendar year. We already told you about two upcoming Buick electric vehicles – the Buick Electra E4 and E5. Now, however, GM Authority has learned that Buick is planning another battery electric crossover.
Buick Electra E5. The upcoming premium all-electric Buick crossover would slot above this model
The upcoming, yet-to-be-named Buick crossover would be a more premium model that would launch in 2027. It would enter the D crossover segment with regard to exterior dimensions, slotting above the aforementioned Buick Electra E5 with regard to the Tri-Shield brand’s North American product lineup.
Perhaps even more interesting is that it will be built on GM’s currently-unannounced BEV Prime architecture. Although details on the BEV Prime platform are few and far between (to put it mildly), GM Authority sources indicate that it will be a more premium and more refined version of the GM BEV3 architecture that currently underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, and that will also underpin the aforementioned Buick Electra E5 and Electra E4. Other electric GM models that will also use the BEV3 platform include the Cadillac Celestiq, Chevy Blazer EV, Chevy Equinox EV, and other unannounced GM EVs. Additionally, another source tells us that the GM BEV Prime platform could feature provisions to fit larger GM Ultium batteries for greater driving range and higher levels of performance.
The upcoming Buick D-segment electric crossover is poised to be built at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan.
Buick Electra E5
Meanwhile, the new Electra E5 made its world debut in China last month, introducing the brand’s new design language and new nomenclature for EVs. The E5 uses the BEV3 platform, along with GM Ultium motors and Ultium Drive motor systems.
A leaked image of the upcoming Buick Electra E4
Meanwhile, a smaller Buick electric crossover, the Buick Electra E4, is set to debut in China later this year. Leaks reveal compact sizing and sleek styling. In fact, as GM Authority exclusively reported late last year, the E4 is the production version of the Buick Electra-X concept that was unveiled last year. Critically, the Buick Electra E4 won’t be sold in North America.
A leaked image of the upcoming Buick Electra E4
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Comments
I wonder how long this SUV craze will last before the general public demands the return of sedans and wagons to the North American market?
I’m already getting sick of them!
I wish I had a better choice of larger sedans, however, even the midsize sedans feel rather compact compared to those built in the 1980’s – 2000’s.
Big Game Al: Funny that you say that. I was an early adapter to the SUV’s having purchased my first one back in 2001. Over the years, I’ve owned a lot of them with my last one being a 2018 Buick Encore. I’ve always liked them and find them useful for that once in a while larger haul and sitting up higher. However, in today’s market it’s just easier to order from Amazon or go to Best Buy and have larger items shipped directly to my door. On top of that, sitting up higher was an advantage when most everyone was driving cars. Now with most everyone driving the higher SUV’s and trucks, that advantage is gone. Finally, sitting in traffic or following all these boxes has gotten tiring. Thus, my love of the SUV has gone away and I kind of loath them any more. I don’t think I’m alone here and in time I believe more will do the same. And let’s not forget that this car business is cyclical and buyers will change their wants again. I’m thinking the next step will be back to sedan types that just sit higher.
I am not sure I would call the encore an SUV, it is a subcompact car based raised roof hatch. This makes it much less useful for SUV type things and really more in the genre of Crossover. But the slightly higher seating position and available AWD make them compelling to many.
Most of the current crop of so-called crossovers are just wagons. Well, hatchbacks really, as definition of station wagon has a tailgate, where as pretty much all new crossovers have lift gates.
rEVolutionary: You are right! In fact, I find it interesting that GM had the Spark listed under cars. Yet the Bolt EV (not EUV) was just under the EV tag. Now I noticed that Chevy’s website now lists the Bolt EV under the SUV’s. To me, the Bolt EV is nothing more than a slightly larger Spark but in EV form. The Bolt EUV would fall more into that SUV category. It’s all getting quite confusing for sure.
But I said this just a few weeks ago on here. The wagon market is strong and alive. We just changed the name of them to SUV/CUV and they now sit higher off the ground. That comment didn’t set well for many according to the up/down voters, but I don’t care as it’s how I see it.
It will last forever since that is what young people want. Prior to the 1960s, most cars were (current) suv sized anyways. “Longer, lower, wider” was the aberration. SUV & CUV gives more for the money, are safer, more useful, and easy for transporting groceries and larger items. Sedans are easier for families and old folks said NO ONE, ever.
Young people don’t want these CUVS, especially from Buick.
Just looking around at my local drivers, almost every single driver of a CUV is a Baby Boomer aged lady. They like the height, utility, and small size of these vehicles.
Modern young drivers are actually back into coupes and sedans again.
Wagons went to Minivans, then those went to SUV’s, but all along the young kids went to sporty coupes and sometimes big sedans to stand out…the real question is what is the next Family Truckster. Does a lifted 4 door wagonish hatchback with a Sportscar name fit the bill? Will we have an all electric Camaro 4 door to battle the Mach E?
Yuk!
Did you say 2027? It’s still 2023, right?
There’s a story here today about the 2029 Corvette. But this is only 2023, right? Go complain there, too.
I don’t know. 2027 seems like a long way away. As for the BEV Prime platform, I’m supposing that will use the 2nd Generation Ultium Batteries that GMAuthority reported on two years ago?
