Buick says Envision compact will arrive next summer

Automotive News is reporting Buick has green-lighted a compact crossover called the Envision, which will go on sale in the U.S. in summer 2016.

While the article doesn’t specifically mention Canada, it’s no stretch to suggest the new model will join the Canadian Buick line too, to take advantage of the significant demand for upscale compact crossovers. The Envision was made official at a Buick dealer council meeting at which the brand’s boss Duncan Alfred spoke to the company’s retailers.

AutoNews says the Envision will come with a 2.0L, 252-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and and six-speed automatic transmission; that engine would plunk the Envision right in the middle of the upscale compact crossover category, specs-wise, but the six-speed auto gives up a couple cogs to BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5.

Currently built and sold in China, the Envision shares its Delta II platform with the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, which suggests strongly those two crossovers will adopt a turbocharged drivetrain when they’re redesigned in the next year or two. But while the Equinox and Terrain are built in Ingersoll, Ontario, the Envision will be imported from China.

The summer on-sale date means it will probably roll into Buick dealers around the same time as the all-new Lacrosse sedan. We’ll have more for you on what we expect will be a very popular vehicle once GM Canada gives us some details to chew on; given today’s announcement, we would be surprised if Buick does not reveal the Envision for North America at the Detroit auto show in January.