Used 2020 Buick Envision for sale 

The SUV from Buick is offered in five trims which are again customizable down to the engine. The base trim starts at $33190 and goes the way all up to $44795, the top trim which is available in just a turbocharged All-Wheel-Drive variant.

The first three trims are available in a 2.5L naturally aspirated inline-four engine with the option of an All-Wheel-Drive version with a turbocharged pot for the Preferred and Essence trims. The Premium and Premium II trims come in just the 2.0L turbocharged engine and All-Wheel-Drive.

Buick has clustered most of the luxurious features in its top of the line models which puts a person in a dilemma who is on a tight budget.

The top trims are loaded with extravagant features but the lower trims are also plentiful in their offerings. The base variant has options of heated rear seats, lane-keeping assist, leather upholstery and much more. The below table will give a detailed description of the trims and various features on offer. The top trims get wireless charging as well which is a bonus.

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We would happily want you to go for the All-Wheel-Drive variant of Essence Trim which comes at the dead center of the trim band. It incorporated the best of both sides, with an All-Wheel -Drive setup and an extremely punchy turbocharged engine that is folds better than the lethargic naturally aspirated engine. It gets all the standard safety features with additional creature comforts like heated steering wheel and seats along with a tri-zone automatic climate control to name a few. At a premium of $5555 over the base trim, it is worth every extra penny you pay and more. 

There are two distinct sides to this “card” which gives the Envision a split personality. We have a puny 2.5L naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder coupled to a potent 6-speed automatic transmission that handles the power with ease. On the flip side, we have an energetic 2.0L turbocharged engine that produces 252 horses and 295 twisties which is a slab above. The power is transferred to the wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission here.

The naturally aspirated one is at most capable of city rides but if you are in for a spirited ride, then the turbocharged one is the jackpot. Front-wheel drive setup is for the naturally aspirated one whereas an All Wheel Drive transmission is slapped on to the turbocharged engine to handle the extra power.

Toyota RAV4 takes the podium in sheer performance as it managed to outclass the Buick with an extra six horses. It also gets an All-Wheel-Drive set up at a lesser price which is a steal. Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Cherokee tie in with similar power and torque figures with the difference of drivetrains.

How quick is it off the line?

Acceleration is linear but very laggy on the naturally aspirated variant. This one is not for the thrill-seeking ones but the turbocharged variant manages to cross 60 MPH in an impressive 6.6 seconds. This performance is courtesy of the All-Wheel-Drive setup coupled with the much more versatile 9-speed automatic transmission which helps get the adrenaline pumping.

The front-wheel-drive set up on the lower variants and the 6-speed gearbox doesn’t help its mediocre performance.

The geometry of the SUVs makes it pretty evident that the Buick would fail to impress. Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, promises us a 0-60 MPH time of 8 seconds which is impressive and achievable because of the All-Wheel Drive setup that helps propel the vehicle much quicker. Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Cherokee are deemed to come after it with diminished numbers because of its performance. 

How well does it handling?

Buick has crafted the Envision with comfort in mind. The suspension has been fined tuned for this and so is on the softer side. This makes it sway even on the slightest bumps on the road. This also diminishes its cornering capacity as it won’t instill confidence for speed at corners.

It won’t get the attention of the enthusiasts who are in the market for a spirited and fun to drive car. The steering is precise and turns at the slightest input making it a breeze to drive in cities and tight spots. The all-wheel-drive variants have a rear locking differential which helps in attacking corners with more speed and confidence. 
Braking

Buick Envision is equipped with a very responsive all-wheel drive disc brake setup which is electronically controlled. There is a situation of nose dive here during hard braking as the suspension is soft. But these get the job done efficiently and the brake pedal is ergonomic for frequent usage.

The stopping distance of 127 feet is decent as the Buick weighs in at 3755 pounds which is maximum of the lot.

Jeep Cherokee has the largest brakes of the lot due to the Buick Envision comes up behind it. Tucson and RAV4 have similarly sized brakes. We are skeptical about the distance needed by the competitions to come to halt as most of them are yet to be put to the test. We believe that Buick with its bitey brake pads would farewell.

The fuel consumption is average in the Envision. It is rated by EPA to give above-average numbers. But the more powerful All-Wheel-Drive variant drops the numbers to 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on highways. It is not half bad given the added benefits it gets in terms of driving dynamics and performance.

Toyota RAV4 tops the list as the engine is tuned for efficiency with equal importance given to power. The rest have a biased nature which lets down on its balanced character. The Hyundai Tucson ends the list with the least numbers and it can be pointed out to its mediocre engine which is powering all four wheels. This increases the engine load as well. Buick Envision and Jeep Cherokee give the same combined numbers but differ drastically in city and highways.

The interior is where crossovers have an edge over sedans. Buick follows the same concept with the seating comfortable for four adults. Yes, the interior fit and finish would not be at par with its European counterparts but manages to be satisfactory. The ride is quite comfortable and well-bolstered seats to hold you in place with ease.

