Forget about its Chinese roots; the Envision is a comfortable, well-appointed crossover. But it's also expensive, and there are some interior compromises. Let's not beat around the bush: The 2017 Buick Envision is the first mainstream vehicle assembled in China and exported to the United States. Introduced last year but expanded for the 2017 model year to a full lineup of base, Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Premium II trim levels, the Envision may sound like a brand of perfume, but it's really a mid-size crossover.
Pros Perfect fit for the Buick lineup Quiet interior Comfortable ride quality Attractive styling
Cons Price on par with genuine luxury rivals Would you buy a Chinese-made American car? Turbo is AWD-only Advanced safety tech costs big bucks
The 2017 Buick Envision ranks 12 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. The 2017 Buick Envision gets lost near the back of the luxury compact SUV pack. It’s comfortable to drive and nicely equipped, and it offers good value for the money, but in a sea of over-achievers, the Envision is just average.
Pros Peppy turbocharged engine Comfortable, spacious seats Excellent safety ratings Lots of tech features
Cons Underpowered base engine Dull handling
The 2017 Buick Envision is an all-new vehicle in the lineup that slots between the smaller Encore and the midsize Enclave SUVs. The Envision combines a practical size with a long list of standard features that make it a value-packed, near-luxury SUV worth considering.
Pros Manageable size makes it easy to drive and maneuver The cabin is as quiet inside as premium luxury SUVs You get a lot of features for the money.
Cons Cargo capacity is merely average for the class Engine output is adequate but far from impressive.
The 2017 Chevy Suburban is the ne plus ultra of SUVs; it'll tow up to 8,300 pounds and carry up to nine passengers without a fuss. The current Suburban is completely up to date, though. Revamped for the 2015 model year, it's sold in LS, LT, and Premier trims. In all of them, it's a towing and hauling champion, with extreme interior space to boot—and a big dose of connectivity for long road trips and on-site job needs. We rate it at 6.2 out of 10, with a nod toward its exceptional trailering talent and for its vast interior room.
Pros Unabashedly an SUV Much-improved cabin Excellent new V-8 drivetrain More safety and better infotainment features
Cons Very angular styling One powertrain fits all One of the biggest vehicles you can buy
The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban ranks 5 out of 6 Large SUVs. The Chevrolet Suburban offers an upscale cabin loaded with features, roomy seats, and one of the largest cargo capacities in the class. However, some competitors have a lower starting price, better crash test scores, and a higher towing capacity than the Suburban.
Pros Hushed, upscale interior Generous cargo room Cushioned ride
Cons Lower safety scores than some rivals Lower towing capacity than rivals
For 2017 the Chevrolet Suburban changes the name of its top trim level to Premier. New features for the lineup of Suburban models include automatic low-speed emergency braking paired with the existing forward collision warning system, a teen-driver location management system, and a reminder to check the backseats for child occupants before leaving the vehicle. Simple ventilated seats replace the former cooled seats, and the rear entertainment system has been updated.
Pros Seating for up to nine passengers Cargo capacity is generous High-quality interior adds some luxury Strong V8 engine is up to the task.
Cons Maneuvering in tight spaces is challenging High cargo floor means more effort to load objects Throttle response is sluggish Maximum passenger capacity is available only in the base model.
