Better than Mazda CX-50? 2022 Buick Envision Avenir
It is not often we get competing vehicles at the exact same time here at GT: Garage Talk, but when we do we cannot help but do a little comparison. For 2023 Mazda introduced the CX-50 crossover that ups the brand’s luxurious appeal, and then we have this week’s tester in the 2022 Buick Envision Avenir. Avenir is the new top-trim, for the Buick brand, much like Denali for GMC.
NEED TO KNOW
- The Envision Avenir is Buick’s top trim, adding luxury finishes to their compact crossover.
- The writer states it ‘did not disappoint’ — quiet ride quality is singled out as the standout trait.
- AWD is not standard on the Avenir; buyers who want it must pay extra.
- A dealer retrofit was needed to add heated and ventilated seats that should have been factory-installed — a notable quality-control note.
- At $45,305 it undercuts many European rivals while offering comparable refinement.
While we have tested an Envision here on the channel before, we said yes to the opportunity to test out Buick’s best in the compact crossover segment. This Buick did not disappoint.
Coming in at just over $45,000, this luxury crossover had plenty to offer in a platform that was buttoned-down, rattle-free, and so smooth in many different situations from city to highway driving.
2022 Buick Envision Avenir Specs:
• 2.0L Turbo ECOTEC 4-cylinder Engine • 228 Horsepower
• 258 lb-ft of Torque
• 9-speed Automatic Transmission
• Front Wheel Drive (Available All-wheel Drive)
• 3 Drive Modes (Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice)
• Heated/Ventilated Front Leather Seats*
• Heated Rear Outboard Leather Seats*
• Seating for 5
• 2-Person Memory Driver’s Seat with 8-way Power Adjustment
• 25.2 Cubic Feet of Storage Behind Second Row
• 52.7 Cubic Feet of Storage Behind Front Row • 10.2-inch Color Touchscreen Infotainment with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Head-Up Display
• Proximity Key with Push Button Start
• Power Liftgate with Handsfree Kick-to-open Feature
• 20-inch Pearl Nickel Finish Aluminum Wheels
• EPA Fuel Economy 24/31/26 (city/hwy/combined)
• Starting MSRP $39,850 (Avenir)
• Price as tested: $45,305
Watch our test of the Envision Essence Trim
*With dealer retrofit at a later date
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2022 Buick Envision Avenir
PROS
- Buttoned-down, rattle-free ride quality impresses on both city streets and highways
- Exceptionally quiet cabin — the writer specifically praises the hushed interior at all speeds
- Strong value proposition at $45,305 for a luxury-branded crossover with premium features
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included without a wired connection requirement
CONS
- Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive requires an additional cost option
- Heated and ventilated front seats had to be retrofitted at the dealer after purchase — they were not installed from the factory