2022 Buick Envision
MSRP range: $31,800 - $42,200
Other years
2022 Buick Envision Review
- Quiet interior at highway speeds
- Smooth ride over bumps
- Pleasing number of premium features for the price
- Interior materials fall short of luxury expectations
- Smaller-than-average cargo area
- No major changes for 2022
- Part of the second Envision generation introduced for 2021
Situated between the smaller Encore GX and the larger three-row Enclave, the 2022 Buick Envision is a small luxury SUV that offers a fair number of features at a competitive price. Buick gave the Envision a much-needed redesign for 2021 so this year's model is effectively unchanged.
The small luxury SUV segment is a crowded and competitive one. The Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60 lead the way with their European refinement, while Acura's RDX offers excellent handling and a comfortable interior. If you want to keep costs down, Mazda's near-luxury CX-5 can be loaded up for thousands less than the aforementioned luxury brands. Overall, we think Buick's Envision is a competent SUV but it'll be worth your while to shop around. Read our Expert Rating below for our complete breakdown of its biggest hits and misses.
Our verdict | |
The Buick Envision is an average small SUV in nearly every metric. This new-generation model is certainly an improvement over the prior one, but it doesn't really stand out against the likes of an Acura RDX, BMW X3 or Volvo XC60. | |
How does the Envision drive? | |
Mat the gas and the Envision reaches 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is decently quick for a small SUV. From the driver's seat, it doesn't feel that quick, which could be a bonus for those who prefer quiet confidence over theater. The gas pedal is immediately and pleasingly responsive. The brakes are also better than average. Emergency stopping distances are short, and the vehicle remains composed and controllable. The pedal feel is reassuring. The handling, even with some notable body roll, is decent. The Envision is not an SUV to have fun with, but it feels confident at sensible speeds. | |
How comfortable is the Envision? | |
The front seats have enough adjustments for most drivers to find a preferred seating position. But the bottom seat cushion is a bit short for taller passengers. The padding is on the firm side and can create some hard spots after a few hours. The massage functions are weak compared to premium luxury versions, but they're a welcome relief when you start feeling those hard spots. The ride quality is praiseworthy. It's biased toward softness and smooths over many imperfections that other SUVs ride more harshly on. Helping matters is a very quiet cabin that effectively eliminates most wind and road noise. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The interior design has a clean, understated look. Buick pleasingly canted the center dash section toward the driver to make it easier to reach. The push/pull button gear selector is more intuitive than alternatives from other carmakers, and it doesn't take up too much space on the center console. The interior space is average for the class, which means taller passengers will likely feel cramped on a long trip. Outward visibility is helped by sensibly sized roof pillars and crisp resolution in the available surround-view camera system. Overall, there's not much to complain about, but also there's not much to praise. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, which means you don't need to use a USB cord to integrate your phone with the touchscreen. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay with the wireless connection was very slow to respond in our testing, so we had to resort to using the USB cable instead. The Envision's native voice command system is OK, but it doesn't recognize natural speech commands. The available 10-inch touchscreen looks sharp. But Buick's decision to put the infotainment controller knob right next to the screen is puzzling. You have to reach to the dashboard to use the touchscreen anyway, so why put them together? Locating the controller on the center console where your hand normally rests would have made more sense. The Envision's driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are well tuned and operate smoothly. We never experienced any false alarms. Audio quality from the Bose system degrades at higher volumes, and the bass lacks punch. At moderate volume, the quality is decent but not impressive for an upgraded system. | |
How’s the storage? | |
With 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the Envision cargo area is well below what the typical small SUV offers. Buick hasn't added any clever storage bins or shelves, but there are some hooks that you can use to secure grocery bags. The liftover height is about average, and the available hands-free hatch function works well. Interior storage is adequate, with moderately sized door pockets, cupholders and center armrest bin. The wireless charging pad can help keep your phone in place. Got kids? Installing a large rear-facing infant seat will likely impinge on front seat space, but the LATCH anchors are easy to find and access. | |
How economical is the Envision? | |
The EPA estimates the front-wheel-drive Envision will get 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is pretty decent considering the power the turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes. We observed 28.8 mpg on our 115-mile highway-heavy evaluation route, confirming that these estimates are realistic. | |
Is the Envision a good value? | |
The Envision occupies an odd space: one that's a cut above your standard small SUV in interior materials quality and exterior appearance, but at a hefty premium. You might cross-shop it across both luxury and non-luxury segments, but ultimately it's not as good a value as a mainstream SUV or as luxurious as a top European small SUV. Warranty coverage is typical for the class, but Buick's roadside assistance coverage is an excellent six years/70,000 miles. That's better than much of the competition. The first scheduled maintenance visit is also complimentary, a small but nice perk. | |
Wildcard | |
The Envision proves itself capable in terms of performance and comfort, but it isn't really outstanding in any given area. You can view it as a bargain luxury SUV or a nicer mainstream SUV, but we think it commands a buyer with very specific wants and it's not something that will appeal to the masses. The Envision represents a step in the right direction for Buick. It's attractively designed and has an understated class. It makes a statement without saying much. | |
Which Envision does Edmunds recommend?
