All-New Sleek Design with Premium Touches
Buick isn’t messing around with the Envision. First introduced as a 2016 model, this Chinese-built compact crossover had a facelift in 2019 (when we last tested it), and two short years later, is all-new for 2021. The sleek design confused my neighbors into asking if it was a much pricier European model.
Clean Fleet Report drove the 2021 Buick Envision Avenir FWD. Avenir in Buick-speak means it is the top-of-the-line model. The Envision comes with one engine choice–a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and one transmission–a nine-speed automatic. The EPA rates the Buick Envision FWD at 24 mpg city/31 highway/26 combined miles per gallon. In our real-world experience, driving 251 miles through Southern California, we averaged 28.6 mpg. Part of those miles were a 190-mile all-freeway run with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 miles per hour, resulting in a 32.2 mpg average. To aid in fuel economy the Envision has the automatic stop/start feature where the engine shuts off when coming to a stop. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Driving Experience: On the Road
The transmission and engine combination provide peppy acceleration for the 3,759-pound Envision. With a low and usable torque range, kicking-in at 1,500 rpm and staying on through 4,000 rpm, the strong, smooth acceleration delivered 0-60 times around 6.0 seconds. The nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters and the driver selectable drive modes of Tour, Sport and Snow/Ice, provided linear acceleration and no turbo lag, with plenty of torque when needed.
The 245/45 Continental ProContact tires, on 20-inch wheels, gripped well and were quiet on the freeway. Maneuvering in town with the electric power steering, including parking, was easy in what is a well-balanced crossover. The Envision has something called “crosswind and road-shake stabilization” which must work as designed, as we felt neither. The suspension was tuned nicely, aiding the four-wheel disc brakes, with ABS and brake assist, in straight and true stops.
Design
Buick’s history leans on reserved styling, which always has been far more important than fads or trends. Painted in Ebony Twilight Metallic, our Envision had a restrained use of chrome, with few harsh edges making for a smooth, rich-looking crossover. The side details are attractive, and the 20-inch wheels, with a Pearl Nickel finish, an elegant touch.
The corners on the redesigned 2021 Envision have been softened, front and rear. The sculpted front end incorporates LED head and daytime running lights sitting outside the wide, and not-so-large, tasteful new grille, which was finished in tinted chrome. The LED tail lights are mere slits on the outer edges of the hands-free lift gate. All in all, the 2021 Envision will get your attention as something refreshing from Buick.
Inviting Interior
Clean Fleet Report’s 2021 Buick Envision Avenir was loaded with pretty much everything you would want or expect for a cushy driving experience. Starting with the perforated leather quilted seats, the fronts and the rear outboard seats are heated. The driver gets memory while both driver and front passenger get eight-way power adjustments, which includes four-way lumbar. Oh, the driver also gets massage! The center armrest has a split-wing design, where either front occupant can open one side without bumping the other’s resting elbow.
Rear seat head and leg room was ample for two adults, three in a pinch for a short trip. The 60/40 rear seat folds flat, revealing a handy 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Rear seat passengers also get power ports and air vents.
The center dash in our Envision housed a 10.2-inch diagonal color touchscreen, which is angled towards and tilts away from the driver. We liked the angle feature, but the tilt occasionally created a problem with screen wash-out when the optional panoramic moonroof was open. The touchscreen was the heart for the Bose audio system with nine-speakers for AM/FM and Sirius/XM. The screen also houses navigation and the high-definition surround vision. The infotainment system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which was an unexpected feature. The Bluetooth worked very well for audio streaming and voice recognition, with most of the entertainment conveniently being controlled by switches on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. A shout-out to Buick for knobs to control the radio and an easy learning curve for the dual-zone automatic climate control system.
The Envision is well-equipped with features including a floating console that provides underside storage, wireless phone charging, 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hot Spot, remote keyless entry with remote start, power adjustable and heated outside mirrors, power door locks, tire pressure monitor, keyless push button on and off, and OnStar.
A note regarding OnStar: a simple push of a button connects you with a friendly General Motors representative to handle emergencies, directions and general assistance to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable. This is one area where GM is the industry leader, and after the initial service plan expires, it is well worth renewing.
Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of the head-up display we found on the Envision, a safety feature that projects vital driving information on the windshield directly in front of the driver. This helps keeping eyes on the road, blunting a major cause of distracted driving.
Safety, Pricing and Warranties
The Envision comes with an extensive list of standard and optional safety features. When ordering your Envision, we advise getting as many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as possible. Begin with the Buick Driver Confidence package, which includes 10 airbags, automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert, stability control, lane change and blind zone alert, rear park assist with traffic alert, lane keep assist and front pedestrian braking. Also available on the Envision was the Teen Driver safety system, which helps teens develop safe driving habits.
To aid in rear visibility, the rear view mirror can act like a a high definition camera as well as a conventional mirror. The camera mode takes some getting used to, as the perspective is different, showing a wider view. I found it especially helpful when parking, used in conjunction with the multiple rearview cameras.
The 2021 Buick Envision FWD comes in three trims; these base prices include the $1,195 destination charge. Add $1,800 to each for AWD.
- Preferred $32,995
- Essence $36,995
- Avenir $41,395
Clean Fleet Report’s Envision Avenir FWD, with $3,910 in options and the $1,195 destination charge, had a MSRP of $45,305.
The 2021 Envision comes with these warranties:
- Bumper-To-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles
- Corrosion – Three years/36,000 miles
- Rust-Through – Five years/100,000 miles
- Courtesy Transportation – Five years/60,000 miles
- First Maintenance Visit
Observations: 2021 Buick Envision Avenir FWD
The three Envision trim levels of Preferred, Essence and Avenir received not only a new body design, but also a reduction in base prices for 2021. You can get into an Envision Preferred for up to $1,700 less than the previous year, but with more standard features.
The improved refinement of the build and materials is noticeable, as is the performance with the standard, higher output 2.0L turbo four-cylinder. The Buick Envision is more elegant than flashy, with a clean and contemporary exterior design that has premium touches in the tasteful interior. The Envision is quiet on the open road, and its ease of handling should be popular with small families and empty nesters.
While Clean Fleet Report tested the top of the line Envision Avenir, we recommend looking at the other two trim levels. You should be able to drive home for under $40,000, which would be a coup on your part, finding a quality crossover for this price.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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