Best Buick SUVs

An all-new addition to Buick's lineup last year, the 2025 Buick Envista cruises into its second model year with no significant changes. As the entry point in Buick's lineup, this compact SUV is designed to offer Buick levels of quality and comfort at a reasonable price. Starting under $25,000, the Envista offers a solid list of standard features, such as an 11-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and automatic climate control. Most of the features found on the higher trim levels are offered as stand-alone options on the base Envista, allowing buyers to pick just the items that are most important to them.

All versions of the Envista are powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. It's not a very powerful engine, so although it feels fine around town, it's sluggish on the highway. On the plus side, the Envista gets good mileage and is generally quiet and comfortable over most roads. The cabin is spacious enough to fit four adults comfortably, and there's plenty of cargo space behind the rear seats. All the controls are well laid out and the materials are decent, but it feels average unless you pay for the top-level Avenir model, which adds real leather trim, heated seats, and special seat designs.

There's plenty of competition in the Envista's price range. The Chevrolet Trax shares the same engine and is roughly the same size, but has a much different look and fewer features. The Hyundai Kona offers more power and even a pure electric version, but has a higher starting price. The Mazda CX-30 has a similar level of fit and finish along with sporty handling, but the Envista includes more features.

Think of the 2025 Buick Envision as a luxury-adjacent compact SUV. It doesn’t possess the overall refinement or interior materials polish of full-on luxury brands, including Acura or Lincoln, but it’s also a clear step up from the Hondas and Fords of the world. Basically, it’s perfectly in keeping with the Buick’s brand’s placement between Chevrolet and Cadillac.

The main reason to consider the Envision is value — you get a lot of equipment for the money. The secondary reason is unmissable the second you plop down into the Envision’s comfy driver’s seat. There before you, stretching 30 inches wide is a vibrant display that serves as both the instrument panel and touchscreen infotainment system. It’s not two wide rectangles smushed together as in many other vehicles — it really is one, big screen that looks terrific and is pleasantly easy to use. There are still physical interior controls for the climate system and other vehicle functions, so the cabin shouldn’t feel completely alien to those less interested in technology.

The Envision interior also offers distinctive color combinations, but besides that, this compact SUV is merely adequate. The engine is just OK and its interior space is smaller than many SUV rivals from both mainstream and luxury brands. The driving experience is comfortable, but forgettable. If technology and getting the most stuff for your money isn’t a top concern, an Acura RDX, Lincoln Corsair, or Lexus NX might be a better choice, or the surprisingly luxurious top trim levels of compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-50 or Nissan Rogue.