2019 Buick Envision Review

Overall Driving comment: The Envision takes a different tack from sportier rivals. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and nine-speed automatic deliver smooth torque rather than sharp speed. And while it's stable enough in turns, the Envision is primarily tuned for comfort rather than handling precision. Its steering is fine around town and on the freeway, but it feels sluggish and inaccurate on twistier roads.

The Envision's performance shortcomings are highlighted by rivals who offer similar levels of comfort and refinement but provide better feel and responses from both the steering and the transmission. This segment is very competitive, and average is often not enough.

A smooth and composed ride quality, nicely padded seats all around, three-zone climate control, and an impressively quiet cabin are the highlights. But if comfort is a top priority, you'll like the way the Envision manages to feel serene over most surfaces and at most speeds. That's an enviable trait to possess, especially if you spend a lot of time on the highway, where the Envision is very nearly best in class.

The cabin is isolated quite nicely from all noise sources. The engine is muted, traffic noise is kept out, tire noise is surprisingly hushed, and even road noise over bumps sounds slightly distant. This isolation does mean that in some situations wind noise is more noticeable, but it's not pronounced.

Other manufacturers are putting maximum effort into creating better SUV interiors, which makes the Envision's cabin fall even further below expectations at this price point. Outward visibility can be limited, too, due to thick roof pillars that create blind spots in both the front and rear.

But get past the lackluster looks and you'll find an interior that's functional and generally easy to live with. The driving position is somewhat odd, and the button placement can seem random. The only other deal-breaker, aside from the somewhat poor visibility, might be the limited headroom for taller shoppers, though space is pretty abundant otherwise.

Overall Utility comment: The Envision has a slightly small but very usable cargo area (26.9 cubic feet), and while the vehicle has a lot of little cubbies, they're all quite shallow and good for very small items. On the car seat front, the easy-access anchors and incredible rear legroom make this an easy SUV to live with.

The Envision's tech features are decent among the mainstream competition. The infotainment system features an easy-to-use navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and enough USB ports for four devices. There's also a good assortment of mobile charge options, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and reliable voice controls. The only shortcomings are the advanced driving aids, which aren't as refined as other systems, and the lack of GM's newest and much improved infotainment system, IntelliLink 3. We expect that technology to make its way into the Envision within the next year or two.

We consider the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter engine the best choice for the 2019 Buick Envision because the base 2.5-liter engine lacks smoothness and struggles to move the Envision with authority. For this reason, we recommend the Premium and Premium II trims, which are the only ones to come with the turbocharged engine and new nine-speed transmission.