The midlevel Essence is a good place to start. To that, we'd add both available Technology packages for their premium features, such as a larger touchscreen with navigation, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and adaptive suspension. To add a sportier look, the Sport Touring package is also available.
Buick Envision models
The 2022 Buick Envision is a five-passenger small luxury SUV available in three trim levels: Preferred, Essence and Avenir. All have a turbocharged 230-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Feature highlights for the Envision include:
Save as much as $536 with Edmunds
2022 Buick Envision pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Preferred
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$32,459
Essence
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$36,739
Avenir
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$41,113
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Envision safety features:
- Safety Alert Seat
- Vibrates the driver's seat on the left or right side to alert the driver of a possible hazard.
- Side Blind Zone and Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
- Alerts the driver if a car is lurking in a blind spot or if one is approaching from the side while backing up.
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Reminds the passengers to check the rear seat for children and valuables before exiting.
Buick Envision vs. the competition
2022 Buick Envision
2021 Acura RDX
Buick Envision vs. Acura RDX
The Acura RDX offers a very appealing mix of comfort, performance and features. It has more power than the Envision and results in quicker acceleration. The RDX is more entertaining to drive around turns too. In the Buick's favor are an easier-to-use infotainment system and higher fuel economy.
Buick Envision vs. Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLC didn't make it to the top spot in our small luxury SUV rankings by accident. From performance to comfort and style, the GLC has a wide array of strengths that make it very appealing as a daily driver. The Envision does hold advantages with a larger cargo capacity as well as a lower price.
Buick Envision vs. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 might not be classified as a luxury SUV but that doesn't mean it offers anything less than a premium look and feel. If you're willing to tolerate a slightly firm ride, the top-of-the-line CX-5 is less expensive than the Envision, is quicker from 0 to 60 mph, has more rear legroom, and offers a larger cargo capacity than the Buick.
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FAQ
Is the Buick Envision a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Envision both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. You probably care about Buick Envision fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Envision gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg to 26 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Envision has 25.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Buick Envision. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Buick Envision?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Buick Envision:
- No major changes for 2022
- Part of the second Envision generation introduced for 2021
Is the Buick Envision reliable?
To determine whether the Buick Envision is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Envision. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Envision's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Buick Envision a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Buick Envision is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 Envision and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Envision is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Buick Envision?
The least-expensive 2022 Buick Envision is the 2022 Buick Envision Preferred 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $31,800.
Other versions include:
- Preferred 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $31,800
- Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $33,600
- Essence 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $36,000
- Essence 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $37,800
- Avenir 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $42,200
- Avenir 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $40,400
What are the different models of Buick Envision?
If you're interested in the Buick Envision, the next question is, which Envision model is right for you? Envision variants include Preferred 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), Essence 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), and Essence 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A). For a full list of Envision models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more