More premium platform? So the $300,000 Celestiq is going on a budget architecture? Will Cadillac be getting a new $500,000 flagship for all this goodness? GM always has a new, improved platform while the Japanese and Ford change far less often
I didn’t say more premium? I only said BEV Prime, which is what gm called it. I’m not responsible for the name. 🙂
A 2028 Buick EV SUV that’s coming in 2027….. wow ok We are in 2023! and that’s 4 years later and I’m sure most brands will be either hybrid or Hydrogen and GM along with VW and BMW will be the Little Tesla Followers Selling crappy BEV’s that fall apart easy and die on the road and besides I’m sure in 2025 Tesla would go out of business and BEV’s will stop
The bigger question here is will (can) Buick survive till 2027? They certainly aren’t flying off the lots any more and when you have such a small and uninspiring line of nothing but SUV’s, I think it’s safe to say that Buick will be struggling to stay afloat till 2027 as such.
I think it’s a shame the E4 isn’t intended for North America. Seems like a right size vehicle in an attractive package.
E4 would be perfect for the US market due to segment popularity.
Buick Electra E5 Avenir is a mouthful! I think, in the US, an all electric lineup could loose Buick name. Otherwise it would be Buick Electra 5 instead of Buick Electra E5. Using Buick only for VIN is enough to convince China that the brand is still alive.
Your comment about the E4 not intended for North America is spot on. It’s seems a shame they haven’t engineered it for US standards – or perhaps Cadillac vetoed Buick getting an SUV than so much better looking than the XT4.
I am glad that they will build this newly-announced D-sized Buick Electra crossover in Michigan. Why does it surprise anyone that its 2023 and they are planning a vehicle to debut in 2027? Maybe this is the one that will be designated “GS”? How big might this vehicle be? Does it compare in size to, say, the Envision (I believe that I read the Envision will be replaced in 2026) or the Enclave or? In any case, I would presume this new D-sized Buick will be designated Electra E6 (or above).
Christopher: I am also happy to read that it will be assembled in MI. But for me, them talking about 2027 is just questionable any more when it comes to Buick specifically.
Take a look back in history. When GM made the announcement that Olds, Pontiac and others would be killed off, it didn’t take them 4 years to do it. I don’t recall the exact year they announced it and how long it took them, but I do recall how fast I thought it went once they announced it. And remember, Olds had just gotten some really new products on the floor and I think maybe even Pontiac did too. So with how poorly Buick is doing in the US and with such a lack of products to sell NOW, it would never surprise me to come on GMA next week and click on a story about GM announcing that they would be killing off Buick in the states. Part of me says just do it already. A larger part of me says give Buick a couple sedans based on the Malibu, CT4 and CT5. Re-think the really bad design language (2024 Encore GX front end????) and pump out advertising letting the world know Buick is alive and fighting. But looking at the lineup they have at this time, there is zero chance of me walking into any Buick dealers. And that’s coming from a very hard-core GM and Buick guy who has owned a lot of them and happily sold them for 12 years.
Yes, Dan, I understand why you have those feelings. But I will hope that Buick will be around in the U.S. for a long, long time. Surely Mark Reuss would never let let the legacy of his father, Lloyd Reuss, be darkened by discontinuing Buick here. For those not familiar, Lloyd Reuss became the Chief Engineer for Buick in 1975. By 1980, he was its General Manager, and in 1983 the division set an all-time sales record. Mark Reuss should understand that Buick (or any GM brand) should not be cruelly starved of product.
I didn’t know that. Interesting fact. I sure hope you are correct and I hope my wish for Buick (surviving) comes true and they get some sedans and more product in general.
One of the biggest things that I feel GM has lost, and thus the brands end up losing, is that they have little clue as to the history and heritage of that brand. If they don’t require it, then every single person going to work for GM in design and product development or any management position should be required to spend one month studying and learning about the brands with an emphasis on the historical side. If they don’t complete the course, they don’t work for GM.
oh boy, waiting 4 more years for a PROBABLY decent buick. what a time to be alive 😴
BEV? BFD.
Only wait to 2027??? Sounds like they need a lot less time redesigning badges!
And will be ignored by the consumer much like the rest of Buick’s current lineup.
So, I thought that the BEV3 platform was a scalable variable platform for all sizes yet we are getting a BEV Prime platform? Does anyone have more information about this Prime platform other than what I read in this story for the future Buick?
This crossover is as ugly as they get. Buick’s lineup seems to get worse over time. Buick will be China-only in 2030.
A premium vehicle in 5-6 years from Buick, how great. We haven’t seen anything premium from them in decades.
Dan and Christopher: looking at your comments, it seems clear that you analyze furure Buick offerings based on the way things used to be. Buick is now an add on to GMC dealers in most locations. They don’t have to have a complete lineup to be successful because they aren’t stand alone dealers. Another point is that if we are patient there will be wider range of model types after they roll out more electric vehicles. The cost of engineering and meeting regulatory requirements for different designs will be lower… that means they will make more on lower volumes, and so I think eventually there will be many unique electric vehicle designs.