Buick only offers mainly utility vehicles now. For many, it might seem like a dying brand, but with the recent redesigns, upgraded tech, and ample safety features, Buick is not giving up. Envision is a prime example of that. With last year’s redesign, Envision is redefining the brand. The 2022 Buick Envisionis expected to have three trim levels, the same as last year, which include: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir.
The base price of 2022 Buick is expected to be $32,000, which is quite competitive in the small luxury SUV segment. The 2.0L turbocharged engine which puts out 230 hp can be found in every trim. The FWD is standard, but AWD can be selected as well. The 2022 Buick is smashing against Hulks like BMW X3, Acura RDX, and Lincoln Corsair.
2022 Buick Envision SUV Front Angle View
2022 Buick Envision SUV Rear Angle View
Features
The 2022 Buick Envision lineup is the same as last year. The Preferred trim is the base trim that has the starting price of $31,800, while the topmost trim is Avenir, which costs around $40,400. All the trims have the option to go for the AWD. The base trim has all the necessary features and creature comforts, middle-range Essence trim makes things more interesting with the Technology package, while the Avenir is brimmed with all the necessary safety features and tech.
There are multiple interior options on the Envision lineup, while the exterior look does not change significantly. The standard features which are available in 2022 include 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights, cloth and leatherette seats, manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel, SiriusXM, air conditioning, 12-volt power outlet, Forward Collision Alert, Hill Descent Control, and Rear Park Assist.
Trims
2022 Buick Envision Preferred*
2022 Buick Envision Essence
2022 Buick Envision Avenir
MSRP(FWD)
$32,000*
$36,200
$ 40,600
MSRP(AWD)
$33,800*
$38,000
$42,400
Key Features
18-inch aluminum wheels
Adds or upgrades to ‘Preferred’
Adds or upgrades to ‘Essence’
LED headlamps and
Hands-free power liftgate
20-inch aluminum wheels with Pearl Nickel finish
LED taillamps
20-inch aluminum wheels with Dark Finish
Panoramic moonroof
Keyless start
Leather-covered heated steering wheel
Adaptive cruise control
Heated front seats
Front park assist
Enhanced automatic emergency braking
Active Noise Cancellation
HD surround-view camera
10.25-inch touchscreen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Alexa
Navigation
8-inch touchscreen
8-inch driver information display
HD backup camera
Rear-cross traffic alert
Teen Driver
*2021 model year data taken for reference **expected price
There are various packages available on the Envision lineup. The Technology package is given on the Essence trim, which adds a 10.2-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bose 9-speaker audio system, universal home remote, and more. The Technology Package II is given on both Avenir and Essence trim that includes the previous package’s content along with Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking plus park assist, LED headlamps with enhanced functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Comfort and Convenience Package is only given on the base trim that adds a remote start, a heated steering wheel, and a 7-speaker sound system.
We Recommend
We would suggest you go for the Essence trim. Being the mid-range trim, not only does it enjoy ample features and options, but you also have packages like ‘ Sports Touring Package’ which will give you 20-inch wheels with a dark finish, a dark Gloss finish grille, and a Rear cargo compartment cover.
Release Date
The 2022 Envision is expected to hit the showrooms at the end of this year. There won’t be any delay provided that the pandemic situation remains calm as it is now.
Engine and Performance
7.0/10
All trims of the 2022 Envision have the 2.0 Liter turbocharged engine which is married to a 9-speed transmission. It churns out 230 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Power gets transferred to the front wheels as standard. However, you can get AWD as optional as well. Unlike rivals, there are no other engine options available on 2022 Envision. The 2022 Envision will take about 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph from the standstill.
2022 Buick Envision SUV Engine Bay
The overall ride of Envision is enthusiastic and lacks the necessary power punch which you can see in the opponents. It is not as quirky as you would expect, and acceleration is sluggish as compared to rivals. However, the 2022 Envision does give a stable ride, brakes are responsive, and the cabin is quiet, resulting in an overall decent experience.
