Buick Envision Preferred and Essence What Sets Them Apart

The Buick Envision Essence trim significantly upgrades luxury and technology over the Preferred, adding standard features like leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. It further distinguishes itself with advanced safety systems, such as blind-spot monitoring, for a more refined and secure driving experience.

Key Takeaways

• Preferred is the value leader: It provides core luxury at the most accessible price point.
• Essence is the feature-rich upgrade: It adds premium comfort, tech, and safety enhancements.
• Key differentiators are convenience and safety: Essence includes advanced driver aids and hands-free power liftgate.
• Audio and interior materials improve: Essence features a premium Bose system and perforated leather seats.
• Choose Preferred for smart essentials: Ideal if core Buick luxury meets your needs.
• Choose Essence for a premium experience: Opt for it if you desire enhanced comfort and technology.

Buick Envision Preferred and Essence: What Sets Them Apart

Let’s be honest. Car shopping can feel like trying to decode a secret language. You find a model you like—say, the sleek and comfy Buick Envision—and then you’re hit with a list of trim names: Preferred, Essence, Avenir. What do they even mean? It’s not just fancy words; each one unlocks a different world of features, comfort, and, yes, price.

I remember helping my cousin shop for her Envision. She was utterly torn between the “well-equipped” Preferred and the “nicer” Essence. Was the jump in price worth it? What was she actually gaining, or losing, with her choice? We spent hours poring over spec sheets, and let me tell you, the devil is in the details.

That’s why we’re here today. If you’re staring down the decision between the Buick Envision Preferred and the Buick Envision Essence, consider this your friendly guide. We’ll walk through every nut and bolt of the difference between Buick Envision Preferred and Essence. No jargon, no sales pitch—just a clear, honest look to help you figure out which one truly fits your life.

First Impressions: Where the Journey Begins

At first glance, both the Envision Preferred and Essence look like the same handsome SUV. They share that confident Buick stance and sleek lines. But look a little closer, and the Essence starts to whisper a few more luxury secrets.

The Preferred: Smart and Stylish Foundations

The Envision Preferred is far from a base model. Think of it as the incredibly smart, well-dressed foundation. You get 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lights, and heated side mirrors. It looks professional and polished. For many buyers, this is more than enough style to feel proud of in the driveway or the office parking lot.

The Essence: Elevated Details

The Essence turns up the dial on sophistication. The most noticeable upgrade? The wheels. You step up to larger, more distinctive 18-inch machined aluminum wheels (with all-season tires as an option). It also adds a hands-free power programmable liftgate. That means you can wave your foot under the bumper to open the tailgate when your arms are full of groceries—a small feature that feels like a huge convenience. The Essence begins to layer in those thoughtful touches that differentiate a good SUV from a great one.

Inside the Cabin: Where You Live

This is where the difference between Buick Envision Preferred and Essence becomes a feeling. Both trims offer Buick’s quiet-tuned cabin, which is fanthetically hushed. But the materials and tech tell different stories.

Preferred Interior: Thoughtful and Complete

Slip into the Preferred, and you’re greeted with a cabin that’s comfortable and tech-forward. The highlights include:

• An 8-inch Diagonol Buick Infotainment Screen: It’s responsive, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is your command center.
• Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control: Keeps the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers all happy with their own temperature zones.
• Heated Front Seats: A must-have for chilly mornings.
• A Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel: It feels good in your hands every day.

It’s a genuinely nice place to be. You’re not missing out on the core experience.

Essence Interior: A Step into Premium

The Essence answers the question, “What if we made it even nicer?” It builds on the Preferred’s solid base with notable upgrades:

• Perforated Leather-Appointed Seating: This isn’t just about looks (though it does look richer). The perforation aids in ventilation.
• 10-inch Diagonol Buick Infotainment Screen: That’s two extra inches of real estate for maps, music, and menus. It makes the dashboard feel more modern and immersive.
• Driver Memory Settings: A game-changer for households with more than one driver. The seat and mirror positions remember who you are.
• Power-Adjustable Passenger Seat: No more awkward manual levers for your front-seat companion. It’s a convenience that screams “premium.”
• Heated Steering Wheel: Once you’ve had one on a cold day, you’ll never want to go back.

The Essence cabin focuses on tactile luxury and personalized comfort. It feels more tailored to you.

Power, Performance, and Fuel Economy

Here’s some good news: under the hood, there’s no difference between Buick Envision Preferred and Essence in their standard configurations. Both are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and paired with a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with intelligent all-wheel drive available as an option on both trims.

This means the driving character is identical—peppy around town, confident on the highway, and surprisingly efficient for an SUV of this size. You won’t choose one over the other for a performance boost. Your decision is purely about features and comfort.

A Note on the Essence with the Convenience Package

Things get interesting if you add the available Convenience Package to the Essence trim. This package often includes a more advanced Adaptive Cruise Control system (sometimes with stop-and-go capability) compared to the standard cruise control. This is a major driving aid for highway commutes, adding a layer of ease and safety that isn’t typically available on the Preferred trim.

Safety and Driver Confidence Features

Buick packs the Envision with a strong suite of standard safety tech across the board, which is fantastic. Both trims come with:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam Auto High-Beams

This means you get a significant level of protective technology whether you choose the Preferred or the Essence.

