2019 Buick Envision Vs. 2020 GMC Terrain

 Crossovers give buyers the people- and cargo-hauling capabilities of SUVs with the drivability of sedans. Two great options in the crossover class are the 2020 GMC Terrain and the near-luxury 2019 Buick Envision. Both crossovers can haul people and cargo around the Saginaw area with the best of then, but which is better for you and your family? Continue reading to find out.

Exterior

The Buick Envision rolls in boasting a distinctly European look with its more rounded body lines, clean sheet metal, and sleek waterfall grille. Being a sub-luxury crossover, the Buick Envision has a slew of high-end standard features that set it apart from most mainstream vehicles, including its 18-inch 10-spoke painted aluminum wheels, heated, power outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, high-intensity-discharge projector headlights, fog lights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, acoustic-laminated windshield and front-side glass, deep-tinted rear glass, and body-color door handles with chrome strips.

The GMC Terrain has a more rugged and striking design with its flat front end, uniquely shaped headlights and daytime running lights, a floating roof, and black lower body cladding. Being a more mainstream crossover, the 2020 GMC Terrain has fewer standard features than the Envision, but it is still well-equipped with standard 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, high-intensity-discharge headlights with auto-on/off, LED signature lighting, LED taillights, acoustic-laminated windshield, deep-tinted rear glass, heated, power mirrors, and more.

Though they are closely related, the 2019 Buick Envision and 2020 GMC Terrain differ in size. The 2019 Buick Envision is longer and taller, and it rides on a 1-inch-longer wheelbase. The Envision also weighs a few hundred pounds more thanks to its larger body and additional features.

Advantage: 2020 GMC Terrain

•       Smaller and nimbler
•       Striking looks

Advantage: 2019 Buick Envision

•       Sleek European design
•       More premium standard features

Interior

Inside, these General Motors cousins are dramatically different. The 2019 Buick Envision takes a far more luxurious approach with swoopy dash lines, a clean center stack, a two-door center console opening, a sleek three-post steering wheel, and more. Adding to this premium look is active noise control, additional sound-deadening material, and acoustic glass that makes this cabin whisper quiet.

The 2019 Envision also leaves nothing to be desired with its long list of standard features, including Buick Infotainment System, an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Heated front seats, eight-way power front seats, 4.2-inch color driver-information display, remote ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, interior ambient lighting, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi.

The 2020 GMC Terrain takes a more SUV-like approach with an upright design that incorporates tons of satin-metallic accents, a more traditional center console, a four-post steering wheel, and more. While the GMC Terrain is simpler in its base trim than the Envision, the Denali model gives the Buick a run for its money in terms of luxury and features.

The 2020 Terrain lacks the plethora of standard features the 2019 Envision has, but it is still well-equipped for its low base price. The 2020 Terrain’s standard features list includes active noise cancellation, a 7-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker AM/FM audio system, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, premium cloth seating, a flat-folding front passenger’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls, and more.

In terms of roominess, these crossovers area virtually identical. Where they differ the most is in rear legroom where the Buick has a 2.2-inch advantage and cargo room where the Terrain has a 2.7-cubic-foot advantage with the seats up, a 6-cube advantage with the rear seats folded, and a 23.7-cubic-foot advantage with the front passenger’s seat folded flat.

Advantage: 2020 GMC Terrain

•       Huge cargo advantage with passenger’s seat folded
•       Rugged-looking cabin
•       High-tech features on a low-tech budget

Advantage: 2019 Buick Envision

•       Standard 8-inch touchscreen
•       Whisper-quiet interior
•       Roomier back seat

Performance

The 2019 Buick Envision comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 197 horsepower and allows up to a 1,500-pound towing capacity. Optionally, buyers can get a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that a respectable 6.6-second 0-to-60 time but retains its 1,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2020 GMC Terrain boasts a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers less horsepower at 170 ponies but more low-end torque at 203 pound-feet. This small four-pot allows the Terrain to tow up to 1,.500 pounds. Optionally, buyers can get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and allows this GMC to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Across the board, the 2020 GMC Terrain delivers superior fuel economy relative to the Envision, which is owes to its lower weight and thrifty turbocharged engine lineup.