Models*
2022 Buick Envision Preferred
2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i
2022 Acura RDX Base SH-AWD
2021 Lincoln Corsair Base
MSRP
$33,800*
$45,000
$40,200
$38,145
Engine
2.0 Liter turbo inline-4
2.0 Liter turbo inline-4
2.0 Liter turbo inline-4
2.0 Liter turbo inline-4
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
AWD
AWD
Transmission
9-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
10-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Power (hp @ rpm)
230 hp @ 5000 rpm
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
272 hp @ 6500 rpm
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm
258 ft-lbs. @ 1450 rpm
280 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm
280 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm
0-60 mph (sec)
7.7
6.2
6.6
6.7
Quarter Mile (sec)
15.7
14.9
15.2
NA
Top Speed (mph)
130
126
113
130
*2021 model year data taken for reference
All rivals of the Buick have better power figures despite having the same engine configuration. The RDX has the highest engine output as it churns out 272 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque but completes the 0-60 mph in 0.4 seconds later than the BMW, which is the fastest SUV in the competition. Lastly, Lincoln churns out 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque and sprints from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
The fuel economy of Envision is second highest in the competition. The 2.0 Liter naturally aspirated engine of Envision returns a fuel economy of 22/29/25 mpg in city/highway/combined. Envision has the smallest fuel tank in the competition, which results in the low range of 354 miles in the city, 467 miles on the highway, and 402 miles combined. However, when you select FWD, you get a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city, 31 on the highways, and 26 mpg combined.
Models
2022 Buick Envision Preferred*
2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i
2022 Acura RDX Base SH-AWD
2021 Lincoln Corsair Base
MPG (City)
22
23
21
21
MPG (Highway)
29
29
27
29
MPG (Combined)
25
25
23
24
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)
16.1
17.2
17.1
16.2
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)
354/467/402
396/499/430
359/462/393
340/470/389
*2021 model year data taken for reference
The most fuel-efficient SUV in the segment is the BMW X3 that shares the same fuel economy figures as the Envision but has led by one mpg in the city. It also has the biggest fuel tank which allows more mileage than any other competitor. Acura RDX has the most thirsty engine of all. Lastly, the Lincoln Corsair is more fuel-efficient than the RDX, but it has a similar combined range as the RDX.
Interior
7.5/10
No major changes in the interior are observed as Envision had a redesign last year only. There is soft-touch material on the inside door panels, and you can also find a glossy trim on it which adds a bit of spice. The dash looks sleek, has soft-touch material, AC vents over it are triangular, but the overall design fails to impress as there is no stitching over it, making it look bland. The seats come covered in standard cloth plus leatherette upholstery, but you can get leather-appointed seats on the top Avenir trim.
2022 Buick Envision SUV Dashboard
The front seats have power adjustment and power lumbar support. There is a good amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. The rear seat can fold down in a 60/40 pattern which can increase the cargo capacity from 25.2 cu-ft to 52.7 cu-ft. The standard features on the base trim consist of manual air conditioning, a 12-volt auxiliary cargo area power outlet, rear window defogger, keyless entry and start, ambient lighting, 4.2-inch driver information display, floor mats, manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Models
2022 Buick Envision Preferred*
2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i
2022 Acura RDX Base SH-AWD
2021 Lincoln Corsair Base
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)
39.6/56.7/40.4
41.1/57.6/40.3
40.0/60.0/42.0
39.5/57.1/43.2
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)
38.9/55.9/39.3
38.5/56.0/36.4
38.0/57.0/38.0
38.7/56.3/38.6
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)
25.2
28.7
31.1
27.6
Buick, as compared to the rivals, has the smallest cabin, but it has the biggest legroom of all. The RDX has the most spacious cabin as it gives 104 cu-ft of passenger volume, which is 3.6 cu-ft, 2.6 cu-ft, and 1.5 cu-ft more than what is offered on the Envision, X3, and Corsair, respectively. The biggest cargo space is given on the RDX, while the smallest trunk is possessed by the Envision. The BMW X3 has the least legroom space in the rear seat and the second-biggest trunk. The highlights of the interior features are:
Cloth and leatherette seats
Heated front seats (optional)
Remote start (optional)
Active Noise Cancellation
Manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel
Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
4.2-inch driver information display
Keyless entry and ignition
Power remote windows
Wireless charging (optional)
Cargo cover
How intuitive is the car’s infotainment unit?
The 2022 Envision’s infotainment unit has a standard 8-inch touchscreen. The overall system is intuitive, graphics are clear, the menu is easy to navigate, and the screen is responsive. On the base trim, you get standard features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, Wifi-hotspot, and a 6-speaker sound system.