Where Essence Adds a Layer

The Essence trim often includes or makes available a few extra sets of electronic eyes. Key potential upgrades include:

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Hugely helpful when backing out of a busy parking spot.
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert: Those little lights in your side mirrors that warn you of a car in your blind spot.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (as mentioned with the package): More than just maintaining speed, it can automatically adjust your speed to keep a safe distance from the car ahead.

While the Preferred keeps you very safe, the Essence can make you feel more confident and assisted in complex driving situations.

Making the Choice: Practical Considerations

So, how do you decide? It comes down to your lifestyle and what you value daily. Let’s break it down with some real-world scenarios.

Who Should Strongly Consider the Buick Envision Preferred?

The Preferred is a phenomenal value. It’s for the buyer who wants:

• All the Core Luxury: You want a quiet, comfortable, tech-savvy SUV without the frills.
• Budget Mindfulness: You’d rather spend that extra money on accessories, a nicer vacation, or just saving it.
• Simplicity: You don’t need memory settings or a power passenger seat. The standard features like heated seats and tri-zone climate control are perfect.

My take: If you see the car as a fantastic tool to get you from A to B in comfort, the Preferred is arguably the smartest buy in the lineup. You lose very little of the essential Envision experience.

Who Should Lean Toward the Buick Envision Essence?

The Essence is for the buyer who sees their car as a personal sanctuary and values daily tactile luxury. It’s perfect if:

• Details Matter to You: The feel of perforated leather, the larger screen, the warmth of a heated steering wheel—these things bring you joy.
• Your Household Has Multiple Drivers: The memory settings are not a luxury; they’re a time-saving necessity.
• You Want the “Next Level” of Convenience: Features like the hands-free liftgate and available advanced safety tech integrate seamlessly into a busy life.

My take: The Essence is about enhancing the everyday. If you appreciate finer materials and are willing to pay for conveniences that make life subtly easier, you’ll feel the upgrade every single day you drive.

Side-by-Side: A Quick Reference

Sometimes, you just need to see it all in one place. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the key differences.

Feature	Buick Envision Preferred	Buick Envision Essence
Wheels	18-inch Aluminum	18-inch Machined Aluminum
Liftgate	Power Programmable	Hands-Free Power Programmable
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Diagonal	10-inch Diagonal
Front Seats	Heated	Heated, Perforated Leather-Appointed
Passenger Seat	Manual Adjustments	Power-Adjustable
Steering Wheel	Leather-Wrapped	Leather-Wrapped, Heated
Driver Memory	Not Available	Standard (2 settings)
Key Available Safety Add-Ons	Standard Buick Driver Confidence Suite	Adds available Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Zone Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control

Note: Features can vary by model year. Always check the specific build for the exact year you are considering.

The Final Verdict: Two Great Paths

So, what’s the real difference between Buick Envision Preferred and Essence? It boils down to this: The Buick Envision Preferred is an outstanding, fully-featured SUV that delivers 95% of the Envision magic at a more accessible price. It’s the rational, value-driven choice that leaves very little to be desired.

The Buick Envision Essence is for those who chase that last 5%. It’s about the indulgent details—the feel of the seats, the convenience of memory settings, the crispness of the larger screen. It’s the emotional choice that prioritizes daily personal luxury.

There is no wrong answer here. My cousin, after our deep dive, went with the Essence. She said the memory settings and the feel of the interior tipped her over the edge. For her, the extra cost was worth the smile it gave her every time she got in. For you, the brilliant simplicity and value of the Preferred might be the perfect fit.

The best way to know? Get behind the wheel of both. Feel the steering wheel, program the seats, play with the screen. Your gut will tell you which Envision feels like home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the Buick Envision Preferred and Essence?

The primary difference lies in the level of standard features and luxury amenities. The Essence trim typically includes upgraded interior materials, advanced safety systems, and more technology options that are either optional or not available on the Preferred trim.

Which trim offers better value, the Buick Envision Preferred or Essence?

The Preferred trim is the base model, offering essential features at a lower price point. The Essence trim adds significant upgrades like leather seating, premium audio, and additional driver aids, which may provide better value for those seeking more luxury and convenience.

Is the Buick Envision Essence worth the extra cost over the Preferred?

It depends on your priorities; if you desire enhanced comfort, style, and technology, the Essence trim is likely worth the investment. However, if you’re content with standard features, the Preferred trim remains a solid and more affordable choice.

What are the key feature upgrades in the Envision Essence compared to the Preferred?

The Essence trim often includes features like heated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and a larger infotainment screen. Additionally, it may offer advanced safety features such as lane keep assist and forward collision alert that are not standard on the Preferred.

How does the interior quality compare between the Buick Envision Preferred and Essence?

The Preferred trim typically has cloth seating and simpler interior finishes, while the Essence trim upgrades to leather-appointed seats, soft-touch materials, and more refined details. This makes the Essence feel more premium and luxurious.

Does the Buick Envision Essence have more advanced safety features than the Preferred?

Yes, the Essence trim usually includes a suite of advanced safety features as standard, such as automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert. In contrast, these features might be optional or absent on the Preferred trim, emphasizing the Essence’s focus on safety.