Essence Front-Wheel Drive
2020 Buick Envision
The compact five-passenger 2020 Buick Envision is the first America-badged crossover SUV to be assembled in China. With the pleasantly-styled Envision, Buick hasn't changed much for the new model year, apart from updated touchscreen infotainment software. Once again, the Envision comes in base, Preferred, Essence, Premium I, and Premium II trim levels.
Two distinct 4-cylinder engines are available. The 2.5-liter base inline-4 is rated at a modest 197 horsepower. Mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, it comes with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Premium trim levels get a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4. More refined than the non-turbo, it sends power to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic.
Unlike most contemporary rivals, Buick has not made active-safety technology standard on the Envision. Forward-collision warnings are standard at Premium level and up. An extra-cost Driver Confidence option package for the Envision Premium II adds adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitors are included with Essence trim.
Crash-test results have been good, but not flawless. The NHTSA awarded the all-wheel-drive Envision five stars overall, but only four stars for the frontal collision. Rollover prevention (a calculated figure) also was rated four stars, which is typical for taller vehicles.
The IIHS gave the current-generation Envision 'Good'? scores in each of its instrumented crash tests. Headlights have not been evaluated, while ease of child-seat use earned a “Marginal” rating. Even with the appropriate option, frontal crash prevention was rated only “Basic.”.
Full Review
Full Review
With the pleasantly-styled Envision, Buick hasn't changed much for the new model year, apart from updated touchscreen infotainment software. Once again, the Envision comes in base, Preferred, Essence, Premium I, and Premium II trim levels.
Two distinct 4-cylinder engines are available. The 2.5-liter base inline-4 is rated at a modest 197 horsepower. Mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, it comes with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Premium trim levels get a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4. More refined than the non-turbo, it sends power to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic.
Unlike most contemporary rivals, Buick has not made active-safety technology standard on the Envision. Forward-collision warnings are standard at Premium level and up. An extra-cost Driver Confidence option package for the Envision Premium II adds adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitors are included with Essence trim.
Crash-test results have been good, but not flawless. The NHTSA awarded the all-wheel-drive Envision five stars overall, but only four stars for the frontal collision. Rollover prevention (a calculated figure) also was rated four stars, which is typical for taller vehicles.
The IIHS gave the current-generation Envision 'Good'? scores in each of its instrumented crash tests. Headlights have not been evaluated, while ease of child-seat use earned a “Marginal” rating. Even with the appropriate option, frontal crash prevention was rated only “Basic.”.
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Retail Price
| Engine | 2.5L I-4 |
| MPG | 22 City / 29 Hwy |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd auto w/OD |
| Power | 197 @ 6300 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
