2023 Buick Envision

In keeping with Buick’s traditional upper-middle-class role, the 2023 Buick Envision is a compact SUV aimed at families who want something nicer than a Chevy but don’t have Cadillac budgets. It’s also quiet and roomy like old Buicks, but there’s little else about it that’s “traditional.” Muscular and stylish on the outside but not very remarkable to drive, the Shanghai-built Envision reflects the priorities of Buick’s main market: China. It sells dozens of models and more than 800,000 cars a year there, so it’s natural that eventually one of those models should find its way here.

Buick’s first compact crossover, the Envision slots between the tiny Encore GX and midsize Enclave. The first-generation Envision version arrived in 2016, but it was comprehensively redesigned into a much cooler-looking machine in 2021. It hasn’t changed much since then, but supply chain issues have altered some standard and optional equipment for 2023 and all models get the previously optional 3-year subscription to OnStar and GM’s connected services as standard equipment (with a resulting price increase). There are three trims, the basic Preferred ($34,795), the mid-grade Essence ($38,895) and the top-spec Avenir ($47,055).

Those prices are several thousand dollars below same-sized luxury rivals like the BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Acura RDX, but pricier than equally stylish and sometimes similarly (or better) equipped popular-brand machines like the Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-50. The Envision stacks up a little better against smaller entry-level premium vehicles. It’s nowhere near as sporty as the recently-updated BMW X1, but is much roomier. It also compares well to the Volvo XC40 and Lexus’ NX and UX, but unfortunately, the Envision doesn’t really stand out in many areas other than style and room.

Every Envision is powered by a 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional throughout the lineup. ($3,650 on the Preferred model but only $1,800 on the other trims.) The Envision isn’t slow, and it’s reasonably nimble around town, but it’s an unexciting drive that’s more about providing comfort than engagement. The ride is quite smooth and the cabin reasonably quiet, but not as quiet as Genesis or Lincoln despite active noise cancellation. Most drivers won’t be disappointed, but they won’t be delighted either.

By compact crossover standards, the Envision has a big back seat and lots of room for kid gear. The chunky C-pillar also makes the back feel cloistered and private but not confining. Every seat is comfy, but the design is bland. There’s nothing wrong in here, and the Envision’s systems are easier to use than Mazda’s, but the dashboard would look just as at home on a Chevy and the push-button, pull-tab shifter is anything but intuitive. The Avenir costs more than a four-cylinder GV70 but doesn’t feel as rich inside.

The Envision does offer a fairly comprehensive amount of standard equipment, including  a whole host of active safety features that were once options (and are still options on some more expensive competitors). The Preferred seems a little skimpy on luxury and supply chain issues have played havoc with what is available on the Essence, but the Avenir comes with lots of kit, including a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise. The Envision isn’t a bad family choice and the styling impresses, but it doesn’t quite stack up to its luxury competition even at a friendlier price, and some mainstream alternatives come with more features.

Performance: 9/15

Buick offers only one engine in the Envision, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. 

The Envision weighs between 3,700 and 3,930 pounds depending on configuration, which is a lot for the engine to haul around. It isn’t slow, and the transmission is a smooth shifter that almost always puts it in the right gear for the situation, but it isn’t fast either. Zero to 60 happens in the mid-7-second range, good enough for most drivers, and highway passing power is perfectly decent. 

As fitting with the image of Buicks past, the ride is smooth and soft but not land-yacht pillowy like a 1970s Electra 225. It handles like many modern family crossovers, predictable understeer and easy-to-judge limits, but it doesn’t really like to be hustled. AWD might be a good addition if you live in a snowy place, but there’s no pretense of off-road ability here and only 6.7 inches of ground clearance.

People after a quiet commuter won’t be unhappy with the Envision, but unlike alternatives from BMW and Mazda, it isn’t particularly engaging or remarkable to drive.

Fuel Economy: 11/15

The EPA rates the front-wheel drive Envision at 23 mpg city, 31 highway and 26 mpg combined, with the AWD version coming in at 22 city, 29 highway and 25 mpg combined. In our real-world test of an AWD Envision, we came in around 24 mpg combined, with a slight bias to around-town driving.

This puts the Envision ahead of a small number of same-sized premium machines like the GV70 (22 mpg combined) or Land Rover Discovery Sport (20), but even with the BMW X3 and Lexus NX350. Lexus’ NX hybrid does much better, at 39 mpg combined, and Mazda’s CX-50 does up to 27. The pint-size luxury alternatives like the BMW X1 (28 mpg combined) and XC40 (26 mpg with AWD) also do better, but they all take premium fuel whereas the Envision drinks 87 Octane, which definitely offsets the money spent.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 11/15

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Buick Envision a five-star overall rating, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has yet to test this generation of Envision. If and when they do, we’ll update our review with their findings.

Buick offers a whole lot of standard active-safety gear, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings with lane keep assist, adaptive high beams, blind spot monitoring and lane change alerts, rear cross-traffic alerts and a following distance indicator. 

Adaptive cruise control is part of the “Technology Package II,” which is now standard equipment on the Avenir, but at the time of this writing not available on the Essence, presumably due to supply chain issues, although this equipment might be Avenir-only in 2023. When we get a clear picture of availability, we’ll be back to tell you how much it will cost, but it isn’t available on the base model at all.

