Used 2023 Buick Envision

The 2023 Buick Envision is a compact SUV in a little niche of its own. It’s not quite as luxurious as the usual high-class marques such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. But it’s noticeably nicer than, say, a Chevrolet or Ford.

The pricing likewise follows a line between the two classes. So potential buyers are perhaps just dipping their metaphorical toes into the posher pools of luxury vehicle ownership. This is a good idea up to a point.

Where the logic becomes shaky is at the upper price levels. A top Avenir version of a new Envision SUV is in the high $40,000 range, where a lot of interesting alternatives become available — alternatives with more prestige than a Buick can muster.

Stay with the lower trims, though, and a 2023 Envision somewhat-premium compact SUV might provide the right kind of driving and ownership experience for the right kind of money.

The Buick approach puts comfort above sportiness. That’s certainly true of the 2023 Envision SUV. And especially so of the top Avenir trim with its standard adaptive suspension.

The 228-horsepower engine works well enough for everyday duties and leisurely road trips. Fuel economy is pretty good, and the 9-speed automatic transmission shifts gears with subtlety and refinement.

All-wheel drive is available, but it doesn’t turn the Envision into an off-roader. Instead, it creates more confidence in bad weather.

Anyone wanting adaptive cruise control is obliged to splash out for the Avenir model, which also comes with enhanced automatic parking assistance. Happily, the most important driver aids are standard across the range.

Classy restraint is the defining characteristic of the 2023 Envision’s cabin, while angling the infotainment screen slightly toward the driver. It’s also extremely quiet, thanks to Buick’s Quiet Tuning treatment and active noise cancellation as standard.

Rear legroom of 39.3 inches is good for this class. But cargo space is not so accommodating. With both 60/40 split rear seats in place, there’s 25.2 cubic feet for luggage. Folding those seats down creates 52.7 cubic feet. Compare those figures with the Acura RDX’s 29.5/58.8 cubic feet.

Single-zone manual air conditioning in the base trim is a bit below par for something that’s supposed to be better than mainstream. Making a cargo cover optional in the two lower trims is another disappointingly stingy move. There is a 12-volt outlet in the Envision’s cargo area, however.

Silver roof rails are standard on the 2023 Envision compact SUV, as are 18-inch alloy wheels with a tasteful Light Charcoal Metallic finish.

A Sport Touring cosmetics package is available on the two lower trims, adding 20-inch alloy wheels, grille surround/mesh, window trim, mirror caps, and exhaust bezels with a dark finish, plus sport pedals and black roof rails.

ESSENCE TRIM LEVEL
More a collection of features than just one, but this version with the optional Technology I package is almost as luxurious and well equipped as the top Avenir model, but doesn’t cost as much.

REAR CAMERA MIRROR
Buyers who do splash out on a new Envision in the top Avenir trim get this as standard. Instead of a typical rearview mirror, it shows the feed from a rear-facing camera (with its own washer), so drivers have a clear view without heads, cargo, or rear pillars getting in the way.

Preferred is the first of three 2023 Envision trim levels. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, heated side mirrors (self-dimming on the driver’s side), rear parking sensors, keyless entry/ignition, single-zone air conditioning, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth/simulated leather seating surfaces, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

An 8-inch touchscreen controls an infotainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and six speakers.

Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, following distance indicator, automatic high beams, and lane-keeping assistance are among the advanced safety features.

Essence trim adds dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch driver information display, memory settings for the driver’s seat/side mirror, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, perforated leather seating surfaces, 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, seven speakers, and hands-free tailgate operation. This last item is also standard in Preferred models with all-wheel drive.

The top Avenir trim comes with an adaptive suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic moonroof, navigation, 9-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, automatic parking assistance, rear camera mirror, and a 360-degree camera system.

Most of the extras available in the 2023 Envision apply to the two lower trims. Both the Preferred and Essence models are eligible for larger alloy wheels and a cargo cover.

Preferred trim qualifies for a Comfort and Convenience package bringing heated front seats/steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 7-speaker Bose audio system, and a hands-free power tailgate.

A Technology I package is offered with the Essence trim, adding a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, head-up display, and the 9-speaker Bose audio upgrade.

The few options for the top Avenir trim include heated/ventilated/massaging front seats and heated rear outboard seats.

There’s just one engine in the 2023 Envision SUV lineup, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 9-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard setup, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option at all three trim levels.

It’s OK to put regular gasoline in the Buick Envision.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
228 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 horsepower @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg (FWD), 22/29 mpg (AWD)