2019 Buick Envision will get a minor facelift

Buick has plans of refreshing its popular Envision compact crossover for the 2019 model year. Automotive News was able to get a sneak peek of the model recently, which is supposedly getting a couple of subtle changes, but still noticeable - up front and in the rear.

The outgoing model has been out in the United States for about a year and a half, but with this segment (SUV market) being the most competitive amongst the rest, manufacturers are seeing a need to regularly update their vehicles.

The automaker wants to align the 2019 Buick Envision with the brand’s other models, namely its best selling Encore. It was back in May 2016 when the Envision was first launched as a first entry model in the compact crossover segment, and it quickly became the brand’s number 3 seller behind two other crossovers, which are the Encore and Enclave. In its first full year on the market in 2017, it sold a total of 41,040 units.

One of the noticeable changes in the facelifted Envision will be the new grille that incorporates an updated Buick logo featuring the wings seen on other models. Customers could also opt for the optional LED headlights.

But the real upgrade could be seen at the rear, as the 2019 Envision now has a resculpted liftgate, together with a redesigned tail lights and a rear fascia with scalloped sides that have the same shape as the rear lenses. Exhaust tips have morphed from oval to rectangular. When looking into the interior, there are no noticeable changes, though the Envision’s start-stop system can now be disabled if you wish to do so.

If you didn’t know, the Envision is actually GM’s very first import from China, back in 2014 when it first went on sale. And if you think about it, a mid-cycle refresh is actually already overdue, though the Envision has been a strong seller for Buick, being the third model in the automaker’s sales rank.

It was not that long ago when the 2017 Envision was tested on the road. It was determined to be a comfortable contender in the segment - with plenty of luxury. The one thing that really bothered us the most was its slightly dated design.

With all the upgrades that have been mentioned, it is ironic that the automaker has not shared new photos of the car just yet. Instead, the photos we are looking at now actually come from GM’s Chinese media site but they do showcase what’s in store for the US version.

Right now, we are just waiting for Buick representatives in the United States to send us additional information and official photos, and we will definitely update you when we get them.