On this page
- The 2026 Buick lineup at a glance
- Which Buick fits you?
- Buick trim names: Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir
- Envista vs. Encore GX vs. Envision
- Buick Enclave vs. GMC Acadia
- Do you need AWD in a Buick?
- Fuel economy, hybrids and Virginia's highway use fee
- Where Buicks are built, and why it matters this year
- Safety and driver-assist technology: what to check
- Buying a used or pre-owned Buick
- Buicks for Chesterfield life
- Guides in this center
- Frequently asked questions
The 2026 Buick lineup at a glance
| Envista | Encore GX | Envision | Enclave | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small crossover | Small SUV | Compact SUV | Mid-size 3-row SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl (137 hp) | 1.2L turbo (137 hp) or 1.3L turbo (155 hp) | 2.0L turbo 4-cyl (228 hp) | 2.5L turbo 4-cyl (328 hp) |
| Drivetrain | FWD only | FWD; AWD available | AWD | FWD; AWD available |
| Max towing | Not rated | 1,000 lbs | about 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Final assembly | South Korea | South Korea | China | Lansing, Michigan |
| Trims | Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir | Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir | Sport Touring, Avenir | Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir |
Specifications per Buick.com, fall 2026. Towing applies to properly equipped vehicles; for current pricing, check live prices on any vehicle in our inventory.
See every Buick on our lot on our new Buick SUV inventory page, or browse Avenir models in stock.
Which Buick fits you?
| If you are... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A commuter on Route 288, Powhite or Midlothian Turnpike who wants the lowest payment | Envista | Buick's most affordable model, 32 mpg highway and a long, low design that looks more upscale than its class |
| A commuter who wants AWD for icy mornings | Encore GX | AWD in a small, easy-to-park SUV with a taller seating position |
| A retiree or downsizer who wants comfort and easy entry | Encore GX or Envision | Higher seats than the Envista; the Envision adds a quieter, roomier cabin and more power |
| Moving up from a small SUV and want real power | Envision | 228 hp turbo and AWD for confident merges on I-95 and I-64 |
| A family with three kids, car seats or carpool duty | Enclave | Three rows, seating for seven and 5,000 lbs of towing for a small camper or boat |
| Want every luxury feature | Any model in Avenir trim | Buick's top trim, with premium materials and the fullest list of features |
Buick trim names: Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir
Buick keeps it simple, with three trim names used across the lineup.
- Preferred is the well-equipped starting point: touchscreen infotainment, smartphone integration and Buick's core safety features.
- Sport Touring adds sportier styling, specific wheels and design details, usually for a modest step up from Preferred.
- Avenir is Buick's luxury trim, with upgraded materials, unique styling and the most available technology. On the Enclave, Avenir is the closest Buick comes to a luxury-brand three-row SUV.
Envista vs. Encore GX vs. Envision
These three two-row SUVs overlap in price, so this is the comparison we're asked about most.
- Choose the Envista if price and style matter most and you don't need AWD. It's the least expensive Buick and the most fuel-efficient, but it's front-wheel drive only and isn't rated for towing.
- Choose the Encore GX if you want AWD and a taller, more SUV-like seating position in a small footprint. At 171.1 inches long, it's easy to park at Chesterfield Towne Center and in tight neighborhood driveways.
- Choose the Envision if you want noticeably more power (228 hp vs. 137-155 hp), standard AWD and a quieter cabin. It costs more, but it drives like a step up in class.
Our Envista vs. Encore GX vs. Envision guide adds cargo tests with a real stroller and golf bag.
Buick Enclave vs. GMC Acadia
The Enclave and the GMC Acadia share a platform, the 328-hp 2.5L turbo engine, the 5,000-lb tow rating and their Lansing, Michigan, assembly plant. The difference is personality: the Acadia leans rugged, with an AT4 off-road trim, while the Enclave leans quiet and upscale, with the Avenir trim. The Enclave is typically priced a little above a comparable Acadia. Because we sell both at Haley Buick GMC Midlothian, you can drive them back to back on the same day. See our Enclave vs. Acadia comparison.
