Buick announced Friday that it will bring from China the Buick Envision to sell in the U.S. next summer, two years after that car was introduced overseas, and that it will be the first Chinese-made car from a domestic manufacturer.
Automotive News reported that the small crossoverwould go on sale sometime around August, earlier than expected from initial reports last month.
When it goes on sale, the Envision will be powered by a 2-liter turbocharged four that makes 252 horsepower and will only be offered in all-wheel drive to start. The model will be bookended by the subcompact-sized Encore and full-size Enclave and fill a substantial need for the premium automaker.Â
The Envision is constructed on General Motors’ replacement for its Theta platform that will eventually underpin the new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
The new crossover will likely start near $35,000 to fill the void between the Encore, which starts at around $25,000, and the Enclave, which starts near $40,000.
The Envision will be roughly one inch longer than the Audi Q5 at 183.7 inches and less than one inch shorter than the Acura RDX. Both premium crossovers start at more than $35,000 — the RDX is priced closer to $36,000 and the Q5 starts over $40,000.
The Envision will be assembled in GM’s Shandong facility.