My wife bought a brand new 2021 Envision Essence when they 1st hit the market. FWD with a full panoramic roof. Has driven it for 2 1/2 years hasn’t found a fault to date. Absolutely loves this vehicle. Comfortable, quiet ride as with most Buick vehicles. Two things stand out from 1st generation Envisions, do not need to run premium fuel, and instead of sharing the platform with the Chevy Equinox it now rides on the Cadillac XT4 platform. One more thing is the obvious beautiful design changes. All in all good move Buick it cost less than most luxury SUV’s and competes with most of them.
Congrats on another great review, Brian. Your presentation style is so smooth and uninterrupted, just like a regular conversation should be. Keep up the excellent work!
It’s amazing how much the interior of this looks like my Bolt EUV. The steering wheel and controls, stalk controls, infotainment, shifter, window controls, interior door handles, even the cup holders look the same as my Bolt EUV
Great review. Since I bought my first Mazda CX5 in 2015 we’ve seen nearly every brand come out with their own copycat version. The Buick is about as close a copy (in appearance) to the CX5 one could get without being sued for patent infringement. Buicks used to be our favorite cars until the rendezvous that chewed through brakes and wheel bearings. After the AWD failed, we swore- never again. I’ve been super happy in my second CX5 GT and probably will stick with the original!
My gf bought one recently and she loves it! She's still learning to use the parking and massage features but she's all about it! I think the biggest compliment to the Envision is that I haven't heard anyone comment that it's a Chinese built product, which goes to show how quality built it is.
Unfortunately, my STRONG advice would be to do another vehicle. I recently bought a 2022 loaded Avenir in the exact same color. I am already dealing with technology/ system issues. Most recently, an expensive front sensor which Buick is claiming was somehow hit by a rock or something, when the entire front end of the vehicle is still pristine and absolutely no damage. I am forced to pay a big repair bill for the part. The technology is plentiful, but nowhere near as reliable as my last vehicle, a BMW X3. Extremely disappointing for someone who drove a Buick Lacrosse that I liked for nearly a decade before.
Nice reverse zoom in interior view around the 5:06 mark. This originally was a zoom in, so the bicycles in the background are going backwards. Cheeky but useful editing trick.
Cornering lamps have been around for 60 years. It's an easy implementation on most vehicles. Used to be optional on some really cheap cars in 70s and 80s. Something that's been decontented from most vehicles because of cost.
I'll take the Venza, thanks. Nice review, young assistant. Tell Alex to ditch the roller bags and show us rear hatches with seats folded down - as you did.
Own the first generation Envision. Now approaching 5 years old. Never had a problem with about 66,000 miles now. Plan to keep it at least 10 years if not more and 120,000 miles. Hopefully continues to not have any issues (most my cars last that long without many problems because I pick cars not the first year in production from certain brands like Toyota, Subaru, and GM). Still like it better than the Venza, Countryman, and XC40 just like when I bought it. So does my family - particularly on long highway trips.
I planned on buying one, but there are so few of them to buy! Great design, great value, and great quality and reliability! But no dealers have any Avenirs to selll. I'm giving very serious consideration of a Volvvo XC 40.
While the Envision is the best looking Buick today, I think the Toyota Venza and the Mazda CX-5/CX-50 are more compelling options in the semi-premium compact crossover space.
I've owned my 2021 Envision Avenir since August of 2021 and love it. I sold my 2017 Cadillac CT6 because it rode too firm and I was having trouble getting out of it with my current health issues. I owned a 2014 Enclave before the CT6 and I like the Envision better ( the Envision doesn't ride quite as smooth, but it's the perfect size for me ) The 2.0 turbocharged four has enough power. Unlike most people, I actually like the push/pull transmission selector - much better than the stiff, clunky handles in the CT6 and Enclave. I love the articulating headlights with the "splash" of light when turning a corner at night - it makes driving at night much easier than my previous cars.
There's something about GM where no matter how much they try to make a car luxurious, it still looks rental car cheap on the inside. They can check off the boxes of what makes a car luxurious but the result remains thoroughly mediocre.
Because your brain already has a negative image of the brand. If this car is marked as some brand you have a favorable view of you won't feel this at all.
The envision is the best looking of the bunch. If only they could get 500 to 700lb off, it would handle better and perform better. The venza seems the most sensible and Pragmatic choice. Decent performance and great resale value.. plus Toyota reliability. If I really had to choose, buick would be an emotional buy but Venza, the sensible buy. At the end, everyone should choose what resonates best with them.
So many options or packages for the top of the lines Avenir...should just include all those wanted goodies under the avenir label...GM feels too BMW now! Thx!
I tryed this car about 3 months ago and i was super hyped that it had adaptive suspension, but it wasn't comfortable like i thought it would be and in sport mode, it doesn't have enough body control. I finally bought a Mazda CX-50, it's more comfortable, has better handling and it's better imo in almost every aspect.
