Buick exists today as a semi-premium brand that sells small or midsize SUVs. The Envision compact SUV sits in the upper half of its model range, well above the subcompact Envista and Encore GX but below the flagship Enclave. Buick's "QuietTuning" chassis refinement and sound isolation, standard 30-inch curved display, stylish interiors, and unique front fascias position the Envision above equivalent Chevrolet models but not all the way to premium brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Lexus.
Produced over two generations since the 2016 model year, the Buick Envision was the first car sold in North America to be made in China and continues to be built by SAIC Motor in Shanghai. In every model year, the Envision offers a four-cylinder engine, a comfortable ride, and generous standard equipment.
In this Buick Envision buying guide, we’ll go over the details of both generations including which years are the best and worst and how much you should expect to pay for a used example.
Buick Envision Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Buick Envision years are the best?
The Buick Envision has a generally good record for reliability with comparatively few issues noted on sites such as CarComplaints.com. There are fewer problems with second-generation models, however, and these are much more stylish than the first-generation cars. For maximum value, we’d recommend a pre-facelift (2021-2023) second-generation model, which lists for around $20,000 to $39,000 on CarGurus.ca.
Which Buick Envision years are the worst?
Any first-generation Envision is the worst from a styling perspective as their van-like shape and technology have aged poorly. As for performance and reliability, they're fine.
How much does a late-model Buick Envision cost?
On CarGurus.ca, a 2025 Buick Envision lists for around $40,000 on average, a 2023 model for around $30,000, and a 2021 model for around $23,000.
Is a used Buick Envision a good deal?
Yes, a used Buick Envision can be a good deal. The Envision had an average list price on CarGurus.ca of around $33,500 at the time of writing, which included late-model vehicles that carried original prices above $50,000.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Large, simple displays (second generation)
- Turbocharged engines
Cons:
- Dated styling and technology (first generation)
- Not quick or unique enough to justify the price when new
- Short on true premium appeal
Buick Envision Generations
Buick Envision Second Generation (2021–Present)
Introduced for the 2021 model year, the second-generation Buick Envision looked like the upmarket SUV it had tried to be all along. The body was lower and wider than the first-generation car, and the interior was dramatically better. There were sportier-looking trims, too, yet the price stayed at a reasonable level.
Both engines from the first generation were dropped in favour of a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four that made 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission carried over but with a new electric gear selector on the column. AWD was optional on the base Preferred trim and standard on higher trims. Fuel economy was estimated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.2 on the highway, and 9.5 combined. 18-inch wheels became standard with 20-inch wheels available. Cargo space was reduced to 714 litres or 1,493 litres with the rear seats folded.
The number of trims to three: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir. LED headlights and taillights were standard along with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated and power-adjustable exterior mirrors, dual-zone climate control, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 10-inch infotainment screen. Standard driver assistance and safety features included high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more.
The Essence trim added a power-adjustable front passenger seat, an 8-inch instrument cluster display, leather upholstery, and heated rear seats. On-board navigation, front park assist, a head-up display, and a garage door remote could be added as options.
On the top Avenir trim, those optional features were added as well as 20-inch wheels, a 110-volt power outlet, ventilated front seats, a massaging driver’s seat, a surround-view camera, a nine-speaker stereo, and wireless smartphone charging. A technology package was available for this trim with a continuous damping control suspension, adaptive cruise control, enhanced collision avoidance, enhanced park assist, and a digital rearview mirror with a washer.
The 2021 Envision was not rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but received a five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including for the front crash tests.
For 2022, a Sport Touring package was added for the Essence trim with ST logos and other cosmetic upgrades. The 2024 Envision received a dramatically new front end with a modern style similar to that of other Buick models. The interior received a new dashboard with a standard 30-inch display and updated infotainment software. Essence was renamed to Sport Touring, and FWD trims were dropped. There have been no further significant changes to the second-generation Envision.
As of autumn 2026, new prices for the Buick Envision started at $48,599 (including the $2,300 destination charge) for the Preferred, $50,799 for the Sport Touring, and $56,699 for the Avenir. Listing prices on CarGurus.ca for used Envision models from 2021 to 2025 range from around $20,000 to $50,000.
Buick Envision First Generation (2016–2020)
The Buick Envision was introduced in mid-2016 to fill the sizeable gap in Buick’s SUV range between the subcompact Encore and the three-row midsize Enclave. Sharing a chassis and powertrains with the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, the Buick Envision became the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in North America.
It was initially available in Premium I or Premium II trim with a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four and AWD. The engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, made 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Natural Resources Canada fuel economy was estimated at 11.8 L/100 km city, 9.1 highway, and 10.6 combined.
While the tall roof allowed for generous headroom, the exterior styling was drab and leagues away from that of the Lexus NX, Audi Q5, and other compact luxury SUVs that Buick claimed were the Envision's competitors.
Standard equipment for Premium I trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, power-adjustable heated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker Bose stereo. Safety features included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking.
For the 2016 to 2020 model years, the Envision scored the maximum Good rating in five crash tests conducted by the IIHS. However, it was never awarded a Top Safety Pick and its driver assist features were rated as the lowest "Basic" level. The Envision received a five-star safety rating from the U.S. NHTSA despite earning only four stars in the frontal test.
For 2017, Buick expanded the Envision lineup to include two cheaper trims, Preferred and Essence. These trims came with all-wheel drive paired with a 2.5-litre inline-four with 197 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Envision received a mild refresh with a new grille insert (with chrome bars extending from the Buick logo), restyled bumpers, and new wheel designs. Xenon headlights became standard, while Premium trim models offered LED headlights. All trims came with LED taillights. A nine-speed automatic transmission was paired with the turbocharged engine. Due to customer complaints across the General Motors lineup, Buick added a switch to deactivate the engine auto stop-start system. The brake booster was retuned for less pedal effort, the heated seats got hotter faster, a new microphone improved audio quality for phone calls and voice recognition, the backup camera was a better resolution, and there was a new wireless charging pad. An air ionizer was included as well as an alert to assist with airing the tires to the correct pressure. There were no significant changes for 2020.
Average list prices on CarGurus.ca for the first-generation Buick Envision ranged from around $12,000 to $25,000 at the time of writing.
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