The 2021 Buick Envision Is Full of Disappointments
Uh oh, the 2021 Buick Envision may have dropped the ball. It’s supposed to serve as a luxurious SUV. However, critics are finding that the new Buick Envision is falling short in crucial areas.
Is the 2021 Buick Envision worth buying?
Yes, the 2021 Buick Envision starts at around $31,800. This makes it a bargain luxury option to consider. However, don’t get your hopes up for a refined ride or sporty handling. Despite being redesigned for 2021, the Buick Envision has a few issues to address.
According to Car and Driver, the Buick Envision Avenir fails to impress. This is the highest trim level that begins at around $47,105, while the fully-loaded Lincoln Corsair and Infiniti QX50 both start at about $60,000. But, on a positive note, you can save with the Envision.
The Avenir has quilted leather-appointed seats, a driver’s seat massage function, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and wireless charging. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, camera-fed rearview mirror, and self-parking assist.
But it’s tough to get comfortable in the driver’s seat with limited space. Plus, the plastic piano-black center console easily collects dust and smudges. According to Edmunds, taller passengers may feel cramped, and the outward visibility can be enhanced by the available surround-view camera system.
How does the new Buick Envision drive?
The 2021 Buick Envision has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 hp. It replaced the 2.0-liter turbo engine with 252-hp and the 2,4-liter four-cylinder engine with 197-hp. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.3 seconds. This is a fair amount of speed, but a luxury option should have a little more excitement.
It has a nine-speed dedicated manual mode that can help the Envision feel a little sportier. But it doesn’t feel quick and has decent handling with a noticeable body roll. At least it has a relatively quiet and smooth ride.
If you live in an area prone to inclement weather, the 2021 Buick Envision is available with all-wheel drive. It gets an EPA estimated 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, which is alright. AWD reduced the mpg by about two.
Buick Envision features
The 2021 Buick Envision comes with a 10.2-inch touchscreen that’s pretty responsive and easy to use. Also, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, so that’s a nice perk. But the connection can be slow, and devices work better with their cords.
Audio quality from the Bose system is subpar. It degrades at higher volumes, and the bass doesn’t exactly thump. At moderate volumes, the quality is decent but fails to impress for an upgraded system.
Edmunds found that the Buick Envision only offers 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This is below average for its class. Also, there aren’t many storage bins or shelves to store your stuff. Installing a rear-facing infant seat will be a tight squeeze. The door pockets are moderately sized, though. Plus, the hands-free hatch is convenient.
Overall, the 2021 Buick Envision feels a bit nicer than a standard compact SUV, but it lacks rivals’ luxury quality. It’s a middle option between standard options and other luxury SUVs and may lack value. Edmunds recommends considering other options.