2022 Buick Envision SUV With 8-Inch Infotainment Touchscreen
With the Comfort and Convenience package, you can get a 7-speaker sound system and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. On higher trims, you can get features like a navigation system, HD radio, Bose premium 9-speaker audio system with amplifier, and head-up display. You also get optional features like built-in Amazon Alexa, Reese’s Book Club in-vehicle app, and my Buick mobile app. The highlights of the infotainment unit are:
The exterior look of the 2022 Envision looks like a clean sheet of paper with its summit white exterior paint. The overall design language is aggressive, but the front grille is not as large as you would expect. On the front side, you have LED headlights and DRLs. The front air vents are not functional. On the hood, you have three equally distant body lines which merge in the A-pillar. Looking from the side, a body line starts in the middle of nowhere and stretches till the backside, and the fenders have a black gloss finish instead of a flat black treatment.
2022 Buick Envision SUV Side View
On the backside, you have a Hands-Free power programmable liftgate with LED logo projection, LED taillights, and rear intermittent wiper. The power-heated side mirrors have a memory function. A panoramic power moonroof is not available on the base trim, but it is optional on the higher trims. The Envision runs on the standard 18-inch silver-finished aluminum wheels, but you can get the 20-inch aluminum wheels with a Dark finish as well. If you move up in the trim ladder, 20-inch aluminum wheels with Avenir pearl nickel finish and 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with a charcoal metallic finish are also offered.
Models
2022 Buick Envision Preferred*
2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i
2022 Acura RDX Base SH-AWD
2021 Lincoln Corsair Base
Curb Weight (lbs)
3864
4147
4019
3851
Length (inches)
182.5
185.9
186.7
180.6
Width (inches)
74.1
74.4
74.8
76.2
Height (inches)
64.6
66.0
65.7
64.1
Ground Clearance (inches)
NA
8.0
NA
NA
Wheelbase (inches)
109.4
112.8
108.3
106.7
The Lincoln Corsair comes out as the shortest SUV in the competition, but it is the widest and lightest one among the bunch. The heavyweight X3 has the largest wheelbase, which will provide better ride quality than other rivals. The longest SUV is the RDX which has the shortest wheelbase which will give it slightly better parking ability and lower turning radius. The Envision falls short on width when compared with rivals, but it has a modest wheelbase of 109.4 inches. The highlights of the exterior features are:
The safety ratings for the 2022 Buick Envision are not available, but since there are no major changes in the 2022 model since last year, we can take previous ratings as reference. In NHTSA tests, the 2021 Envision received a perfect overall 5-star safety rating, while in all the crash tests performed by the IIHS, the 2021 Envision was awarded the ‘Good’ ratings. Apart from the impressive safety ratings, the 2022 Envision is packed with ample safety features.
Some standard features include cruise control, safety alert seats, teen drive function, rear-cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, front pedestrian braking, and lane departure warning. You can also have features like front park assist, enhanced automatic parking Assist, HD Surround View camera, and adaptive cruise control. The highlights of the safety are:
Cruise control
HD backup camera
Following Distance Indicator
Lane departure warning
Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking (optional)
Front park assist (optional)
Competition
8.0/10
2022 Buick Envision Vs BMW X3
The BMW X3 beats Envision by a slight margin in every criterion you define. Be it performance, luxury, cargo space, or exterior design, the X3’s elegance is unmatched.
BMW X3
However, when it comes to price, the 2022 X3 costs $10,000 more than Envision which makes Envision a more feasible option.
2022 Buick Envision Vs Acura RDX
The 2022 Acura RDX is faster than Envision and has better interior space. However, when we compare the fuel efficiency, despite having the same engine configuration, the Envision proves itself to be less thirsty as compared to the RDX.
Acura RDX
However, RDX has a high level of safety than Envision as it has not only received class-leading safety ratings, it also has earned the ‘top safety pick+’ title from IIHS.
2022 Buick Envision Vs Lincoln Corsair
The Lincoln Corsair is the closest rival of Envision in terms of pricing, but it is still heavier on your pockets than Envision. That said, the Corsair has the edge when it comes to cargo, power figures, and safety ratings.
Lincoln Corsair
On the other hand, the 2022 Envision tried to fight back with a better fuel economy. However, the scale still tilts towards the corsair.
Final Verdict
It is no doubt that the 2022 Buick Envision will be a good overall package. However, rivals have performed better in every area where Envision was challenged. Therefore, we would recommend you go with the Essence trim if you want to not only enjoy the recent redesign but also want to save a few thousand bucks. That said, if you don’t want to go with Envision, Acura seems like a perfect match for you.