Advantage: 2020 GMC Terrain

•       Better fuel economy
•       Higher towing capacity

Advantage: 2019 Buick Envision

•       Smoother ride

Pricing and Features

The 2020 GMC Terrain has four trim levels – SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali – and its starting prices range from $26,195 to $39,495.

There are five trim levels in the 2019 Buick Envision lineup: 1SV, Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Premium II. Their starting prices range from $33,190 to $44,795.

2020 GMC Terrain Key Features and Pricing by Trim

SL: $26,195

•       1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine
•       Automatic engine stop/start
•       Nine-speed automatic transmission
•       Front-wheel drive
•       17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels
•       Black lower body cladding
•       High-intensity-discharge headlights with auto-on/off
•       C-shaped LED signature lighting
•       LED taillights
•       Acoustic-laminated windshield
•       Deep-tinted rear glass
•       Heated, power mirrors
•       Black mirror caps
•       Body-color door handles
•       Active noise cancellation
•       GMC Infotainment System
•       7-inch color touchscreen
•       Bluetooth connectivity
•       Bluetooth audio streaming
•       Apple CarPlay
•       Android Auto
•       Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
•       4G LTE Wi-Fi
•       Premium cloth seating
•       Four-way manual front seats
•       Flat-folding front passenger’s seat
•       60/40 split-folding rear seats
•       Carpeted floor mats
•       Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•       Steering-wheel-mounted controls
•       3.5-inch driver-information center
•       Power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down
•       Keyless unlock and ignition
•       Remote panic alarm
•       Cruise control
•       One USB-C data port in the front storage bin
•       One USB-A data port in the front storage bin
•       Two charge-only USB ports on rear of center console
•       Single-zone climate control
•       Rear air vents
•       Interior humidity sensor
•       Overhead sunglasses holder
•       GMC Connected Access capable
•       OnStar
•       Rear-seat reminder
•       Automatic high-beam headlights
•       Automatic emergency braking
•       Hill-descent control
•       Forward pedestrian braking
•       Forward-collision alert
•       Following distance indicator
•       Lane-keep assist
•       Lane-departure warning
•       Teen Driver
•       Rearview camera

SLE: $29,595

•       All SL features, plus
•       16-inch steel compact spare tire
•       4.2-inch multicolor driver-information center
•       Auto-dimming rearview mirrors
•       Carpeted rear floor mats

SLT: $32,395

•       All SLE features, plus
•       18-machined aluminum wheels with Dark Gray-painted accents
•       Heated, power, auto-dimming side-view mirrors with integrated turn signals
•       Roof-mounted side rails
•       110-volt power outlet
•       8-inch high-resolution touchscreen
•       Eight-way power driver’s seat
•       Ambient interior lighting
•       Dual-zone automatic climate control
•       High-definition rearview camera
•       Heated front seats
•       Remote ignition
•       Perforated leather-appointed seating
•       SiriusXM radio
•       Two type-A USB ports in the center console

Denali: $37,495

•       All SLT features, plus
•       2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
•       Larger front disc brakes
•       Enhanced-ride suspension
•       19-inch bright machined aluminum wheels with Dark Gray-painted accents
•       Dual-outlet exhaust
•       Trailer-hitch close-out cover
•       17-inch compact spare tire
•       Hands-free power liftgate
•       LED headlights
•       Six-way power passenger’s seat
•       Power front-seat lumbar
•       Heated steering wheel
•       Navigation
•       HD Radio
•       Bose premium seven-speaker audio system
•       Denali-specific sill plates
•       Universal home remote
•       Wireless charging pad
•       Front and rear parking sensors
•       Blind-zone alert with lane-change alert

