- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Ar
Buick Envision. Expanding the geography
The Buick Envision is a compact SUV that expands GM’s geography: it is produced in China by the SAIC-General Motors joint venture and sold in China and North America. The first Chinese-made GM model to be sold on the American market, and one of the brand’s most commercially successful cars in the US. The first generation was released in 2014 and was restyled in 2017. The second generation appeared in 2020. The model has its roots in 2011, when the Envision concept car was introduced: a small SUV with doors that open upwards, a plug-in hybrid system, a head-up display and a roof with solar panels.
In 2017, the SUV became the third best-selling Buick model in the US. In 2018, sales fell by 27%, and then grew slightly in 2019. In 2020, the Envision turned out to be the only model of the brand in the country, the sales of which increased compared to 2019.
First generation
The first Envision debuted in China in August 2014, with sales starting in October of the same year. In the United States, the SUV appeared on January 11, 2016, becoming the first Chinese-made GM model to be sold on the American market. First, the manufacturer released an all-wheel drive version, followed by a front-wheel version. At the start of sales, the vehicle was offered in two trim levels, Premium I and Premium II, and then their number increased to five.
The compact vehicle (length – 4,667 mm, width – 1,804 mm, height – 1,659 mm) came with quite serious powertrains. The North American Envision received a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 197 hp and a torque of 260 Nm and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 252 hp and 353 Nm. Both were paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Chinese buyers could also choose a 1.5-liter turbo engine, combined with a preselective robotic gearbox.
2017 restyling
The updated SUV was introduced in China in the fall of 2017. In February 2018, it appeared on the North American market. The 2017 Envision received a slightly different exterior design, a new radiator grille, a different front bumper with a silver bottom, and sleeker taillights. The interior featured a new Buick eConnect media system and updated seats. In terms of technology, the important changes were a 9-speed automatic gearbox for a 2.0-liter engine and an increased torque (from 353 to 400 Nm). In China, the vehicle was sold in parallel with pre-restyling vehicles, differing from them by the letter S in the title.
Second generation
The new Buick Envision was released in May 2020. The SUV is shares the E2XX platform with the Cadillac XT4. The vehicle has become more beautiful, more solid and a little smaller. The body was shortened by 21 mm (up to 4,636 mm) and lowered by 18 mm (up to 1,641 mm), but the wheelbase grew to 2,779 mm. The SUV comes with a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 241 hp and 350 Nm, which is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The vehicle can be front- or all-wheel drive.
The standard set of safety systems has been expanded, including: blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and collision warning systems; a rear-view camera with a parking assistant. There are four trim levels: entry-level, Preferred, Essence and, for the first time, the Avenir premium trim. The luxury 2023 Buick Envision features a fine mesh grille, plenty of chrome elements and 20-inch wheels. The interior is trimmed with expensive leathers, while the front seats are ventilated. Options include adaptive suspension.
