Buick has announced that prices for its new 2019 Envision will start at $ 33,985 (including destination), positioning the refreshed compact SUV right between its best-selling Encore entry-level crossover and more upmarket Enclave and taking aim at competitors including the Lincoln MKC and Acura RDX.
The Envision will be offered in five trim levels — Envision, Preferred, Essence, Premium and Premium II, which starts at $ 45,590 — when the crossover goes on sale this spring. Prices exclude tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
We told you recently about the optional new nine-speed Hydra-Matic 9T50 automatic transmission and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder on the top two trim levels. The upgraded engine offers 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup remains the 197-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine making 147 lb-ft of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic, offered in front- or all-wheel drive.
The crossover gets a new winged Buick emblem on the grille, new headlamps and newly sculpted front and rear facias, plus optional 19-inch wheels. It also gets a Buick-first tire-fill alert that signals when a tire has reached the recommended pressure level. Standard technology features include an in-vehicle air ionizer to eliminate odors, a switch to turn off its fuel-saving engine stop feature, rear-park assist, an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system and 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.
By dropping the starting MSRP by nearly $ 1,000, GM says the Envision is now better positioned against its top-selling Encore (starting MSRP $ 22,990), for which nearly 60 percent of buyers come from outside the automaker’s stable of brands.
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