2017 Buick Envision: Destined to be Popular

The 2017 Buick Envision’s arrival in the exceedingly popular luxury compact SUV segment is happening not a minute too soon. In fact, GM is arriving late to the party, but after the crisis in 2008, the manufacturer focused on developing key models that would help get it out of its funk, so it came as no surprise that Buick was put on the backburner. Despite the fact that the "semi-luxury" brand was in dire need of a boost, GM had bigger fish to fry.

A little less aristocratic than the models that belong to GM's real luxury division, Cadillac, the Envision is positioned between the little Encore and the enormous Enclave. It fills a significant void in the lineup and will help the brand win back customers who are increasingly turning their backs on cars in favour of SUVs.

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200,000 units already sold

Although the Envision is a newcomer to Canada, it’s a mainstay in China where, last year alone, more than 200,000 were sold. To put that into context, that's more than all Buicks models sold in North America combined. The brand is very popular in China, and that's actually one of the main reasons that it was spared during the purge. Some will be worried about the vehicle's Chinese origins, assembled, as it is, entirely in China, but GM assures us that it meets the same specifications that the brand demands of all its models.

The 2016 edition of the Buick Envision had only one available engine, but that won't be the case for 2017. There will be two more-affordable versions added to the offer, one of which to include a 2.5-litre, 197-horsepower mill. If you're thinking that those numbers sound a tad minimalist, you're absolutely right. It seems that these days, buyers are a lot less concerned about power and a lot more concerned about fuel consumption and gadgets.

The more posh versions feature a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine developing 252 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine’s numbers are more in line with those of the competition. The good news is that all-wheel drive comes factory standard and the power is sent to the wheels by way of a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Envision has a new twin clutch all-wheel drive system that, rather than braking the skidding wheel, sends more power to the wheels that have more grip, making the system more efficient. It is reminiscent of Honda's SH-AWD.

Don’t expect anything very extravagant from the Buick Envision in terms of style. It blends into the crowd and is recognizable mainly from the front thanks to its grille, which is aligned with the brand's new products, as well as its air inlets located on each side of the hood. That it has conservative lines is no surprise—while GM definitely wants to lower the average age of Buick owners, which is one of the highest in the industry, they don't want to do too much, too fast. The use of LED illumination in the headlights and taillights gives it that modern touch.

On board, taste and quality are the watchwords. Soft materials are prominent and the stitching in the doors and the dashboard are eye-catching. The attention to detail is noticeable while the instrumentation is well laid out and easy to understand. The eight-inch touchscreen facilitates controlling several of the infotainment system components while the integrated Wi-Fi system (subscription required) will make everyone happy.

The back seats are pretty roomy, which is rare for this type of vehicle. The Envision's generous dimensions are the main reason for that, and the vehicle is 4.5 inches longer than the Lincoln MKC. The cargo capacity is also one of the most generous in the segment.

Comfort is king

On the road, Buick has remained true to what we're used to from them: a ride defined by comfort. And while comfort is king, driving pleasure isn't completely undermined. They managed to strike a balance that brings a bit of passion at the wheel. Note that our test vehicle had 19-inch wheels, which definitely had an impact on the driving experience.

The only engine available during our test drive was the most powerful one: the four-cylinder turbo. It turned out to be decent, but not overpowering. A little more spunk would have been nice, especially when several passengers are on board with all their gear. The engine has its hands full, especially since it has to power all four wheels. Thus, it would be safe to assume that the base engine will not be very energetic and probably not very economical under the circumstances. What's more, the turbo engine can work very well with regular gasoline, which helps it head-to-head versus the 2.5-litre, naturally aspirated engine.

The six-speed automatic gearbox more than holds its own with its prompt, lagless shifting. It makes good use of the available power while keeping rpms very low at cruising speed, thereby favouring fuel economy and helping to make the ride a quiet one. Speaking of which, the silent ride is one of the best things about the Envision.

The automatic stop/start system also improves the vehicle's fuel consumption by cutting the engine when stopped, but, unfortunately, it is impossible to deactivate it, which would be useful in certain situations, like when you’re stuck in gridlock traffic.

The 2017 Buick Envision is arriving in a segment that is already loaded and ultracompetitive. It doesn’t bow down to what the competition, but it doesn’t bring anything that shakes up the segment either, except perhaps when it comes to comfort on the road. One thing is certain: it will help the manufacturer attract new buyers in addition to quickly increasing the sales volume at Buick. You don’t need a crystal ball to see that it will soon become the brand’s bestselling vehicle.