Buick Envision

The Buick Envision is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Buick brand since 2014. It is exclusively manufactured in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture, supplying the Chinese and North American markets.^[3]

Buick Envision
Overview
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Production	2014–present
Model years	2016–present (North America)
Assembly	China: Yantai (SAIC-GM)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact crossover SUV[1][2]
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive

Concept

The Envision was first introduced in 2011 as a design concept.^[4] It was a small crossover with two large scissor doors opening upward. The concept was a plug-in hybrid with advanced technology such as a solar roof and heads-up display. The waterfall grille made it to the production version of the Envision.

First generation (2014)

First generation
2016 Buick Envision (pre-facelift; US model)
Overview
Production	2014–2023
Model years	2014–2023 (China) 2016–2020 (North America)
Designer	Jeasoo Kim[5]
Body and chassis
Platform	GM D2XX
Related	Chevrolet Equinox GMC Terrain
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline: 1.5 L LFV turbo I4 (China) 2.0 L LTG turbo I4 2.5 L LCV I4
Transmission	7-speed DCT 6-speed automatic 9-speed automatic (2.0 L)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4,667 mm (183.7 in)
Width	1,804 mm (71.0 in)
Height	1,660 mm (65.4 in)
Curb weight	1,835 kg (4,045 lb)

Buick Envision, pre-facelift (rear view)

The Envision was first introduced in China in August 2014, also known by its Chinese name, “Ang Ke Wei” (昂科威).^[6] It went on sale in China on October 20.^[7]

The Envision debuted in the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show on January 11, 2016,^[8] sharing the segment with a second generation GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox.^[9] It went on sale in the United States in the summer of 2016, making it the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in America.^[10] It was initially offered with all-wheel drive, and subsequently with optional front-wheel drive for model year 2017.

The North American version of the Envision features two powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 197 hp (147 kW) and 192 lb⋅ft (260 N⋅m) torque, and a turbo-charged 2-liter four-cylinder engine SAE certified at 252 hp (188 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) torque. Both were initially paired with a third-generation six-speed transmission. For the 2016 model year, the Envision was only available in Premium I and Premium II trim levels, with the 2.0L turbo engine, seven active safety technologies, and OnStar/Intellilink connectivity.^[11] The trim levels expanded to five for the 2017 model year.^[12]

In addition to the larger engines offered in North America, Chinese buyers also have the option of a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit.

Trim levels for the first generation Envision were known as the 20T and 28T.

2019 facelift

The 2019 Envision debuted in late 2017 in China^{[clarification needed]}, and in 2018 for the North American market. It features revised rear styling and tail lights, stop/start calibration, and new seating design.^[13] The transmission for the 2.0-litre turbo engine was upgraded to a 9-speed automatic.

• 
  2019 Buick Envision (facelift)
• 
  2019 Buick Envision (facelift)

2020 facelift

The 2020 Envision facelift debuted in early 2020 in China, and would be sold alongside the second generation models called the Envision S in China. It features revised front and rear end styling.^[14]

• 
  2020 Buick Envision (China, facelift)
• 
  2020 Buick Envision (China, facelift)

Second generation (2021)

Second generation
Overview
Also called	Buick Envision S (China)
Production	2020–present
Model years	2021–present
Body and chassis
Platform	E2XX
Related	Cadillac XT4
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L LSY turbo gasoline I4
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,779 mm (109.4 in) 2,833 mm (111.5 in) (Plus)
Length	4,636 mm (182.5 in) 4,845 mm (190.7 in) (Plus)
Width	1,882 mm (74.1 in)
Height	1,641 mm (64.6 in)
Curb weight	1,672–1,784 kg (3,686–3,933 lb)

In May 2020, GM introduced the second generation of the Envision in the United States.^[15] It is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 hp (170 kW) and 258 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2021 Envision includes a suite of standard safety features, including blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert. Four trim levels are offered: base, Preferred, Essence, and for the first time, Buick's premium Avenir trim.^[16]

In China, the new Envision is sold alongside the first-generation Envision as the Envision S.^[17] The new Envision continues to be assembled in China at the SAIC-GM Dongyue Motors plant in Yantai alongside the previous generation model.^[18] The second generation Envision now shares the E2XX platform with the Cadillac XT4.

• 
  Buick Envision S Avenir (Rear view)
• 
  Interior

Envision Plus

Launched during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, the Buick Envision Plus is a stretched version of the Envision that serves as a three-row crossover SUV variant of the regular Buick Envision S in China. The wheelbase has been extended to 2,833 mm (111.5 in), resulting in a length of 4,845 mm (190.7 in).^[19]

• 
  2021 Buick Envision Plus
• 
  2021 Buick Envision Plus (rear)

• 
  2021 Buick Envision Plus Avenir
• 
  2021 Buick Envision Plus Avenir (rear)

2024 refresh

The Envision received a facelift for the 2024 model year. This includes front design changes and new dashboard-mounted digital displays.

GM also planned the introduction of Super Cruise, but it was not realized due to the delay in its launch.^[20]

• 
  2024 Buick Envision S
• 
  2024 Buick Envision S (rear)
• 
  2024 Buick Envision Plus
• 
  2024 Buick Envision Plus (rear)

Sales

In 2017, the Envision was Buick's third bestselling model in the U.S. with sales of just over 41,000 units. Sales in the U.S. dropped 27% in 2018 but rebounded slightly in 2019. In 2020, Envision was the only Buick model in the U.S. to see a sales increase over 2019.

Calendar year	United States	China[21]
2014		19,683
2015		162,941
2016	14,193[22]	275,383
2017	41,040[23]	236,229
2018	30,152[24]	191,029
2019	33,229[25]	132,568
2020	34,942[26]	167,880
2021	46,450	146,476
2022	25,871[27]	130,181
2023	44,281[28]
2024	47,340[29]

Tariff impact

On August 6, 2018, General Motors announced that it might withdraw the Envision from the United States and Canada markets due to the President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods should its request to seek a tariff waiver for the vehicles be denied. The automaker saw the exemption as "the only way" to continue offering the vehicle to U.S. consumers, according to GM President Dan Ammann.^[30] The exemption was denied on May 29, 2019, but GM opted to pay the tariffs without raising the price on the vehicle.^[31][32]