2013 was a great year for Buick->ke17. GM's->ke2320 mid-level luxury brand sold a little over one million vehicles worldwide, topping a sales record that dates back to 1984. Deliveries of the Encore and Enclave models were decisive for the company's growth, which is why Buick is adding a third crossover->ke288 to its lineup as we move into the 2015 model year. Dubbed Envision, the new hauler slots between the Encore and the Enclave, in an already packed segment.

Launched on the Chinese market at first, with a North American release likely to follow for the 2016 model year, the Buick Envision comes with a couple of segment-first features. Additionally, the new crossover marks a premier for the brand, being the first Buick-badged vehicle to sport an Off-Road driving mode.

As with most GM vehicles built and launched in China, the Envision is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder unit that comes with decent output figures and a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission. The crossover promises to deliver class-leading fuel economy of nearly 27 mpg combined. Read on for the full details.

Updated 09/01/2014: Buick unveiled a series of new images and details on the new Envision. Click past the jump for more details.

Click past the jump to read more about the Buick Envision

2015 Buick Envision

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Buick Envision
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 256 @ 5500
  • Torque: 260 @ 5300
  • Transmission: six-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Loosely based on the Buick Envision Concept that was introduced in 2011, the production Envision borrows the study's muscular profile and hood. From the front, the Envision is a toned down version of the concept, with many of its styling cues mirroring the current Buick language.

The waterfall grille, the wing-style xenon headlamps, and the boomerang-shaped LED daytime lights make the Envision look like a shrunken Enclave, currently Buick's larger crossover. Only minor details such as the foglamp housings and the lower front apron set it apart as a brand-new model. That's not a bad thing, however, as the Enclave carries one of the more attractive design in the crossover market.

Around back, the Envision features large, LED taillights. A chrome trim that includes the Buick logo resides right between them, while the curved rear glass reminds us of the other two crossovers in the company's lineup. From the side, the Envision has gained its own design, incorporating styling cues not seen on either the Enclave or Encore. The profile is highlighted by a prominent line going across the doors and toward the taillights, just under the waist, while a deep character line further emphasizes the lower body.

Five exterior colors are available for the crossover: Snowy White, Glacier Silver, Pearl Black, Topaz Brown and Sky Purple. 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels come standard.

Exterior Dimensions

Measurements

Length

183.74 Inches

Width

72.4 Inches

Height

66.7 Inches

Wheelbase

108.3 Inches


Interior

While the Envision’s exterior won’t drive anyone crazy, its interior comes with many segment firsts. Buick brags about a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and active noise cancellation technology, both introduced for the first time in this segment.

Other than that, the cabin features the company’s already familiar 360-degree integrated design complemented by a bevy of new elements. The "streamlined" dashboard includes a left-tilted center console, an eight-inch color touchscreen with classy Black Piano trim surrounds, and chrome trim details all around.

The center console area is wrapped in leather, as are the split center armrest and a large portion of the door panels. In the vehicle shown above, most leather surfaces come in Burgundy, a color that adds a dash of style and lightness compared to the regular black. Speaking of lightness, the Envision is also fitted with a large panoramic sunroof that includes an electronically operated sunshade. If you're looking for a darker cabin, Buick also offers a Swallowtail Black interior with Piano Black accents and French-style dual stitching.

Its 2,750mm (108.3-inch) wheelbase promises a lot of legroom, especially in the rear compartment. The crossover's split rear seats fold flat and can slide forward or backward to provide up to 1,550 liters (54.7 cubic feet) of space for carrying cargo.

The Flex-Ride system offered on the Envision brings four driving modes - Normal, Tour, Sport, and Off-Road. Convenience features include Park Assist and Lane Departure Warning.

Drivetrain

The Buick Envision will be launched with GM’s familiar turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-banger under the hood. Mated to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel-drive system, the unit is rated at 256 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Already a fuel sipper, the four-pot comes with stop/start technology for even better fuel economy. GM promises a combined fuel economy of 8.8 liters/100km on the Chinese cycle, which would mean nearly 27 mpg combined in United States.

More powertrains are likely to be introduced later in the crossover's life cycle, including a smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder in China and maybe a V-6 for the U.S. market.

The Envision also comes with a new, intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Offered for the first time by General Motors, the system features two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches in the rear axle and provides a variable front-to-rear torque split and a 0:100 100:0 rear torque split. Buick claims this AWD unit is more responsive, flexible and efficient, and delivers enhanced ride comfort and dynamics when compared to conventional all-wheel-drive systems.

Engine Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter inline-four cylinder

Horsepower

256

Torque

260 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed automatic transmission

0 to 62 mph

8.4 seconds

Top speed

130 mph (estimated)


Suspension

The Buick Envision rides on a MacPherson strut front suspension, an updated, fully independent four-link rear suspension, and a full front subframe. The chassis gives the crossover rigidity and precise handling, while an Off-Road mode that enables drivers to use the vehicle on "slippery, unstable or bumpy surfaces".

Pricing

Pricing has yet to be released as of 09/01/2014, but more details should become available as the vehicle is getting close to its on-sale date. The crossover will only become available in China at first, but a U.S. introduction is very likely next year.

Competitors

GMC Terrain

A tad shorter than the Terrain (4.1 inches), the Buick Envision seems luxurious enough to compete against the rebodied Chevrolet Equinox. Launched in 2009 and facelifted for the 2013 model year, the Terrain has already established itself as a rugged-looking and powerful crossover. The boxy, yet muscular exterior is complemented by a clean interior that's user-friendly and easy to look at. The seats are wrapped in two-tone leather, while a satin metal trim adds signals the Terrain is the Equinox's luxurious brother. The laundry list of standard interior features includes a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, premium front seats, and a six-speaker audio system.

Power is provided by either a 2.4-liter inline-four or a 3.6-liter V-6. The four-banger generates a reasonable 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque and returns up to 32 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. The brawnier unit is rated at 301 ponies and 272 pound-feet. While the V-6 is obviously the more exciting engine of the two, its fuel economy drops to 24 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. The 2014 Terrain retails from $27,390, but it can fetch more than $36,000 in Denali trim.

Toyota Highlander

Unveiled in 2013, the third-generation Toyota Highlander arrived in showrooms with a series of new features, including an updated exterior designed, a refined interior and a new six-speed automatic with sequential shift for the V-6 models. Although it's not as fancy as the Terrain, the Highlander can be equipped with a bevy of premium interior features such as perforated leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The chrome and wood inserts spread throughout the cabin offer the Japanese crossover a more luxurious feeling.

Three engine are available in the Highlander. The base model is powered by a 2.7-liter four-pot that delivers 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, while the range-topping gasoline version comes with a 270-pony and 248-pound-feet, 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood. Lastly, a hybrid version pairing the V6 and a high-torque electric motor pumps a total of 280 horsepower. The sticker is set at $29,020, while the top-of-the-league Platinum models can cost more than $42,000. The hybrid models are priced from $47,300.

Conclusion

Given the success achieved with the Encore and Enclave, especially in China but in the United States as well, it was only natural for Buick to add another crossover to its lineup. Fortunately, the Envision is not just filling a gap, as it comes with features of its own and a couple of segment firsts. Granted, the Envision joins a tough market with many potent competitors, but if Buick plays it cards right, we could be looking at yet another successful Trishield-badged crossover.