The dashboard is clean with not too much bling and buttons are well placed with tactile feedback. The downside is that you would have to reach the top trim to enjoy luxuries like leather upholstery and heated seats. The interior cubby storage is uninspiring as well. 

The Envision is crammed for an SUV as most of its competitors manage to fare much better. Hyundai Tucson is the most balanced car off the lot with about equal importance given to both rows. Toyota RAV4 manages to extract the most out of the lot in the rear seating space. 

What are the infotainment perks?

The Envision comes equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system that is impressively intuitive and easy to use. It has added the advantage of smartphone support in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which has now become a necessity. Those keen on music can opt for an upgraded Bose Audio System with built-in navigation for an enhanced experience.

Infotainment Features

• Bose Premium Audio System
• 8-inch infotainment system touch interface
• 6-Speaker Audio System
• 4G LTE WiFi hotspot 

How much cargo does it take in?

The cargo space is not class-leading but is respectable for a car of this size. It has a flat floor which makes storage easy. The high liftgate might be a hindrance to store heavy objects. There are nets for the storage of small objects as well. 

The rear seats can be folded down flat for extra added space which gives it the flexibility to use it when needed. The automatic liftgate is an added boon which helps you in case of a handful situation. 

Toyota RAV4 has surprised us as to how it managed to chuck out a humongous 37.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. Jeep comes at last with the least cargo space and the Tucson has the space for a small weekend trip.

Interior Features

• 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center
• 60/40 Split-folding sliding and reclining rear seat
• 8-way power driver and front passenger seats
• Heated driver and front passenger seats
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Rear Console Air vents
• Ambient interior lighting
• Charging only USB ports
• Cruise Control
• Carpeted Front and rear floor mats
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Heated rear outboard seats

Buick has swayed from the traditional design philosophy of SUVs and has approached it with a tinge of European flair. The body lines are curvy and have a sleek front grille which is unlike any other American SUVs.

 Then 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels give it a distinctive look which sets it apart from the mainstream small luxury crossovers. The projector headlamps with daytime running lamps and LED taillamps give it a different vibe that makes it instantly recognizable on roads. Bits of chrome adds to the overall look of the car.

The Envision has the largest dimensions of the lot and is visibly evident. The muscular shoulder lines adds to the overall width of the SUV. Jeep comes next which goes well with the overall proportions. We have a soft spot for the Toyota RAV4 which combines form and function in a funky manner. The most well-contained SUV in dimensions would be the Jeep Cherokee as it wraps the body well around the hefty wheelbase.

Exterior Features

• 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Fog lamps
• Bi-LED Headlamps
• Heated power outside mirrors
• Led tail lights
• Chrome highlights between taillights
• Hands-Free Power Liftgate
• Automatic delay headlamps
• Privacy glass
• 17-inch Blackwall tires

Safety has not been taken for granted in the Envision but Buick has put a price on it. There is a list of standard safety features but most of the active safety ones are optional. Nevertheless, it has a 5-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

The safety features included in the luxury SUV offering from Buick are listed below.

Safety Features

• 10 airbags
• Following Distance Indicator
• Forward Collision Alert
• LED Daytime Running Lamps
• Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• OnStar and Buick Connected Services 
• Rear View Camera
• StabiliTrak-Electronic Stability control system with traction control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson is a spacious car that is high on features and also offers a better interior quality than the Envision. It is priced lower than the Buick and has a more vibrant engine. It provides more cargo space while weighing less, which adds to the driving dynamics of the car. Personally, it looks much more modern and well laid out than the Envision and so our choice of the two.

Toyota RAV4

Toyotas are known for their robust and reliable builds and the RAV4 has nailed it. This was the car that made people rethink their view of SUVs and thus started the now widespread crossover craze. It provides a better driving experience and the all-wheel-drive setup helps to make the car more desirable. All of this is presented to us in an attractive looking package which costs less than the Buick. We feel that the RAV4 has earned its due respect is our car of choice.

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee is an overrated car but has managed to win over the market with its go-anywhere attitude and robust build. It provides less power than the Envision and is not as spacious on the inside. It gives similar efficiency numbers which put the Buick in an advantage. The shape forces Jeep to have the least cargo space of the lot which is a bummer. So if we look at the overall picture, Buick Envision is a much better pick of the two. 

Buick Envision offers a balanced character that would suit people moving on from a lower segment. It has a blend of power, features, and comfort in a crossover platform which gives a better proposition than a luxury sedan. It is perfectly comfortable for four adults which can take you places, thanks to the ground clearance.

But when you take into account the other players in this category, we believe that the Buick kind of blunts down on the value for what you pay. Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson provide much better value. The Toyota RAV4 is a prime example which adds reliability and build quality to the already available features of the Buick. So, the Toyota fares well and stands a better chance of fulfilling your needs with less complexity. The Tuscan does all this with a larger cargo space and more money to spare. This makes both of the cars a better take than the Buick Envision and we would stick to the funky Toyota for their gift of utterly reliable cars.