2025 Buick Envision

Pros

• Peaceful interior.
• A ride that is smooth over bumps.
• A good enough number of high-end features for the price.

Cons

• The materials used inside are not up to luxury standards.
• The Cargo area is small.

In what way does the Envision move? When you step on the gas, the Envision gets to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is pretty fast for a small SUV. From the driver’s seat, it doesn’t feel very fast, which could be good for people who like quiet confidence over big productions. There is a nice feeling when you press down on the gas pedal. The brakes also work better than average. The car can come to a controlled stop in an emergency because the stopping distance is short. It feels good to press on the pedal.

The handling is all right, but there is some noticeable body roll. The Envision isn’t a fun SUV to drive, but at normal speeds, it feels safe.

How warm and cozy is the Envision? The front seats can be adjusted in many ways, so most drivers will be able to find the best position for them. The bottom seat cushion is a little too short, though, for taller people. The firm padding might make some spots hard after a few hours. Even though they aren’t as strong as those in high-end luxury models, the massage functions are nice to have when you start to feel those sore spots.

The quality of the ride is very high. It speaks softly and can get through many rough spots that other SUVs have trouble with. The cabin is very quiet and blocks out most of the wind and road noise.

How is the condition of the inside? The design of the inside is simple but classy. The center dash section in Buick was angled toward the driver to make it easier to reach. The push/pull button gear selector is easier to use and takes up less space on the center console than other automakers’ options.

Taller people may find long trips uncomfortable because the space inside is average for the class. Good-sized roof pillars and the high resolution of the available surround-view camera system make it easier to see outside. There isn’t much to be happy about or complain about in general.

What’s wrong with the tech? Because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both work without a cord, you don’t need one to connect your phone to the touchscreen. However, during our tests, Apple CarPlay over wireless was so slow to respond, so we had to use the USB cable instead. The Envision has a voice command system that works well, but it can’t understand natural speech.

There is a 10-inch touchscreen that looks great. That being said, it’s strange that Buick put the knob for the infotainment system right next to the screen. You already have to reach for the dashboard to use the touchscreen, so why put them together? Because that’s where your hand usually rests, it would have made more sense to put the controller there.

The Envision’s driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, are fine-tuned and work perfectly. There was never a false alarm. The Bose system’s sound quality gets worse at higher volumes, and the bass isn’t very good. Even though the system has been upgraded, the quality is fine but not great at moderate volume.

What’s going on with storage? The Envision’s cargo space is only 25.2 cubic feet, which is a lot less than a typical small SUV’s. There are no unique shelves or bins for storage in the Buick, but there are hooks that can be used to keep grocery bags in place. The liftover height is about average, and the hands-free hatch works.

Inside, there is a lot of storage space. There is a bin under the center armrest, cupholders, and door pockets that are a good size. The pad may help your phone stay in place while it charges wirelessly. Do you have any kids? Installing a big rear-facing infant seat will take up more space in the front seat, but car seat anchors are easy to find.

How much fuel does it use? The EPA says that the front-wheel-drive Envision should get 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, thanks to its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. We got an average of 28.8 mpg on our 115-mile test route, which included a lot of highway driving, which showed that the estimates were right.

Why is the Envision a good deal? It fills a unique need, providing better quality materials on the outside and inside than the average small SUV. It can be bought in both high-end and low-end segments, but it’s less high-end or cheap than a top European small SUV.

The six-year and 70,000-mile roadside assistance coverage from Buick is great, but the warranty coverage is about average for this class. That’s better than most of the other stuff out there. A nice bonus is that the first maintenance visit is free.

The Envision shows what it can do in terms of comfort and performance, but it needs to improve in one area. It could be seen as either a more affordable luxury SUV or a more stylish mainstream SUV, but we think only some people will want to buy one.

Buick sees the Envision as a positive step forward. It’s elegant and subtle, and it looks good. It communicates effectively without using many words.

The Envision’s base price is more like that of affordable small SUVs, so we strongly suggest that you buy the fully equipped Avenir. It’s a high-end SUV that costs less than classic high-end models like the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. It has features like adaptive suspension, ventilated front seats, quilted leather, and a massaging driver’s seat.