Buick Envision Avenir impresses

Even an auto manufacturer in business for 126 years needs to keep re-inventing itself to stay relevant with today’s technology-heavy cars.

Buick, part of General Motors, has been considered a luxury brand that manages to remain affordable.

The Buick 2025 Envision Avenir test drive was surprising, as I’ve never driven a Buick. Maybe like some of you, I envisioned the Buick to be a stodgy-grandparent type vehicle. Yet, this model ranks highly with other luxury compact SUVs in its class.

Buick developed the Avenir (French for “future”) in 2017. Avenir is a subsection premium luxury trim used on various Buick models.

One feature that impresses is the comfort of the ride. The perforated leather seats are cushy with eight-way power modes. The contrasting color combination of the blue and white interior stands out.

The center console includes numerous spots for important items, such as beverages and phones. It is a standard feature to designate a spot where a cell phone fits neatly. It is like when cupholders first came out. (Remember the excitement of not having to balance the cup on the dash or in between your legs?) Long before cupholders, Mom warned us not to drink glass bottles of pop or our teeth would get knocked out if we were in an accident. So, in a way, these cupholders are a safety feature.

Other safety features include more than a dozen warnings, such as a forward collision alert, emergency braking, rear pedestrian alert and more.

A newer feature is a side bicyclist alert. This detects an object, such as a bike, in the driver’s blind spot. Or, if the car is parked and still running, it alerts the driver if a bike comes up from behind. It’s a great feature for us bicyclists, who must ride like drivers are potentially going to run into us.

All the alerts have beeps, buzzes and seat vibrations when the driver strays from the lane or comes up on a car too quickly. I recently rode with my youngest daughter in a different car, and she inquired why it kept beeping at her. I explained the safety features, and she replied, “Am I really that bad of a driver?” At least it is a car giving her that info and not Mom.

Another comfort feature is noise reduction. The windshield glass is double-paned and really does cut down the traffic noise. 

The Envision offers continuous damping control. This helps optimize comfort in various road conditions for each wheel. It adjusts struts and shocks automatically, so bumps are minimized.

The ultra-wide, 30-inch diagonal screen flows into the driver’s side right behind the wheel, so you don’t need to strain your neck. If it is too distracting with one wide screen, adjust it to the regular mode.

The 20-inch aluminum wheels contain a pearl-nickel finish. The wheel trim over the tires is typically black. In the Envision, the trim is the same color as the vehicle, providing a seamless look. Pairing it with a glossy black front grill, it completes the Buick’s classy look.

The Buick Envision costs $47,595 with 24 mpg. It’s a mighty contender among other similar compact SUVs.