Buick to get rid of brand plate badge starting with 2019 models

The refreshed 2019 Buick Envision compact SUV was recently unveiled to feature some visual and performance tweaks. Not a few have noticed that the latest iteration of the Envision doesn’t anymore sport the brand plate badge (BUICK lettering) on its rear end. There is a reason for that – Buick has decided to do away with the brand plate badge starting in the 2019 model year.

There are a number of ways to identify a vehicle as an offering of a certain brand. For instance, the vehicle features signature design elements distinct to the brand. Aside from these hallmark styling cues, a vehicle could be identified through the brand plate, brand emblems and brand logos as well as the nameplate. Of course, people need to be familiar with these identifying elements to properly identify a vehicle with a certain brand.

As for Buick vehicles, they are also identified with the brand through several distinguishing elements. But, it is pretty hard to identify a Buick through its overall design alone. Buick’s Tri-Shield logo – now featuring a red, silver and blue finish – on the front and rear ends is a good identifier.

However, one needs to be familiar with the brand logo to be able to identify a vehicle as a Buick. Likewise, one needs to be familiar with the brand’s nameplates. If there is a direct indicator that identifies a vehicle as a Buick, it is the brand plate. Buick’s 2018 vehicles bear this brand plate on the rear end, along with the nameplate badge. But for the 2019 Envision, the Buick brand plate badge is now nowhere to be found.

Buick has given no reason why it is removing the brand plate badge from its vehicles. The 2019 Envision is the first model to lose the brand plate badge, and the rest of Buick’s product lineup is set to follow its track. It could be for aesthetic reason, but for now, people could only speculate why the brand plate badge is getting the boot.

The new 2019 Buick Envision features a new front fascia, with the new headlights and the grille that make the refreshed model look more like other new Buick models. HID headlights are now standard, while optional LEDs are available for the top two trim levels. The new Envision now features new rear lights and rides on a set of 19-inch wheels.

It is now available with the 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 252 hp of peak output and 295 lb.-ft. of max torque. Paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine allows the new 2019 Envision to be around half a second quicker than its predecessor in the sprint from zero to 60 mph.

In addition, the 2019 Buick features a redesigned brake booster that could reduce brake pedal effort as well as a backup camera, quicker heating heated seats, a new microphone for clearer Bluetooth phone calling, as well as brand new wireless charging technology.

Buick will commence sales of the 2019 Envision in spring of this year at a starting price of $32,990 before destination. The fully loaded Premium II trim level will have a starting price of $44,595.