Instead of the regular 2021 Envision thread, I decided to post this in a new thread, because it is supposedly going to be a slightly longer version of the upcoming 2021 Envision, and will have a third-row seat for larger families. What this will do to Enclave sales may remain to be seen .....the two of them might both be going after the same audience, though that might also include some who are cross-shopping the Lincoln Aviator and Cadillac XT6. (the XT5 doesn't have a 3-row option)

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/06...over-detailed/

Envision GX: Upcoming Three-Row Buick Crossover Detailed

35

• BY ALEX LUFT
• — JUN 16, 2020

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Earlier this month, our spies spotted a peculiar prototype of a future Buick crossover that looked like a larger version of the all-new, 2021 Buick Envision. At the time, we posited that the model rides either on the GM C1 platform shared with the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac XT6 or a longer version of the GM E2 platform, which – in short-wheelbase guise – will underpin the 2021 Envision. Now, we’ve learned more information about the upcoming vehicle, including the platform, associated program code, and name.

Buick Envision GX prototype (E2YB)

2021 Buick Envision (E2UB)

E2YB

Sources familiar with product plans told GM Authority that the model in question will ride on the E2 platform shared most directly with the all-new 2021 Buick Envision.

Before we get to the program code of the extended-length model, let’s first have a look at the regular Envision, which is assigned program code E2UB. That translates to:

• E2: General Motors E2 platform
• U: utility vehicle (regular size/capacity)
• B: Buick brand

Meanwhile, the curious Buick crossover in question is assigned program code E2YB, which disambiguates as:

• E2: General Motors E2 platform
• Y: utility vehicle (larger size/capacity)
• B: Buick brand

One of the telltale signs that this future model is based on the E2 platform is its use of five lug nuts – a characteristic of all vehicles riding on E2. By comparison, all models utilizing the larger C1 platform utilize six lugs.

Envision GX

Sources say that, when it does come to market sometime next year, this future seven-seat Buick crossover will be sold under the Envision GX moniker. Earlier reports, including those by GM Authority, have stated that the Envoy name could be in the running based on trademark filings. However, it appears that Envision GX – which GM also filed to trademark in 2018 – has ultimately won out.

The name choice makes sense given the model’s mechanical relationship to the Envision. Additionally, the Envision GX would create a family of Envision vehicles, with a “regular” model followed by a larger and more upscale “GX” variant. The same pattern can be seen with the Buick Encore and new Encore GX.



Turbocharged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine (for Cadillac XT4)

Turbocharged 2.0L

The Envision GX will be motivated by the same powertrain as the regular Envision: a turbo-charged 2.0L LSY four-cylinder engine likely making 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque – the same figures the boosted four banger makes in the other E2-based model – the Cadillac XT4.

The new GM nine-speed automatic transmission will do the shifting in this upcoming Buick crossover. Front-wheel-drive will be standard, and all-wheel-drive will be available.

Three Rows, Seven Seats

This Buick Envision GX will have three rows of seating for a maximum occupancy of seven passengers.

Sources indicate that the vehicle will share the 2,779-mm wheelbase with the “regular” E2UB / Envision, meaning that the additional space will come in the form of a more traditional/more functional roof treatment.

Positioning

From a positioning standpoint, the Buick Envision GX will be a midsize, D-segment vehicle, filling a relatively large gap in the Buick crossover/SUV lineup, especially in North America – where Buick lacks a midsize and midsize-plus SUV offering.
2021-2022 Buick Crossover Lineup Segment: Subcompact Subcompact + Compact Midsize Midsize + Full-Size China: Encore (GEM) Encore GX (VSS-F) Envision (E2) Envision GX (E2) Enclave (C1 regular) - North America: Encore (G2) Encore GX (VSS-F) Envision (E2) Envision GX (E2) - Enclave (C1 long)The Envision GX will fit between the “regular” Envision and one of two Enclave models – the full-size three-row Enclave sold in North America and the “midsize-plus,” three-row Enclave sold in China.

Sources tell us the final product will be very similar in overall dimensions to the two-row Blazer, though with a more traditional roofline.

“Global” Vehicle

As of this writing, we understand that this future Buick crossover, aka the Buick Envision GX, will be a “global” vehicle. In Buick’s case, that means that it will be marketed in both North America and China.

Production of the all-new (two-row) Envision will take place in China, and we have no reason to expect this to change for the three-row variant. Expect the new Envision GX to go on sale in North America in the first half of the 2021 calendar year, roughly six months after the all-new, two-row Buick Envision.

We’ll have more on all things Buick, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Buick news and ongoing GM news coverage.

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i can understand the market for this, just how Lexus has the RX-L. Glad they didn’t make only a 3 row version of the Envision as VW has done with the newest Tiguan (at least the AWD version).

Just purchased a 2017 Envision Premium II for my daughter as her first car. Amazing bank for the buck with how it depreciated and I love all of the safety features it has compared to many of the other cars in its used price point. The envision certainly isn’t an enthusiasts car, but it’s a very nice driving, quiet, luxurious ride. I’m sure Buick will have more luck with a 3 row version.

 

I would think someone cross shopping an XT6 or Aviator would be more inclined to look at an Enclave Avenir if they were going to consider a Buick. I would think this would be too small compared to those.

 

Like I said earlier, a stretched, three-row Envision GX could very well tread on at least some of the Enclave's turf. Many commenters and reviewers are also of the opinion that the new Envision, unlike the Enclave, is a home run in the looks department. Last, of course, it will be Buick's latest, up-to-date platform.

 

i expect this will still be a good bit smaller than an enclave, so a fairly useless third row. but it's another checkbox item.

 

Two things. Even the new standard-length Envision is longer than the first-generation model, so a stretched version would likely be even closer to the Enclave's length and/or interior volume. Second, the people at Buick (if they were paying attention, which, of course, is not always the case) probably saw the criticism that Lexus took for the way that they haphazardly shoehorned the third-row seat into the RX, with people crammed in like sardines. They are not likely to repeat the same mistake on their latest, up-to-date crossover Buick platform.

 

If it's close in size to enclave, why keep the enclave?

 

Or why have an Envision GX here when we have the Enclave

 

having been designed and built in china (i believe) the envision is probably a lot less expensive to make than the enclave.

 

Well, like I said above, that may be an interesting question to consider.

 

Interesting because the Enclave is assembled in Michigan and China

 

Are Americans really happily buying this car?

it is

Made
In
China

The Envision is made in China.

 

Name me one thing that Americans DON'T buy that is made in China.

 

so are iphones. QED.

 

Most buyers don't pay attention to this. It's an American brand, so most people believe they are "buying American".