2018 Buick Envision — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2018 Buick Envision

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $30,499–$40,865
Fuel Economy 22 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,386/yr

Key Specifications — 2018 Buick Envision

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$30,499–$40,865

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2018 Buick Envision

With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2018 Buick Envision earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.1/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.0/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.1/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $30,499–$40,865, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Buick Envision sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.1/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2018 Buick Envision, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2018 Buick Envision ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,499 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 15%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Envision Year Should You Buy?

Across the Envision model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.7/10$38,310 Read review →
2025 7.7/10$38,310 Read review →
2024 7.6/10$37,195 Read review →
2023 7.5/10$36,079 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$34,963 Read review →
2021 7.4/10$33,847 Read review →
2020 7.3/10$32,731 Read review →
2019 7.4/10$31,615 Read review →
2018 (this review) 7.2/10$30,499
2017 7.2/10$29,384 Read review →
2016 7.2/10$28,268 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2018 Buick Envision

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

More Buick Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Buick models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.