Excellent review. For me, it's either this or the least sporty Camry. I have chronic pain and I'm disabled, so I need a comfortable car. It's a shame Buick doesn't make a sedan anymore, but it is what it is. Obviously, given that I'm far more interested in the comfort side of things, your scores for the sportiness and weight don't worry me. My first car was a 1990 Chrysler 5th Avenue and while probably nothing will ever touch that car unless you get into the $150+ range for comfort (I have the fantastic velour seats that nobody uses anymore), this looks like it will do the job. My 300C was probably the most comfortable new car I've ever driven. I have no problem being that guy driving the "grandpa car." Better than being that guy popping a lot of pain pills and spending lots of money on the chiropractor.
I still wish they offered it available with the interior of the Avenir and the exterior of the ST package. I like the black wheels and trim, and want the more luxurious interior.
Interior thoughts: That second row vent set up looks so chincy. The previous generation had the tri climate zone set up and designed more tastefully. Cargo thoughts: 25cuft? That's awfully compact. I assumed the Kia Sportage competed with this kind of SUV but are they in different classes, because the Sportage has 39.6cuft of cargo.
If you wait a couple of months, you could buy one directly from the Chinese manufacture, with the Chinese name included! If you want to trust your family with a Chinese car.
Sorry but I would take the Toyota Venza over this Buick. Trust me the Venza rides a LOT better then the Buick. The Venza is Lexus Like. I was born in Buick Town and I loved Buick but that was 20th Century Buick and not what they have become today. For example the LeSabre Limited was a dream to drive. However, today I would take Toyota over all of GM. Mainly reliability. Something you did not mention about this Envision. Because with the cost of vehicles today then RELIABILITY and LONGEVITY are Paramount. Something that GM has forgotten.
Weird, I own this vehicle in China and it has the auto hold, it replaced the traction control button and the traction control is integrated into the center screen...I don't understand why they removed auto hold for the US version.
It’s a nice looking SUV but it will be a cold day in hell before I purchase a fully assembled and shipped from China built car masquerading as a General Motors Buick envision!
Glad to see the latest review. I am very impressed with the Envision and drove it a few weeks ago. I’ll likely choose it to replace my disappointing NX late next year. I’m curious what Buick will do with the ‘24 version as it would be time for the mid-cycle refresh. Make mine an Avenir Garnet/Beige AWD, please.
I'm very interested in both the Buick Envision Avenir and the Toyota Venza Limited (top / fully loaded trim levels of both). Pricing, features, and acceleration all appear to be similar, and both have a smooth ride. Overall, I like the exterior styling of the Envision a little more, and the Envision seems to have a slightly more luxurious interior. But the Venza's advantages are its fuel economy (it's a hybrid) and its perceived reliability and resale value (it's a Toyota). Envision owners, would you please comment on your vehicle's fuel economy and reliability? Are you getting close to the EPA number for fuel economy, and do you just use regular (87 octane) gas? Have you had any serious issues with reliability thus far?
My 2023 has less then 2,000 miles and transmission went.. mpg 25 mostly city.. tested tranny fluid and it had metal flakes in it. Noticed a noise at 500 miles.... But I do like it just unlucky
@@vicariousity3046 yes, i knew...but was sarcastically implying this reviewer kinda left out importantdetails when reviewing this car. this is happening more and more as they get payment from the manufacturer to do the reviews
@@tomsaikaly3634 , No, but I'd rather buy a Japanese or USA made car. Frankly probably most of what we buy these days is made in China whether we like it or not.
Brian is a worthwhile addition to the show, but he needs to slow down. He could not speak any quicker if he tried. As a non-American, I struggle to understand him most of the time. Regarding the car, the Envision is exclusively made in China. so that is a non-starter for me. It is a shame there is no hybrid option. Keep up the good work Brian.
Styling ripped directly from a 7 year old Mazda= Buick innovation. Realize that we all have verbal ticks, but IMHO you should try to drop all the "super" modifiers. You don't need them. Good job otherwise.
Trying to slip under the radar here leaving out key words to let everyone know my original comment was removed for stating not to buy this car due to supporting where it's built and that we need jobs here. We're being watched and cnsrd for sure. I hope the Big-G isn't sophisticated enough to remove this one too.
@@ALMX5DP Thanks for offering that. But no, there wasn't anything like that at all. It was a respectful request to people, and it included a link to a recent page in US News of cars built here in the USA.
@@ALMX5DP Thank you. I'd say the times we're living in caused me to overthink. But on the other hand, I've never had that happen before, though the URLs have been a clear link to a business and not a page within a news organization as was with this. I appreciate what you offered, and I feel the better for it. Thank you, you're very kind to take time for me.
US tow ratings are such a farce, this vehicle could easily tow ~4000 lbs but it's rated for 1500 lbs, ridiculous. The only reaosn they do this is to push consumers towards more expensive vehicles.
Yea, no they are not. Two, TWO, different friends pulled weight over their tow ratings because they thought the same as you. Both had to get their transmissions replaced. I couldn’t believe it at first but after the second friend burned his minivan I knew it was true.
Wow, way too rushed and robotic review. It would seem you have no passion for automobiles and obviously can't remember features without needing notes. Slow down a bit, don't make it sound as if you are just reading quickly through a list of data on the vehicle. Know about the vehicle first. If you aren't passionate about automobiles it's going to show in your reviews as it does here.
I find his presentation style to be very similar to Alex's, which I assume is by design. With this sort of vehicle, how much passion can anyone be expected to have, really.
