2020 Buick Envision Review

　　

2020 Buick Envision Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The small luxury SUV market has become rather crowded these days. And with a variety of manufacturers scrambling to catch the attention of buyers with style and flair, it can be hard to find a model that's best for you. Buick, for its part, hopes you'll like the Envision, a small SUV that offers luxury at a considerably more affordable price than other competitors.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Buick Envision 1SV 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 1SV

　　Envision 1SV

　　1SV 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $31,995 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $33,500 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $35,250 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $35,800 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $37,550 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $40,700 MSRPPremium II 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $43,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The Envision comes standard with a load of luxury amenities as well as an available powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. It's hard to look past the Buick if you're shopping solely on feature content. But feature content might not be enough to override fairly lackluster fuel economy, low driver engagement and some questionable interior materials.

　　Competition is fierce in this segment. And with new models such as the Lincoln Corsair and the Range Rover Evoque offering not only a rich assortment of luxury amenities but a heaping of modern style as well, the Buick Envision certainly has its work cut out. But if you like the Envision's size and feature content, we think it deserves a test drive.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Envision drive? The Envision takes a different tack from sportier rivals. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and nine-speed automatic deliver smooth torque rather than sharp speed. And while it's stable enough in turns, the Envision is primarily tuned for comfort rather than handling precision. Its steering is fine around town and on the freeway, but it feels sluggish and inaccurate on twistier roads.

　　The Envision's performance shortcomings are highlighted by rivals who offer similar levels of comfort and refinement but provide better feel and responses from both the steering and the transmission. This segment is very competitive, and average is often not enough.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Envision? A smooth and composed ride quality, nicely padded seats all around, three-zone climate control, and an impressively quiet cabin are the highlights. But if comfort is a top priority, you'll like the way the Envision manages to feel serene over most surfaces and at most speeds. That's an enviable trait to possess, especially if you spend a lot of time on the highway where the Envision is very nearly best in class.

　　The cabin is isolated quite nicely from all noise sources; the engine is muted, traffic noise is kept out, tire noise is surprisingly hushed, and even road noise over bumps sounds slightly distant. This isolation does mean that in some situations wind noise is more noticeable, but it's not pronounced.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Other manufacturers are putting maximum effort into creating better SUV interiors, which makes the Envision's cabin fall even further below expectations at this price point. Outward visibility can be limited, too, due to thick roof pillars that create blind spots in both the front and rear.

　　But get past the lackluster looks and you'll find an interior that's functional and generally easy to live with. The driving position is somewhat odd, and button placement can seem random. The only other deal-breaker, aside from the somewhat poor visibility, might be the limited headroom for taller shoppers, though space is pretty abundant otherwise.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Envision's tech features are decent among the mainstream competition. The infotainment system features an easy-to-use navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and enough USB ports for four devices. There's also a good assortment of mobile charge options, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and reliable voice controls. The only shortcomings are the advanced driving aids, which aren't as refined as other systems, and the lack of GM's newest and much improved infotainment system, IntelliLink 3. We expect that technology to make its way into the Envision within the next year or two.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Envision has a slightly small but very usable cargo area (26.9 cubic feet), and while the vehicle has a lot of little cubbies they're all quite shallow and good for very small items. On the car seat front, the easy-access anchors and incredible rear legroom make this an easy SUV to live with.

　　

Fuel Economy

5.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With the 2.0-liter turbo, the Envision's EPA fuel economy estimates fall below those of competitors that also deliver more power, though the base engine with FWD is a little better. On our highway-heavy testing loop, the Envision fell well short of expectations, coming in at just 18.3 mpg. While there is a less powerful engine available, its performance and rougher character aren't befitting of a luxury SUV. The inefficiency of the 2.0-liter turbo is made even more glaring, especially against more efficient competitors such as the Lexus NX 300 and the Audi Q5.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Envision a good value? Value is the Envision's big stumbling block, depending on what you want. If you desire a lot of features, easy-to-use tech and a quiet, comfortable SUV, the Envision makes a very strong case for itself. But if luxurious appointments matter, you'll be disappointed by the heavy use of plastic panels in the interior -- sometimes this Buick comes across as a rebadged Chevrolet. It outdoes most non-luxury competitors in warranty protection and ownership experience, as you'd expect given the Envision's slightly upmarket price tag.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　We like the feeling of torque propelling you along around town, the quiet cabin and the smooth ride. The Envision is so close to being an entry-level luxury player, but it makes a terrible first impression. Styling appears to be a total afterthought, both inside and out. And the amount and quality of the interior plastics just don't cut it when you're going up against brands such as Audi and Lexus. With the similarly sized Cadillac XT4 and XT5 sitting handsomely under the same corporate umbrella, why does the Envision have to look this way?

　　

Which Envision does zzdcar recommend?

We strongly prefer the power and drivability of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which narrows the field to the Premium and Premium II trims. Between those two, we like the Premium II because of its available adaptive cruise control, standard upgraded audio system, navigation, head-up display and wireless charging pad.

　　

2020 Buick Envision models

The 2020 Buick Envision is a compact crossover SUV with seating for five people. Five trim levels are offered, starting with the base (1SV) Envision trim. It is only available with front-wheel drive and comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (197 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic. 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, 295 lb-ft) and a nine-speed automatic.

　　Standard features for the base Envision trim include 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, foglights, auto-dimming and heated mirrors, a hands-free 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 (with 4G LTE connection and a Wi-Fi hotspot), Bluetooth, a rearview camera, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, four USB ports (two are charge-only), 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 functions, heated outboard rear seats, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　Stepping up to the Premium trim gets you 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, 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 a lane departure warning and intervention system.

　　At the top of the range, the Premium II trim adds automatic high beams, wireless charging, an automated parking system, a navigation system, a head-up display, an extendable thigh support for the driver's 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 a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

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

　　

2020 Envision Highlights

Trim: 1SVPreferredEssencePremiumPremium II1SV

　　

Base MSRP	$31,995
Engine Type	Gas
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	3 years / 36,000 miles