Sales of the Buick Envision crossover have been unremarkable, moving fewer units in 2017 than the smaller, less expensive Buick Encore and the pricier three-row Buick Enclave.
In an effort to reinvigorate sales, Buick is updating the compact crossover. The refreshed 2019 Buick Envision isn't much different from last year's model, but a handful of tweaks should make it more appealing to prospective buyers.
On the outside, the vertical grille slats are black rather than chrome, and the Buick logo is now flanked by the dual horizontal bars found on other models in the lineup. The foglight enclosures have been redesigned, the taillights reworked and new wheels introduced. Xenon headlights replace old-school halogens on base models, while those equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine get LED headlights.
The 2.0-liter engine, the Envision's upgraded motor, features a new nine-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous six-speed. Buick engineers also made the turbo-four slightly more powerful; horsepower remains at 252 horsepower, but torque has increased from 260 pound-feet to 295 lb-ft. Unfortunately, the base non-turbocharged four-cylinder that powers the majority of Envisions carries forward unchanged.
With either engine, the automatic stop-start system that has been mandatory since the Envision debuted can now be disabled. As with systems in competing cars, your preferences aren't saved after you turn off the car. The 2019 Envision is the only current Buick to have an engine stop-start shutoff button, but we expect other models will get this feature in coming years.
In addition to these upgrades, the Envision's price is lower this year — depending on trim level, the MSRP drops $1,400 to $2,400. The price reduction, additional features and other minor modifications, including enhanced braking response and improved wireless charging, make this crossover more palatable.