2026 Buick Envision Review

Slotting into a position between similarly sized entries from Chevrolet and Cadillac, the 2026 Buick Envision is the brand’s two-row compact SUV.

Currently imported from a General Motors (GM) plant in China, it’s expected to be redesigned and its production moved to an American facility, possibly for 2027. This year, its three trims start with the Preferred at $48,599, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,300. Tested here is the top-line Avenir, which is $56,699 before taxes.

Design: 8/10

While not a styling knockout, the Envision is well-proportioned, with a smooth profile and with 20-inch rims on the Avenir. This one was wearing a coat of Moonstone Grey paint, included in the price on the Avenir. That top trim has only one extra-charge colour, but on the Preferred and Sport Touring, anything other than white adds $495. Inside, the dash is dominated by a 30-inch screen, and with just enough brightwork to give the cabin some interest.

Safety: 8.5/10

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2026 Envision its top five-star crash-test rating. Oddly, as of this writing the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t smacked one up since 2020, when it got the top “Good” in all crash tests.

Standard driver-assist features across all trims include emergency front and rear braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot steering assist with rear cross-traffic braking, following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, rear seat reminder, safety alert seat, side bicyclist alert, teen driver controls, head-up display, automatic high-beam control, traffic sign recognition, and a panoramic camera. The Avenir adds a washer for the rear camera.

Equipment: 8/10

The Envision comes fairly well-featured at the entry Preferred level, including a hands-free tailgate, adaptive headlights, auto-dimming driver’s-side and rearview mirrors, that large screen with Google Built-In and wireless phone connectivity, heated seats and steering wheel, a wireless charger, and faux-leather upholstery.

At the Avenir level, items include adaptive suspension damping, a panoramic sunroof, 110-volt power outlet, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. But you have to move up to that top trim just to get a power passenger seat, since it’s not even in the $50,799 mid-range trim; and the Avenir’s driver gets a massaging seat but the passenger doesn’t, a poor decision in a premium vehicle.

User Friendliness: 8/10

While there are screen icons for climate functions, there are also hard buttons for temperature and fan speed, which helps reduce distraction; and when you go into the screen, the menus are intuitive. There’s also a large console dial for stereo volume. The doors open wide and it’s easy to get in and out.

Everyday Usability: 8/10

At 713 L of cargo volume with the rear seats up, the Envision doesn’t have as much space as some competitors, but it was still enough to handle groceries, as well as luggage when I took some friends to the airport. Small-item storage up front is good, including large door pockets and a bin under the centre console. Towing capacity is 800 kg (1,500 lb).

Comfort: 9/10

The front passenger may not get a massaging seat, but will be happy with the comfort level nevertheless. The ride is very smooth, with bumps sometimes heard but not felt. Front-seat legroom isn’t as much as in some competitors, such as the Lexus NX and Lincoln Corsair, but it still feels roomy; and there’s more legroom for the rear passengers than those have. The seats are supportive, the cabin is quiet, and it’s a really nice place to be.

Powertrain: 8/10

All Envision trims use a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and with all-wheel drive (AWD). It’s surprisingly peppy, handling highway merge ramps and acceleration from a stop with no issues. It can sometimes even be a little too eager, requiring a bit of throttle practice to handle low-speed duty in parking lots without a bit of a surge when moving forward.

Driving Feel: 8/10

The Envision has smooth, predictable handling, with well-weighted steering that’s light enough to be comfortable, but with enough resistance for a confident feel. The turning circle is tight for easy parking-lot manoeuvres, and it’s well-planted at highway speeds. It can be toggled between front-wheel drive-only or AWD, and in the latter, it primarily powers the front wheels but brings the rear ones in as needed for traction. I’m not sure why, since it makes more sense to stay in AWD in case a need arises; but once you select it it stays engaged rather than defaulting to front-wheel drive when the engine is started again.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates the Envision at 10.5 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 9.5 combined. In my week with it, I was right on that 9.5; and it takes regular-grade gasoline. It’s marginally better than competitors such as the Lexus NX at 9.8; the Lincoln Corsair at 9.9; and the Genesis GV70 at 10.6.

Value: 8/10

At starting prices ranging from $48,599 to $56,699, the Envision also slips below those three, where the NX starts at $57,285; the Corsair at $52,785; and the GV70 at $60,000 (all prices including delivery). But it’s also tough to make a head-to-head comparison, because Buick sits in a niche that’s above mainstream but not quite a luxury brand.

The Verdict

That in-between position does give buyers some cross-shopping advantage, though, as they can determine if the features and performance are worth the difference over mainstream; or if it’s high-end enough without moving up to a more-prestigious but pricier nameplate. For many, it may be the one that’s just right.