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.
For 2017, every RX 450h comes standard with forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control. You can also now get a front-wheel-drive F Sport model.
Pros Impeccably crafted and attractively designed cabin Excellent fuel economy for a luxury crossover Supremely quiet Appealing ride and handling balance with F Sport
Cons Gas savings unlikely to ever pay back the price premium Below-average cargo capacity Optional tech interface is distracting to use Relatively slow acceleration
The 2017 Lexus RX Hybrid ranks 4 out of 22 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The 2017 Lexus RX 450h is a midsize SUV that delivers the luxury you expect from Lexus while also providing solid performance and excellent fuel economy. However, its small cargo area detracts from its utility.
Pros Excellent fuel economy Comfortable, spacious seats
Cons Frustrating upgraded infotainment system Small cargo space
