2025 Buick Envision review
The Buick Envision’s memorable design helps set it apart in a heavily contested field of small luxury SUVs. The Envision is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive as standard, and its sporty exterior immediately helps it stand out. Because of its price positioning, the Envision, which seats five, competes with everything from high-end mainstream models—think the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4—to similarly sized SUVs from the likes of Lexus, BMW, and Acura. The Envision is quiet and comfortable, and its 30-inch display screen gives the cabin a cutting-edge look. But cargo space is adequate at best, and some interior materials lack a premium feel.
Explore the evolution of the Buick Envision
Get our expert take on used Buick Envision models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Buick Envision
In the Buick lineup of SUVs, the edgy-looking Envision is positioned above the smaller Encore GX and Envista and below the larger three-row Enclave. Like many of Buick’s more recently introduced models, the second-generation Envision has narrow headlights, a pointed prow, and heavily sculpted sides that create a surprisingly sporty appearance for a brand long known for its conservative approach.
A mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year brought with it standard all-wheel drive–typically an extra-cost addition on many rivals–and a sleek 30-inch instrument display. This seamless screen expanse is composed of a digital instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen. Interior space is about average for its class, though cargo volume is a little behind the curve at 25.2 cubic feet in capacity. Many competitors offer more luggage space.
To its credit, the Envision comes standard with a wide range of comfort and safety features. The topmost Avenir trim is downright posh. This range-topping model is outfitted with quilted leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with a massaging driver’s seat, a panoramic moonroof, and an adaptive suspension.
Model highlights
Smooth ride quality
Standard all-wheel drive
Quiet cabin
Attractive 30-inch dashboard display
Elegant Avenir trim
Competitive fuel economy (24 mpg combined city/highway
)
First generation Buick Envision
The Envision occupied a middle ground in the Buick lineup when it arrived for the 2016 model year. With seating for five and a safe (if somewhat anonymous) design, it targeted SUV shoppers who prioritize comfort and quietness over sporty driving dynamics. Buick also made certain the Envision was a solid value thanks to its ample lineup of standard tech, comfort, and driver-assist features.
Originally the Envision came solely with a turbocharged four-cylinder and all-wheel drive as standard. Starting with the 2017 model year, a less powerful entry-level four-cylinder was added and front-wheel drive became available. The Envision was also notable for being the first Buick to be manufactured in China and sold in the U.S. market.
Model highlights
Choice of front- or all-wheel drive
Smooth suspension
Available turbocharged four-cylinder
Quiet interior
Comfortable front and rear seating
Generous amount of standard features for the price
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2021 - present
2025 Buick Envision
2024 Buick Envision
Highlights
Midcycle refresh; slightly revised front and rear styling
All-wheel drive became standard
All trims fitted with 30-inch digital dashboard display
Additional standard driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, head-up instrument display, and surround-view camera syste
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2023 Buick Envision
2022 Buick Envision
2021 Buick Envision
Highlights
Completely redesigned for the 2021 model year
Standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine
Front- or all-wheel drive
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ became standard
Standard eight-inch touchscreen; available 10.2-inch screen
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Previous generation from 2016 - 2020
2020 Buick Envision
2019 Buick Envision
Highlights
Slight exterior refresh; updated front and rear styling
Turbo four-cylinder equipped with new nine-speed automatic transmission
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2018 Buick Envision
2017 Buick Envision
Highlights
Lower trims and less-powerful four-cylinder engine added to the lineup
Front-wheel drive newly standard; all-wheel drive available
Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ became standard
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2016 Buick Envision
Highlights
Completely new addition to the Buick lineup
Turbocharged 252-horsepower four-cylinder engine
All-wheel drive standard on both available trims (Premium I and Premium II)
26.9 cubic feet of cargo space
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Buick Envision an overall reliability rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Buick Envision 1st out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Buick Envision is $318, compared to an average of $494 for Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Buick Envision owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 5% for the Buick Envision, compared to an average of 14% for Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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