2018 Buick Envision Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What’s new

　　The Buick Envision carries over largely unchanged for 2018.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Among small luxury crossover SUVs, the 2018 Buick Envision might be worth your attention. Though its exterior styling is generic, it comes with a generous amount of features for the price and has an attractive interior trimmed in high-quality materials. It slots between the compact Encore and larger Enclave in Buick's portfolio. As such, it's pretty easy to maneuver around town but still has a decent amount of interior and cargo space.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Buick Envision 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$151/mo  for Envision Base

　　Envision Base

　　4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $33,995 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $35,870 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $37,720 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $37,720 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $39,570 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $42,320 MSRPPremium II 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $44,960 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　We recommend stepping up to the Envision's optional turbocharged 2.0-liter engine since it provides a more suitable amount of power for a luxury crossover. At that point, the Envision is priced similarly to crossovers such as the Acura RDX and Volvo XC60 but still less than what you'll likely pay for an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. In total, there's nothing about the Envision that makes it truly stand out in this class, but it nonetheless covers the bases well enough to make it worth a look.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Sandwiched between the smaller Encore and three-row Enclave in Buick's lineup, the Envision is an easy-to-drive crossover SUV that delivers a lot of features for the price. It doesn't have a whole lot of personality, but if you're mostly interested in a quiet and comfortable SUV, it's worth a look.

　　

Trim tested

　　zzdcar has only limited experience with the 2018 Envision. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

　　

Driving

　　With the turbo 2.0-liter engine, power is adequate. It's enough to merge onto highways without issue. Expect a more belabored experience with the base 2.5-liter engine. The Envision can feel a bit unsettled and ponderous when driven around turns.

　　

Comfort

　　The seats are well cushioned and supportive for long drives. The suspension ably soaks up bumps in the road, and the active noise canceling system helps to keep the cabin nice and quiet.

　　

Interior

　　Interior design and materials are up to entry-level luxury car standards. Forward visibility is excellent, but the thick rear roof pillars will obstruct the rearward view. There's plenty of space in the rear seats for three adults, and the slide/recline function should keep them comfortable.

　　

Utility

　　There's an average amount of space behind the rear seats, but folding them down reveals 57.3 cubic feet of total cargo space, which is smaller than average. Interior storage is generous, with plenty of large bins and pockets to hold your personal items.

　　

Technology

　　Buick's GM-based infotainment system is easy to use. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes operation even easier.

　　

Which Envision does zzdcar recommend?

　　We consider the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine upgrade the best fit for the 2018 Buick Envision. The base 2.5-liter engine struggles a bit by comparison. For this reason, we recommend the Premium or Premium II trims, which are the only ones to come with the turbocharged engine.

　　

2018 Buick Envision models

　　The 2018 Buick Envision is a midsize crossover SUV with seating for five. There are five trim levels offered, starting with the base Envision trim. It is only available as front-wheel drive and comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (197 horsepower, 192 pound-feet of torque). All-wheel drive can be added to the Preferred and Essence trims. The Premium and Premium II trims have all-wheel drive as standard and come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (252 hp, 260 lb-ft). All Envisions use a six-speed automatic transmission.

　　Standard features for the base Envision trim include 18-inch wheels, foglights, auto-dimming and heated mirrors, a hands-free power liftgate with adjustable opening heights, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and 60/40-split folding rear seats. Standard tech features include OnStar communications (includes 4G LTE connection and Wi-Fi hotspot), Bluetooth, a rearview camera, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, four USB ports (two are charge-only), Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

　　The Preferred trim is essentially the same but is eligible for more options. The Essence trim adds three-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, heated outboard rear seats, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　Stepping up to the Premium trim gets you 19-inch wheels, front parking sensors, automatic wipers, a larger driver information display, a seven-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 110-volt household power outlet, a forward collision alert system, and lane departure warning and intervention system.

　　At the top of the range, the Premium II trim adds adaptive xenon headlights, automatic high beams, an automated parking system, a navigation system, a head-up display, an extendable thigh support for the driver seat, and ventilated front seats. This trim is eligible for the Driver Confidence package that includes adaptive cruise control, a top-down parking camera system, and forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

　　Some features are available on supporting trims as options. Other add-ons include a panoramic sunroof, side assist steps, a roof rack and a cargo cover.

　　

2018 Envision Highlights

Trim: BasePreferredEssencePremiumPremium IIBase

　　

Base MSRP	$33,995
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$151/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	26.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles