The Buick Envision is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Buick brand since 2014. It is exclusively manufactured in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture, supplying the Chinese and North American markets.

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Concept The Envision was first introduced in 2011 as a design concept. It was a small crossover with two large scissor doors opening upward. The concept was a plug-in hybrid with advanced technology such as a solar roof and heads-up display. The waterfall grille made it to the production version of the Envision.

First generation (2014)

The Envision was first introduced in China in August 2014, also known by its Chinese name, “Ang Ke Wei” (). It went on sale in China on October 20.

The Envision debuted in the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show on January 11, 2016, sharing the segment with a second generation GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox."2016 Buick Envision Will Be All Wheel Drive Only" from GM Authority (January 9, 2016) It went on sale in the United States in the summer of 2016, making it the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in America. It was initially offered with all-wheel drive, and subsequently with optional front-wheel drive for model year 2017.

The North American version of the Envision features two powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with and torque, and a turbo-charged 2-liter four-cylinder engine SAE certified at and torque. Both were initially paired with a third-generation six-speed transmission. For the 2016 model year, the Envision was only available in Premium I and Premium II trim levels, with the 2.0L turbo engine, seven active safety technologies, and OnStar/Intellilink connectivity.2016 Buick Envision from GM Authority (March 28, 2016) The trim levels expanded to five for the 2017 model year."2017 Buick Envision To Start at $34,990" from GM Authority (April 11, 2016)

In addition to the larger engines offered in North America, Chinese buyers also have the option of a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit.

Trim levels for the first generation Envision were known as the 20T and 28T.

2019 facelift The 2019 Envision debuted in late 2017 in China, and in 2018 for the North American market. It features revised rear styling and tail lights, stop/start calibration, and new seating design.“2019 Buick Envision Bows With Updated Looks And Customer Focused Improvements” from GM Authority (February 26, 2018) The transmission for the 2.0-litre turbo engine was upgraded to a 9-speed automatic.

2020 facelift The 2020 Envision facelift debuted in early 2020 in China, and would be sold alongside the second generation models called the Envision S in China. It features revised front and rear end styling.“Images Of 2020 Buick Envision Facelift For China Surface” from GM Authority (October 21, 2019)

Second generation (2021)

In May 2020, GM introduced the second generation of the Envision in the United States. It is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing and torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2021 Envision includes a suite of standard safety features, including blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert. Four trim levels are offered: base, Preferred, Essence, and for the first time, Buick's premium Avenir trim.

In China, the new Envision is sold alongside the first-generation Envision as the Envision S. The new Envision continues to be assembled in China at the SAIC-GM Dongyue Motors plant in Yantai alongside the previous generation model. The second generation Envision now shares the E2XX platform with the Cadillac XT4.

Envision Plus Launched during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, the Buick Envision Plus is a stretched version of the Envision that serves as a three-row crossover SUV variant of the regular Buick Envision S in China. The wheelbase has been extended to , resulting in a length of .

2024 refresh The Envision received a facelift for the 2024 model year. This includes front design changes and new dashboard-mounted digital displays.

GM also planned the introduction of Super Cruise, but it was not realized due to the delay in its launch.

In January 2026, GM announced plans to move production of models sold in the U.S. to its Fairfax Assembly site in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2028.

Sales In 2017, the Envision was Buick's third bestselling model in the U.S. with sales of just over 41,000 units. Sales in the U.S. dropped 27% in 2018 but rebounded slightly in 2019. In 2020, Envision was the only Buick model in the U.S. to see a sales increase over 2019. Envision sales peaked in the U.S. in 2024 with over 47,000 units sold.

Calendar year United States ChinaEnvision SEnvision PlusTotal 2014 19,683 2015 162,941 2016 14,193 275,383 2017 41,040 236,229 2018 30,152 191,029 2019 33,229 132,568 2020 34,942 167,880 2021 46,450 146,476 2022 25,871 130,181 2023 44,28198,862 143,054 2024 47,34014,62360,206118,471 2025 41,92413,557101,086166,894

Tariff impact

On August 6, 2018, General Motors announced that it might withdraw the Envision from the United States and Canada markets due to President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods should its request to seek a tariff waiver for the vehicles be denied. The automaker saw the exemption as "the only way" to continue offering the vehicle to U.S. consumers, according to GM President Dan Ammann."Buick could pull Envision from U.S. without tariff exemption" from Automotive News (August 6, 2018) The exemption was denied on May 29, 2019, but GM opted to pay the tariffs without raising the price on the vehicle."US Denies GM Exemption On Tariffs For China-Made Buick Envision" from GM Authority (June 5, 2019)"Buick Envision May Be Spared As China Trade Deal Nears" from GM Authority (June 28, 2019) In January 2026, GM announced they would mitigate the impact of tariffs by shifting production and final assembly of the Envision from China to their production plant in Kansas City by 2028.

References

External links

(China, Envision S) (China, Envision Plus)