Review: 2022 Buick Envision Avenir

My press loan for the week was the 2022 front wheel drive (FWD) Buick Envision Avenir. The name Avenir means future in French which really fits this vehicle because I really like the future for this second generation luxury compact SUV. The first generation Envision was introduced to the North America buyer at the North American International Auto Show on January 2016; and with the compact SUV becoming the hottest vehicle in North America, the Envision Avenir is poised to ride the sales wave that started in 2021.

So here we are in 2022, and the compact SUV segment is the hottest ticket in town; so many automakers are trying to meet this new consumer desire by designing or rebuilding compact SUVs to attract these buyers. Buick is no different. They are only tweaking their successful Envision compact SUV by adding a premium version which is the Avenir. The Buick commercial emphatically states this is not your father's Buick, and that statement has never been truer. The 2022 Avenir is marketed as the highest expression of Buick luxury that is thoughtfully designed for maximum hospitality. I believe they nailed it with one exception, and it would be the word sport. The coupe-styled profile, a signature grille designed for the Avenir, and 20-inch pearl nickel finish aluminum wheels should qualify this for a sport luxury title. Toss in a gustsy and fun 2.0L ECOTEC engine producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft torque mated to a 9-speed precision shift transmission, and you have yourself a luxury sport compact that buyers would enjoy starting at $39,850.

Continuing with the concept of sport luxury, once you climb into the driver's cockpit, you immediately notice the driver-focused cockpit design. There is a 10.2-inch diagonal Buick infotainment system with a color touch-screen that's angled toward the driver. You will then notice the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel that is heated in the winter months. One of the more subtle but nice touches is the diamond-perforated quilting on the 8-way leather-appointed front seats. The driver's seat also comes with a back massager for those long commutes after a tough day at work. To top off the luxury theme, the Avenir features exclusive textured wood-tone accents in the door panels. Buick refers to all the whole vehicle package poshness (if that is a word) luxury in motion; so if you are in the market for a luxury in motion compact SUV that is secretly a sport-luxury SUV, go test drive a Buick Envision and take your dad with you.

At Buick, the quality of our materials, world class manufacturing, and customer-centric design are at the forefront of everything we do.

Duncan Aldred, Global Vice President, Buick and GMC

In the News

Source: Buick | New changes premiere with the new 2022 Buick Envision. Preferred, Essence, and Avenir models are now available with AWD. Sport Touring Edition is available on Preferred and Essence. LED headlamps and LED taillamps are standard. Hands-free programmable liftgate is standard on Essence and Avenir and available on Preferred. Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are standard on Essence and Avenir and available on Preferred. Buick infotainment system with 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen is standard on Preferred. A 10.2-inch-diagonal system is standard on Essence and Avenir. Navigation is standard on Avenir and available on Essence. Built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot with available 4G LTE data (3GB or 1-month data trial, whichever occurs first) as well as available built-in Amazon Alexa capability is now offered. HD Rear Vision Camera is standard. HD Surround Vision is standard on Avenir and available on Essence. Standard Buick Driver Confidence includes: Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams. Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Enhanced Emergency Braking are also available.

Specifications

Engine: 228 horsepower 2.0L Turbo ECOTEC 4 Cylinder
Torque: 258 pound-feet
Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
Wheels: 20" Aluminum, Avenir Pearl Nickel Finish
Sound: Bose 9-speaker premium system
Color: Summit White
Fuel: 24/31/26 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP (starts): $39,850

MSRP (shown): $45,010

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
Buick

About Buick

Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instagram, or at www.facebook.com/buick