2023 Buick Envision Avenir SUV

The Buick Envision is considered the middle child of the brand and is slipt into three variants. The Envision Avenir sits on top of the model tree and is purely for the luxury audience looking for a compact vehicle. The only aspect that the Avenir shares with its cheaper models are the powertrain while most of the remaining features are unique to this particular version. Some of its key highlight features are the HD surround vision that helps the driver have a 360-degree view of the surrounding to help maneuver around cramped spaces. The Avenir also gets a standard head-up display which projects drive infographics onto the windshield and a massive panoramic moonroof that really elevated the already plush interior. Though the Enclave Avenir comes standard with ventilated front seats, Buick notifies the buyers that it may not be available on some models due to the shortage of necessary supplies.

Technology Package II

• Adaptive cruise control
• Enhanced automatic emergency braking
• Enhanced automatic parking assist
• Led headlamps with enhanced functionality
• Includes welcome light sequence
• Continuous damping control
• Rear camera mirror with washer

Buick Driver Confidence

• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Intellibeam auto high-beam assist
• Following Distance Indicator

Envision Driver Confidence

• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert

We Recommend

Although this is a specific trim, we would recommend picking the AWD variant of the Envision Anenir as it offers a better drive quality. We also wouldn't go for any additional package but we did expect the adaptive cruise control to come standard on a car that costs close to $50k.

Release Date

Since there are no changes to the 2023 iteration of the Envision Avenir, Buick listed the car for sale in the Q3 of 2022.

Luxury vehicles aren’t generally associated with high fuel efficiency but the same cannot be said for compact vehicles with a rather milder engine, especially in the case of the Envision Avenir. The EPA rating stands at 23 mpg within the city but take the SUV on the highway and you'll see a bump up in the number, providing a rather impressive 31 mpg. This means that the buyers can expect an average or combined output of 26 mpg, making the Avenir a practical choice for the ones expecting fuel economy out of a premium vehicle. The 15.9-gallon fuel tank however isn’t the biggest in its class, leaving some room for the rivals to catch up in terms of the overall range.

Though the city ratings are shared with BMW, the Envision Avenir has the upper hand in terms of both highway and combined figures. However, the massive gas tank on the BMW helps it cover more distance than the Buick, putting the Beemer on top in terms of the overall range. Another vehicle to carry a larger tank is the Lincoln Corsair but the poor EPA ratings lead to the overall range that is still lesser than what the Envision offers. This puts the Buick in seconds place right below the BMW. The Lexus holds the least amount of fuel and with a similar EPA to the Lincoln, the vehicle falls to the last spot in terms of its range.

The Interior is the major differentiating factor in the Avenir from the regular Envision as things feel uber luxurious in comparison. The contemporary and well-organized interior features dashboard and upper door panels that have cushioned and soft plastic surfaces, although the harder plastics predominate in the more difficult-to-reach places. Overall, the material quality feels better than that of regular compact SUVs. Leather upholstery, front seats that are heated and ventilated, back seats that are heated, a heated steering wheel, and a driver's seat with massage functions are some of the features that the Avenir offers, which are otherwise optional on the lower trims. Buick also provides a choice of either Ebony or Whisper White for the interior theme. The standard bucket front seats with “Avenir” stitched on the headrests provide great support but the firm cushion can make it slightly uncomfortable when driving for an extended period. Although the seatbacks are upright, the rear seats feature a surprising amount of legroom and enough capacity for two people or three children to fit comfortably. Although there is a lot of wind noise when traveling at highway speeds, the cabin is generally quiet when driving through towns.

All the SUVs here follow a very similar structure and making a compact vehicle feel spacious is all about the balance between how the spaces are divided. In that sense, the Buick feels to be the better choice if you are looking for a passenger hauler. The rear legroom on the Avenir is far superior to what its rivals offer but this extended space takes a toll on its cargo capacity. Though the Buick does not fall on the bottom of the table in terms of its cargo space, it's one of the smallest in class and does and stays below the average space expected out of such an SUV. If hauling luggage is what you would do frequently, the BMW is a great option to consider as its tops the cargo section.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Buick Envision Avenir include

• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Font seats massage function
• Leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Driver seat memory function

How intuitive is the 2023 Buick Envision Avenir infotainment system?