Comfort & Room: 14/15

While the Envision is more expensive than most popular-brand compact crossovers, it’s priced about even with smaller premium-brand ones, and generally below similarly-sized luxury models like the BMW X3. Its size-to-price ratio gives it an edge in room and comfort, and its roomy for a compact machine anyway. With 40.4 inches of front legroom and 39.6 inches of forward headroom, there’s plenty of room for tall people up front. 

This is also true in back, with 39.3 inches of aft legroom and 38.9 inches of headroom. The Envision’s fat C-pillar also gives the back seat a cloistered feel without making it feel small. There’s room to stretch and watch the world on a long trip, and plenty of room for kids or large car seats. That rear legroom figure falls just shy of the CX-50 (39.8 inches) but tops the RDX (38 inches), Genesis GV70 (37.2) and both BMW’s X1 (37) and X3 (36.4) as well as the Lexus NX (36).

The Envision’s seats are comfortable and don’t get tiresome even on long trips, though they’re less aggressively bolstered than BMW’s or Acura’s. 

Infotainment: 12/15

The base-model Envision Preferred gets an 8.0-inch infotainment screen while the higher trims use a 10.2-inch unit in the same housing. You’ll find that same practice over at Mercedes-Benz and some other manufacturers, but often times they use more complicated software setups. Depending on your perspective Buick’s infotainment system is either a little on the basic side or very easy to use, but we lean toward the latter interpretation.

With a simple interface that’s been evolving for years, Buick doesn’t overcomplicate things with mountains of menus, and the graphics look in keeping with the systems of most competitors. It’s also much easier to master than Mazda’s click wheel or Acura’s trackpad. If you don’t like Buick’s interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Envisions. A Wi-Fi hotspot and active noise cancellation are also included.

Navigation is optional on the mid-grade Essence but standard on the Avenir and it works well, although BMW and Lexus have superior voice command recognition. A nine-speaker Bose audio system is optional on the Essence and included on the Avenir.

Cargo Space & Storage: 11/15

With 25.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.7 with them folded, the Envision falls mid-pack on cargo room. The RDX offers 29.8 cubic-feet in back and 58.9 overall and the Infiniti QX50 31.4 and 65.1 overall. The Envision also falls behind the Mazda CX-50 (31.4 and 56.3) and BMW X1 (25.7 and 57.2) but tops the Lexus NX (22.7 and 46.9), Cadillac’s XT4 (22.3 and 48.9) and (by far) the Volvo XC40 (16 and 46.9).

Despite not having the biggest hold, using the Envision’s space is easy. The seats fold almost flat and there’s a cargo light, tie-down rings and a power liftgate (on Essence and Avenir models) that projects a logo telling you where to put your foot. The cabin also has plenty of small item storage space and a big center console. 

Style & Design: 7/10

With taut, muscular lines, the Envision needs to make no apologies for its visuals. It looks sinuous and athletic and is only improved with bolder color choices like Sapphire, Cinnabar (red) and Rich Garnet (dark burgundy, exclusive to the Avenir). Despite the addition of two new colors this year, we wish Buick offered a wider array of hues. This design deserves more showing off.

Inside, the Envision is less remarkable. The design is a bit on the generic side and feels closer to something you’d get in a Kia or Chevrolet than a proper premium brand vehicle, with inexpensive plastics clearly in evidence. But it’s good looking, clean and contemporary. It also doesn’t sacrifice any functionality for form or gimmicky controls, unlike the RDX.

Is the 2023 Buick Envision Worth it? Which Envision is the Best Value? 

Buick offers three levels of Envision starting with the Preferred ($34,795, including a $1,395 destination fee). That’s the lowest cost of entry, but you can’t get the largest wheels or the full technology suite on this model, and adding AWD costs twice as much as it does on the other models, so we’d probably skip the Preferred.

The mid-grade Essence is the best value in the lineup at $38,895 with front-drive or $40,965 with AWD. It adds the power tailgate, more stylish 18-inch rims, heated mirrors with memory settings and unlocks all of the technology options, including the larger infotainment screen and other gear. Most notably you can order the “Technology Package II,” which has all the best extra driver-assist features (adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking and more). 

This option is currently experiencing supply chain issues, so ask the dealer before you commit. GM has also built some vehicles without heated seats due to supply chain problems, but Buick dealers will fit the necessary bits later at no added cost.

Preferred and Essence models also offer a $1,495 Sport Touring (ST) package which adds blackout trim, a black interior with special ST stitching, pedals and floor mats, and black 20-inch aluminum rims.  

The full-fat Avenir ($47,055 with front-drive, $48,855 with AWD) offers virtually all of the Envision’s available features (including the Technology Package II gear) as standard equipment but also adds a panoramic sunroof, fancier 20-inch wheels, an extra paint choice (the lovely Rich Garnet metallic), more chrome accents and perforated leather seating. At that price though, the X3 xDrive30i and Genesis GV70 2.5T Sport look very attractive.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Buick Envision?

The Buick Envision is more expensive to insure than most of its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,144 on an Envision Avenir (the most expensive trim to insure), though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $1,930 for the Acura RDX A-Spec Advance, $2,267 for the BMW X1, $1,868 for the Mazda CX-5 Turbo and $1,974 for the Volvo XC40. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.