AutoVerdict
Buick’s lineup has been shrinking in recent years as the brand purges its passenger cars. However, Buick appears to be on the cusp of growing again, but that grown will come in the form of more crossover utility vehicles.
CarScoops recently caught the new Buick–dubbed the “Baby Enclave”–testing. The shots showcase a crossover that is clearly a Buick, identified by its somewhat revealed taillights that looks remarkably similar to the Enclave’s.
The similarity to the Enclave is no surprise. This new SUV will ride on the same C1XX architecture that underpins the Enclave, but this one will get the short wheelbase variant. Basically this Buick will borrow the architecture that underpins the Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia in an effort to slot between the Envision and Enclave.
Currently the Envision starts at $31,000 and the 2020 Enclave starts just over $40,000, suggesting there is a gap in the Buick portfolio in terms of price points. It’s also possible Buick will ultimately lean on this new SUV to entirely replace the Envision, given the fact the Envision is imported from China and now subject to steep tariffs that will call its profitability into question.
GM hasn’t confirmed a manufacturing venue for this new Buick, but its stablemates are produced in Spring Hill, Tennessee and Mexico.
This doesn't surprise me what with the uncertainty of the Envision and the fact that there is room in the line up for something. I hate to see all the cars go away though.