The 2018 Buick Envision is a comfortable, roomy five-seat crossover that may not be the best in its class but is still worth a look.
Pros Pleasant styling Very quiet Comfortable ride Good value at bottom end
Cons Price escalates fast Oddball Preferred trim level Safety tech only on top models A little narrow
The 2018 Buick Envision ranked #11 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Buick Envision has a score of 7.9 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 25 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Peppy optional turbocharged engine Comfortable, roomy seats Lots of tech features
Cons Underwhelming base engine Numb handling Less interior opulence than luxury rivals
Among small luxury crossover SUVs, the 2018 Buick Envision might be worth your attention. Though its exterior styling is generic, it comes with a generous amount of features for the price and has an attractive interior trimmed in high-quality materials. It slots between the compact Encore and larger Enclave in Buick's portfolio. As such, it's pretty easy to maneuver around town but still has a decent amount of interior and cargo space.
Pros The cabin is quiet at highway speeds You get a lot of features for the money
Cons Weak acceleration with base engine Unsettled ride quality at times Cargo capacity is below average for the class
The new Equinox is based on an all-new architecture that weighs about 400 pounds less than its predecessor. Chevrolet credits the weight saving to high-strength steel and other grams-add-up type measures, but the reality is that there's quite a bit less Equinox this time around. The 2018 Equinox shrinks, losing its "tweener" status, and is now much closer to the Honda CR-V in all four main dimensions. To Chevy's credit the interior dimensions are pretty much the same, with the small hit in cargo space mitigated by the large hidden storage area under the cargo floor. The pricing disparity against its competition is a shame, because the Equinox is a compelling compact crossover SUV in virtually every other way. It looks great inside and out, offers good high-tech features, drives exceptionally well, will offer a diesel engine, and the promise of a high-horsepower version sounds fun. We just wish Chevy would take the cue from its competitors and broaden the availability of its advanced safety tech and add in active cruise as well.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a needed step forward for the brand and a solid compact crossover.
Pros Solid base engine Denim-like fabric is surprisingly comfortable Lighter, brighter, and smarter A fuel-efficient turbodiesel coming
Cons Still hard plastics abound Not as fuel-efficient as some Safety features reserved for top trims Smaller rear cargo area
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is fully redesigned for 2018. It's slightly smaller overall compared to its predecessor, but the reduced weight combined with more efficient engines pay off at the pump.
Pros Three engines to choose from, including a fuel-efficient diesel Smooth ride over most road surfaces Expansive list of optional safety features MyLink user interface is intuitive and easy to use
Cons Smaller cargo area compared to most of its competitors Base L trim is special order only The 1.5-liter engine and its slow-shifting transmission don't feel very lively
