2021 Buick Envision SUV Review: A True Acura or Lexus Rival?
Stylish, comfortable and quiet, revised 2021 Envision has what it takes to give Buick an edge over the competition.
Buick is making a unique move with its Envision SUV, straddling the line between mainstream and traditional luxury brands, putting it squarely in the crosshairs of the Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50, Lexus NX and Lincoln Corsair, among others. However, Buick has put a bit of a unique twist on its latest SUV offering.
2021 Buick Envision SUV review DriveBreakFixRepeat Jake Stumph Racing
Stylistically, there doesn’t appear to be a bad angle on Envision. Buick’s new corporate front end, which features slim LED headlights and a tidy oval grille, is blended in with a decidedly European-inspired profile and rear end. While the black out treatment on this particular vehicle may not be to everyone’s taste, it is undeniably handsome.
The hardware is pretty good, as well, with the sole powertrain being a 2.0-liter turbo-four paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, drive is sent to the front wheels unless buyers tick the $1,800 box for all-wheel drive. While acceleration trails competitors like the Acura or Mazda’s CX-5 Turbo, the Buick’s smoother, quieter operation, thanks to that 9-speed unit, will certainly win over some buyers.
Fuel economy is competitive in the segment with EPA mpg numbers of 24 city, and 31 freeway for this front-driver, and in a week of real world driving the Buick returned exactly 27 mpg.
ALSO SEE: 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Review
Envision earns brownie points for not attempting to be overly and unduly sporty, a pitfall that some competitors have fallen into. Instead, Buick has tuned Envision to be quiet and comfortable, with things like an acoustically-laminated windshield and a soft suspension calibration that coddles occupants rather than shaking their fillings out.
2021 Buick Envision SUV review DriveBreakFixRepeat Jake Stumph Racing
The relaxed personality is complimented with a nice blend of standard tech (like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) to options like available Bose audio, and massaging seats available in the top trim Envision Avenir.
While pricing starts at $32,995, if buyers can cover the extra scratch for the Envision Avenir ($41,595) they will be rewarded with an excellent luxury value play. The Envision’s quiet cabin is fitted with heated and ventilated front seats, with a driver’s massage function, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, and the aforementioned Bose audio along with slick 20-inch wheels that bump up the curb appeal, among other goodies.
2021 Buick Envision SUV review DriveBreakFixRepeat Jake Stumph Racing
Envision Avenir undercuts the cost of its rivals, but manages to pull off not feeling like the discounted option, while having a unique personality, making it all seem like a very clever move by Buick.
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