Do you need AWD in a Buick?
Most Chesterfield commuters don't strictly need AWD, because central Virginia sees more freezing rain than deep snow and good tires do most of the work on ice. AWD does help on wet hills, gravel driveways and the handful of snowy mornings each winter. If AWD is a must, skip the Envista, which is front-wheel drive only, and look at the Encore GX, Envision or Enclave. Read our AWD vs. 4WD guide.
Fuel economy, hybrids and Virginia's highway use fee
Buick doesn't sell a hybrid in the U.S. for 2026. Its small turbocharged engines are the efficiency play instead: the Envista is EPA-rated at 32 mpg highway. One Virginia detail most buyers don't know: the state charges an annual highway use fee on fuel-efficient vehicles rated at 25 mpg combined or more, collected with registration. For fiscal 2026 it ranges from $6.86 to $131.88 depending on the vehicle's rating, so some Envista and Encore GX owners will see it on their renewal. See our hybrid and highway use fee guide.
Where Buicks are built, and why it matters this year
Where a vehicle is built now affects taxes. Under the federal car loan interest deduction, only new vehicles with final assembly in the U.S. qualify. In the 2026 Buick lineup, that's the Enclave (Lansing, Michigan). The Envista and Encore GX are built in South Korea and the Envision in China, so their loans don't qualify. Assembly location says nothing about quality; all four are designed and engineered by GM. See our loan interest deduction model list.
Safety and driver-assist technology: what to check
Every 2026 Buick comes with a core suite of active safety features, and the list grows as you move up in trim. Because standard and available features change by model, trim and package, the most reliable source for a specific vehicle is its window sticker. These are the features our customers ask about most, and why they matter on local roads.
| Feature | What it does | Why it matters around Midlothian |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic emergency braking | Brakes automatically if a frontal collision with a vehicle is imminent | Sudden stops at Midlothian Turnpike signals and Chippenham merges |
| Front pedestrian braking | Detects pedestrians ahead and can brake | Parking lots at Chesterfield Towne Center and school pickup lines |
| Lane keep assist and lane departure warning | Warns or gently steers if you drift from your lane | Long, dark stretches of Route 288 after the clocks change |
| Blind zone and rear cross traffic alerts | Warn of vehicles beside you or crossing behind you | Multi-lane merges on Powhite and Route 288 |
| Adaptive cruise control | Holds a set gap to the vehicle ahead | Stop-and-go rush hour toward downtown and the West End |
| Automatic high beams | Switches high beams on and off with traffic | Deer season on wooded roads into Powhatan |
Availability varies by model, trim and package. Confirm on the window sticker or Buick.com before you buy.
For independent crash-test results, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA ratings for the specific model year. Our deer-season safety guide explains what these systems can and can't do at night.
Buying a used or pre-owned Buick
A late-model Buick can be one of the best values on a used lot, because Buicks tend to be well-equipped and gently driven. A few things to know:
- Name changes: Buick retired the Encore (non-GX) and the Envision's older Essence trim names, so a used listing may use names that differ from today's lineup.
- Check every VIN for recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls; open recall work is free at any GM dealer.
- Every pre-owned vehicle from Haley Buick GMC Midlothian gets a pre-delivery inspection, a complimentary Carfax report and the Haley Advantage, including a 72-hour return policy on qualified pre-owned vehicles.
- Budget for Chesterfield's car tax. A newer used Buick is assessed at a higher value in its first years, so include the June 5 bill in your monthly math.
Browse pre-owned inventory and see how we screen trades in our guide to spotting flood-damaged used cars.
Buicks for Chesterfield life
- The school run: The Enclave's third row fits carpools to Chesterfield County Public Schools, and its power liftgate handles sports gear for weekend games.
- The Route 288 and Powhite commute: The Envista and Encore GX keep fuel costs down on daily highway miles, and adaptive cruise control (available by trim) eases stop-and-go traffic near the Chippenham interchange.
