2020 Buick Envision

Big wheel wells are easily filled with the 19-inch wheels fitted to the Premium trim level, though the standard 17- and optional 18-inch wheels on other trims have bigger sidewalls that absorb bumps better. 

Inside, the Envision is again pleasing but not particularly interesting. Its dash is composed of organic shapes and its 8.0-inch touchscreen is conveniently if inelegantly mounted high. Climate control buttons mounted low serve as a minor distraction. Buick offers a broad color palette, but most versions that make their way to the U.S. are swathed in low-excitement tan or black inside. 

The turbo engine is smooth and peppy, and it works well with the standard 9-speed automatic transmission. It doesn’t wake the Envision up and turn it into a hot rod, but it suits the crossover’s soft ride and gentle handling well. Steering feel is nonexistent through the thick-rimmed wheel, but the Envision feels pleasantly confident at speed on a winding road. We prefer the 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels fitted to non-turbo Envisions, though the 19s don’t disturb the ride enough to upset us. 

Up front, the standard heated seats offer an unusually wide array of power adjustment on every trim level. The second row has decently large door openings and the bench is mounted high enough for good knee support. Three broad-shouldered adults are a no-go, however, as the interior is fairly narrow for a modern crossover SUV. 

With the rear seats upright, the Envision can hold 27 cubic feet of cargo. Fold the rear seats down and that figure climbs to about 57 cubes, which is five to 10 cubic feet less than many competitors. 

Materials are good throughout, but not special given the prices Buick charges. The standard cloth and synthetic leather upholstery doesn’t impress as much as the soft leather standard on Essence and higher trims.

Eight airbags including knee airbags for front-seat occupants are standard across the line, but that’s about as far as most Envision trim levels go. To get blind-spot monitors, Buick forces shoppers to step up to the Essence. Forward-collision warnings that sound a tone but don’t apply the brakes if they detect a potential impact are standard on the Premium. An extra-cost option package finally adds adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking to the Premium II, which results in a nearly $47,000 Buick. 

Crash-test results have been good for the most part, at least. The NHTSA awarded the all-wheel-drive Envision five stars overall, albeit four stars for frontal crash and four stars in the calculated rollover test. The IIHS hasn’t tested the latest Envision for its headlights, but last year’s model earned “Good” scores in every instrumented crash test.

Most buyers will find themselves starting instead at the Preferred trim level that costs about $1,500 more and yet adds nothing but a wider color palette and the option to spend an additional $1,800 for all-wheel drive. Buick regularly offers a rebate that brings the price of the Preferred down to the base Envision, however.

Safety takes priority when it comes to family haulers such as the Envision, which is why we would begrudgingly spend considerably more to step up to the $45,000 Premium II, which adds leather upholstery, cooled front seats, Bose speakers, navigation, the turbo engine, all-wheel drive, and a host of other goodies. Another $1,500 nets the Driver Confidence package that adds adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. It’s a shame that package isn’t offered on less-costly Envisions, as we would find more to recommend at a lower price point. 

Stick with the base engine and the Envision is more economical at 22/29/25 mpg with front-wheel drive but a so-so 21/27/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. The base engine uses regular unleaded.

Most competitors are rated at 24 to 26 mpg combined with similar turbo power, while the frugal Subaru Forester that squares off against the base engine is rated at a healthy 29 mpg combined.