Turning to used cars alongside its usual top-10 new car recommendations, Consumer Reports named the 2020 Buick Envision as one of the top three pre-owned vehicles available for 2024, specifically as the best used luxury SUV under $20,000.
The Buick Envision is one of two GM vehicles in the top three, per the CR report, alongside the 2017 Chevy Cruze, with the third spot occupied by the Mazda CX-9.
With a current price range between $16,650 and $21,725, the 2020 Buick Envision is described by CR as being “like using a cheat code to reveal a hidden luxury gem.” The interior is comfortable and the vehicle offers plenty of standard features, including some falling more at the luxury end of the spectrum. The infotainment system is a standout feature, while the model is said to need little money to maintain or fix it.
The Buick Envision offers good protection from all directions in both crash and rollover tests. CR testers noted its “simple controls” and “easy access” as pluses, while downsides include an “unsettled ride” and “clumsy handling.” Reliability was rated at 72 out of 100, putting it in roughly the middle of the pack compared to similar crossovers.
The Envision also ranked high for comfort at 73 out of 100. All systems were solidly reliable, including engine, transmission, steering and suspension, brakes, and climate control. Build quality was good across electrical accessories, paint and trim, and electronics, while minor problems were reported with noises and body hardware.
The study was carried out by first rating the competing vehicles by generation rather than individual model year. Consumer Reports then chose the year to recommend by finding the most modern that still falls below the chosen price threshold, $20,000 in the case of the Buick Envision. This also means that to get equivalent performance from a competing model at this price, it would be necessary to buy an older model year, with the additional mileage and problems that entails.
CR created its Used Car Top Picks because buyers of pre-owned vehicles “shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget,” according to the organization’s auto testing manager Alex Knizek.
As new car prices continue to mount, Knizek says, “more and more people are naturally looking to pre-owned market in search of a better bargain.”
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Comment
Looks wise, I like the current Envision more. But I like the previous Envision overall more because it has more creature comfort features. It even had 3-zone climate controls. I also find the beige interior (like the one pictured) more inviting, which is a color the current one lacks (only gray and black).