- Weekends at Pocahontas State Park or the James River: The Encore GX and Envision carry bikes and kayaks with roof rails, and the Enclave tows a small camper or boat up to 5,000 lbs.
- Retirement and downsizing: Buyers moving from a sedan often prefer the Encore GX's or Envision's higher seats for easier entry and exit.
Guides in Buick SUV Research
Each guide below goes deeper on one topic from this page. New guides are added as they publish.
AWD or 4WD for a Richmond winter?Every Buick and GMC, model by model.Publishing Nov 5
New Buick SUVs for saleLive inventory in Midlothian.Publishing Nov 20
Envista vs. Encore GX vs. EnvisionWhich small Buick fits a Chesterfield commute.Publishing Nov 24
Best 3-row SUVs: Enclave vs. Acadia vs. YukonThird rows, cargo and towing, side by side.Publishing Dec 3
Does Buick or GMC make a hybrid?MPG options and Virginia's highway use fee.Publishing Jan 4
Buick Avenir and GMC Denali in stockPremium trims on our lot.Publishing Jan 12
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Envista all-wheel drive?
No. The 2026 Buick Envista is front-wheel drive only. If you want AWD in a small Buick, the Encore GX offers it, and the Envision and Enclave do as well.
Which Buick is the most fuel-efficient?
The 2026 Buick Envista, EPA-rated at 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. It's front-wheel drive only; if you need AWD, look at the Encore GX, Envision or Enclave.
What's the difference between the Envista and the Encore GX?
The Envista is longer, lower and less expensive, with front-wheel drive only. The Encore GX is shorter and taller, sits higher, offers AWD and can tow up to 1,000 lbs.
Which Buick has a third row?
The Buick Enclave is the only three-row Buick for 2026, seating up to seven, with a 328-hp turbocharged engine and 5,000 lbs of towing.
Is the Buick Enclave the same as the GMC Acadia?
They share a platform, engine, tow rating and assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan, but have different styling, interiors and trims. The Enclave offers the luxury-focused Avenir trim; the Acadia offers the off-road AT4.
What does Avenir mean on a Buick?
Avenir is Buick's top luxury trim, with upgraded materials, unique styling details and the most available features on each model.
Does Buick make a hybrid?
Not in the U.S. for 2026. Buick's small turbocharged engines are its efficiency option; the Envista is EPA-rated at 32 mpg highway.
Which Buick is best for a commute on Route 288?
For the lowest fuel and payment costs, the Envista, at 32 mpg highway. If you want AWD for icy mornings, the Encore GX. If you want the most power for highway merges, the 228-hp Envision.
Can a Buick tow a boat or camper?
The Enclave tows up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, enough for many small boats and pop-up campers. The Encore GX tows up to 1,000 lbs, and the Envista isn't rated for towing.
Who makes Buick?
Buick is made by General Motors (GM), which also makes Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac. Buick has been part of GM since GM was founded in 1908.
Is Buick an American brand?
Yes. Buick is an American brand owned by Detroit-based General Motors. For 2026 the Enclave is built in Lansing, Michigan; the Envista and Encore GX are built in South Korea, and the Envision in China.
What are the Buick SUV models by size?
From smallest to largest: Encore GX (small SUV), Envista (small crossover, longer and lower than the Encore GX), Envision (compact SUV) and Enclave (mid-size three-row SUV).
Is there a Buick dealer in Chesterfield County?
Yes. Haley Buick GMC Midlothian at 9831 Midlothian Turnpike is the Buick dealer serving Midlothian and Chesterfield County. Call (804) 525-9626.
Talk to a real person at Haley Buick GMC Midlothian
9831 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235. Sales Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm. Service and Parts Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-2pm.
Vehicle pricing isn't shown on this page; see current prices on any vehicle in our inventory. EPA estimates and towing apply to properly equipped vehicles; actual mileage will vary. Program benefits apply to qualified vehicles only; see dealer for details. Information current as of October 2026.