Details about the 2021 Buick Envision have been released by GM, and excitement for the newly-designed model is already building. As GM draws the Buick lineup into offering only SUVs, the Envision prototype specs reveal a four-door crossover with a low profile and a wide stance, which will mean an SUV that will drive more like a car. For those who love the capabilities of an SUV—like all-wheel drive and handling rough roads—but don’t like driving a large vehicle, the 2021 Envision may fit the bill. Of course, Buick tends to hold a space of their own in the vehicle marketplace as a step between a luxury and an everyday car. The 2021 Envision will definitely have a luxury feel, especially with the much-anticipated Avenir trim level that already exists for the Enclave and the Regal.
Though the full specs on trim levels are yet to be released, the 2021 Envision is expected to be out on dealership lots in the early months of 2021. Until more details are shared from GM and Buick, we have several appealing highlights which offer a sneak preview of the vehicle to come. The interior and exterior show some promising design, technology, and safety features, which are sure to please both Buick enthusiasts and newcomers to the brand alike. Projected information about the engine, trim levels, and platform offer a look into what driving the Envision will be like.
Trim Levels and Pricing
GM has released four trim levels for the 2021 Envision: Base, Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir. Pricing begins at about $34,000 for 2021 models, which adds only $500 to the current Envision pricing for 2020. While exact specs for the trim levels are not yet released, some features which will be standard for all trim levels have been shared. Each trim will come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is the only engine option for all trims thus far. Front-wheel drive is also standard, with all-wheel drive optional on all but the base trim. Other features for the trims are broken down into categories below.
Exterior
Photos of the prototypes for the 2021 Envision show a crossover SUV with a low-slung body and a wide stance that, upon first glance, might fool you into believing it’s a car. The platform on which this SUV is built is shared by a few recognizable siblings like the Cadillac XT4, the Chevy Malibu, and the Buick LaCrosse, all midsize or large sedans. Rather than using a heavy truck frame, Buick has chosen a frame traditional for a car. This makes the body of the vehicle much lighter, and it is what gives the 2021 Envision its low profile and wide base. Invariably, this will please drivers who prefer the experience of driving a car over the higher-profile vehicles that most SUVs have become. The lower profile and lighter frame may also mean savings in the gas tank.
In typical Buick style, other exterior details of the 2021 Envision are classy, but not overstated. The front end is athletic and bold, but still rounded for aerodynamic functionality. Chrome details and a sharp-looking wheel design give the exterior a sense of expensive taste. Two exhaust pipes are hidden in the rear bumper to blend seamlessly with other attractive features in the LED taillights, the spoiler above the rear hatch, and the shark fin antenna. Features like 18-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, and the option of seven paint colors should be standard.
Reveals for the highly desirable Avenir trim offer up a pearl finish to those attractive wheels, as well as an upscale grille design like no other on the road. A panoramic moonroof will most likely be standard for the Avenir, but the remaining finishes remain a mystery. While Buick states that the prototype reveal may be subject to some changes, what we can see thus far appeals to a younger driver in a vehicle that offers both practicality and style to a uniquely designed SUV.
Interior
What has been offered about the interior thus far is more about safety features and tech, rather than design. Perhaps Buick is planning a surprise reveal for the interior, or maybe they just haven’t settled on the exact details yet. Either way, we can only speculate that given Buick’s usual tendency to err on the side of luxury, it’s likely that the interior of the 2021 Envision will be insulated by the Buick Quiet Tuning technology that’s found on most new Buicks. Upholstery and interior materials will be quality and soft-touch, seating is likely to be supportive and comfortable, and upper trims will most likely share the wood trim and leather that is typical of other Buick upper trims, particularly for the Avenir.
Technology
Standard tech features buyers can expect to see on the 2021 Envision are likely to be generous, particularly now that Buick has taken a turn toward a younger crowd. Modern life now seems inextricable from personal devices, with smartphones pervading our lives. Every trim level of the new Envision will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and will be loaded with an Alexa to connect with your Amazon device from home. Alexa connectivity will make it possible to share lists, music, navigation, and other information from your home so you can make a seamless transition from home to vehicle by simply telling Alexa what you need.
Other features Buick intends to include are an available 10-inch infotainment screen loaded with built-in apps like Spotify, Pandora, and Fox Sports. Wireless smartphone connectivity is also expected to be available, and Buick already incorporates Bluetooth and smartphone charging on 2020 Envision models. It’s likely to continue through to the next generation, too.
Safety Features
Buick shared an impressive list of standard driver-assisted safety features to be included on all trims of the 2021 Envision, all listed under the Driver Confidence package. Auto emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and forward collision alert will all employ an automated system designed to brake in order to avoid impacts. Lane keep-assist with lane departure warning and the following distance indicator will offer both warning signals and assistive driving to keep your vehicle safe in traffic if you get too close to other cars. Rear park assist will help drivers with parking and to avoid hitting vehicles behind you. The safety alert seat will vibrate as a warning in case of the danger of impact, and the HD rear vision camera has a clearer view of the rear of the vehicle with guides to help with driving in reverse.
Optional safety features that are more advanced can be found on upper trims. Instead of just assistance with parking, enhanced auto parking can take over the parking job for you. HD surround vision provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, and an additional rear view camera mirror uses a camera view instead of a mirror to allow better sight behind the vehicle. Lane change alert with side blind zone alert will add to the lane keep assist features to offer a warning before you try to change lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert and front park assist, plus a head-up display for the driver’s information to be viewed on the windshield are all additional features to be seen as options.
Summary
The second generation of Buick’s Envision is expected to seat five, and is being presented with a lot of emphasis on technology and design. Plenty of driver-assisted safety features abound for all trim levels, and modern drivers who love the convenience of their smartphone technology will be right at home with the connectivity options across the board. For the buyers seeking ultra convenience and comfort will be delighted by the Avenir trim, which will stand out in a parking lot. For SUV lovers, the new 2021 Envision should be a luxurious vehicle with plenty of interior comfort and space, and all the class and quality Buick tends to deliver.