2019 Buick Envision Key Features and Pricing by Trim

1SV: $33,190

•       2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
•       Six-speed automatic transmission
•       Automatic engine stop/start
•       Front-wheel drive
•       Electric parking brake
•       18-inch 10-spoke painted aluminum wheels
•       Heated, power outside mirrors
•       Body-color mirrors with integrated turn signals and auto-dimming driver’s side
•       High-intensity-discharge projector headlights
•       Fog lights
•       LED taillights
•       LED daytime running lights
•       Acoustic-laminated windshield and front-side glass
•       Deep-tinted rear glass
•       Body-color door handles with chrome strips
•       Buick Infotainment System
•       8-inch high-resolution touchscreen
•       Apple CarPlay
•       Android Auto
•       Siri Eyes Free
•       USB ports
•       Six-speaker audio system
•       SiriusXM
•       Active noise cancellation
•       60/40 split-folding rear seats
•       Heated front seats
•       One-touch flat-folding rear seats
•       Eight-way power front seats
•       Two rear charge-only USB ports
•       Carpeted floor mats
•       Steering-wheel-mounted controls
•       Power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down
•       One-touch down on all other windows
•       Universal home remote
•       Cruise control
•       4.2-inch color driver-information display
•       Power door locks
•       Keyless open and ignition
•       Remote ignition
•       Remote panic alarm
•       Dual-zone automatic climate control
•       Rear air vents
•       Auto-dimming rearview mirror
•       Leather-wrapped shift knob
•       Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•       Interior ambient lighting
•       4G LTE Wi-Fi
•       OnStar
•       Buick Connected Access capable
•       Rearview camera
•       Rear parking sensors
•       Teen Driver
•       Tire-fill alert

Preferred: $34,695

•       All 1SV features, plus
•       Rear parking sensors

Essence: $36,995

•       All Preferred features, plus
•       18-inch polished aluminum wheels
•       Chrome roof-mounted side rails
•       Two-position memory for driver’s seat and outside mirrors
•       Heated rear outboard seats
•       Heated steering wheel
•       Leather-appointed seating
•       Tri-zone automatic climate control
•       Blind-zone alert with lane-change alert
•       Rear cross-traffic alert

Premium: $41,895

•       All Essence features, plus
•       2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine
•       All-wheel drive
•       Nine-speed automatic transmission
•       Dual-outlet exhaust
•       19-inch aluminum wheels
•       Bi-LED headlights
•       Rain-sensing windshield wipers
•       110-volt power outlet
•       8-inch color driver-information center
•       Seven-speaker Bose audio system
•       Following-distance indicator
•       Forward-collision alert
•       Front and rear parking sensors
•       In-vehicle air ionizer
•       Lane-keep assist
•       Lane-departure warning
•       Safety-alert seat

Premium II: $44,795

•       All Premium features, plus
•       Automatic parking assist
•       Navigation
•       Head-up display
•       Heated and cooled front seats
•       Manual thigh support
•       Wireless charging

Who Should Buy the 2020 GMC Terrain

Buyers with a tighter budget who still want a crossover with tons of features will finds that in the 2020 GMC Terrain. The Terrain is also a better fit for buyers who prefer a more rugged look to the sleek Buick styling.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Buick Envision

Shoppers who want to get top-notch features and comfort in their crossover without moving into a pricey luxury car will find a nice balance in the 2019 Buick Envision. It sits just below luxury crossovers in terms of price but offers features that rival these pricier luxury rigs.

Ready to step into a crossover with luxury-level features without the luxury price? The 2019 Buick Envision is the ride for you. Come by the Garber Buick showroom serving the Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland areas today to take the new Envision for a spin and see what is can offer your family. Can’t make it to out Saginaw area showroom today? You can navigate to our online inventory page to see all our in-stock 2019 Buick Envision models, pick a few that suit your needs, and schedule a future test drive at a time that fits your busy schedule.