The entire control panel is slightly tilted towards the driver, making them easily accessible and the interface is very user-friendly that it barely takes any time to get used to the layout. The Envision Avenir features and 10.2-inch high-resolution touchscreen for all its media functions and comes with Apple CarPay as well as Android Auto, both having wireless compatibility. Other connectivity options feature multiple USB ports along with traditional Bluetooth connectivity. The audio flows through a 9-speaker module by Bose and the sounds feel well-balanced and professional. The Avenir also features a 3-month platinum subscription to SiriusXM with exclusive shows and podcasts. Although the vehicle features more traditional analog gauges instead of a digital display, it comes with a head-up display that gives speed and fuel readings to the driver without them having to take their eyes off the road.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Buick Envision Avenir are

• 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 9-speaker Bose audio system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• USB ports
• Sirius XM with 3 months of Platinum subscription
• Head-up display

The styling on the Buick Envision Avenir is very subtle and neutral, making it accepted by many. Some might even mistake it to be a European brand and gives away no hints of being manufactured in China. Nothing particularly catches the eye, there is no flashy grille that dominates the front fascia, and there are no corners that will gouge your eye out if you approach too closely. From the understated grille, the LED headlights spread out and swept back over the front fenders in a body line that fades and then returns toward the tail. Without any further adornment over the C-pillars, the chrome that encircles the greenhouse elegantly resolves itself at the back. The major exterior feature that comes exclusive to the Avenir is the 20-inch wheels that look inspired from elsewhere, a different grille design, and additional chrome trimmings.

Right from first glance, it is evident that the Buick sits the lowest to the ground, making it the least favorable choice for those who ride over rough roads. However, this lower ground clearance helps keep the body roll very minimal and helps make it a better riding vehicle. BMW carries the largest ground clearance and is also the tallest SUV, giving it a much better road presence compared to the Buick. Except for the space between the tarmac and the belly of the vehicle, both Buick and Lincoln share very similar dimensions and could even confuse some if spotted from afar.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• 20” alloy wheels
• Silver roof rail
• Panoramic sunroof
• Chrome exterior trimmings
• LED headlamps and taillamps
• Heated exterior mirrors with memory function.

The Buick Envision received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, passing all tests with the exception of rollover tests, which received a four-star rating. While IIHS is yet to test the vehicle, we believe it would put out similar results as NHTSA scores. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors which help warn of objects beyond the substantial rear roof pillars are all examples of standard safety technology. Adaptive cruise control and improved emergency braking require users to opt for additional packages.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Buick Envision Avenir are

• Adaptive cruise control
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane departure mitigation
• Lane change alert with side blind zone alert
• Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert

2023 Buick Envision Avenir vs 2023 Lexus NX 350 Luxury

Both these SUVs have done a great job in terms of making the build quality and cabin feel similar to what European vehicles offer. The Lexus feels slightly punchier than the Buick in terms of drive and also wears a more interesting design in comparison. However, the majority of buyers in the premium segment look for a much more polished and smooth-riding SUV, for which we would highly recommend picking the Buick Envision Avenir. The Lexus can also feel cramped in the rear row, which isn’t the case in the Buick.

2023 Buick Envision Avenir vs 2023 Lincoln Corsair Reserve

The Lincoln Corsair Reserve is probably the closest resembling vehicle to the Buick Envision Avenir and both these vehicles are in their top-tier luxury trims. Despite the Buick offering a very similar feature list to the Lincoln, it's priced higher. The Lincoln also has an equally plush interior but fails to provide as much legroom in the rear. However, the Corsair offers a larger trunk space and comes with a slightly better drive character. The pick between the two comes down to whether you are looking to save a couple of $1,000 or you need that extra rear row space for passengers as the rest of the car is pretty much very similar.

2023 Buick Envision Avenir vs 2023 BMW X3

Undoubtedly the toughest rival to face and it is clearly tough to pull a victory against the BMW X3. The only similarity between both these vehicles is their prices but they carry a completely different character. While the BMW feels very exciting to drive and offers great driver feedback with precise control, the Buick might feel bland in comparison. However, the body rolls on the Buick are much more controlled and poised, keeping the passengers comfortable at all times. While the Buick offers the best rear-row space, the BMW takes a lead in terms of the cargo capacity it offers. However, since both these vehicles are sold for almost the same figure, it isn't hard to make a choice and the BMW sure is the one we’d lean towards.

We'd agree that the Buick Envision Avenir is a good car. However, with a few minor adjustments, it could be fantastic. Customers desire a car that is capable of doing practically everything well, which makes the tiny segment in which it competes incredibly competitive. Additionally, it doesn't help that the majority of high-end buyers in the USA choose slightly larger models that better flaunt their bills. For individuals who might otherwise never have the chance, it provides a gateway into the world of luxury. But when you take into account that it is attempting to divert buyers from well-known luxury brands, it confronts a serious problem with brand value. However, if you decide to keep the image aside, the Buick Envision Avenir is a well-built and comfortable compact SUV that definitely gets our praise.