Buick’s US Lineup Looks Very Different
Buick has quietly shifted to an all-SUV roster in the US, with the Envista, Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave covering the bases. There’s no full EV in the mix, and none of these models really stretch the boundaries when it comes to tech.
Over in China, Buick plays a very different game. The brand still carries significant prestige there, and the company has used that market to experiment with more ambitious products and interior concepts.
Case in point: earlier this year, Buick showed off a minivan with a tech-laden, lounge-inspired interior that felt more concept than production. The upcoming E7 SUV is the next step in that direction. Official photos of the E7’s interior show a cabin that’s worlds apart from anything wearing a Buick badge in the US market.
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A Lounge-Style Cabin Packed with Tech
Step inside and the E7 leans into Buick’s so-called “Aquatic Aesthetics” design language, borrowing cues from nature to create a bright, open space. The five-seat layout is roomy, and Buick’s floating-layer seats add to the lounge-like vibe.
All four main seats come with three-stage heating and ventilation, while the front pair add multi-point massage and full electric adjustment. Rear passengers aren’t left out either, with power backrests that recline up to 125 degrees. Most surfaces are finished in leather, giving the cabin what Buick describes as a 270-degree wraparound feel.
The front passenger seat takes things further, acting as a zero-gravity recliner inspired by the Eames lounge chair. Cushion, backrest, and leg support are all electrically adjustable, letting you dial in a near-weightless position with up to 120 degrees of recline.
The cabin isn’t fixed, either. It can switch between several setups, from zero-gravity relaxation to a so-called boss mode, and even layouts that turn the interior into a makeshift bed.
Rear passengers have access to a 15.6-inch cinema screen, while the sound system packs 20 speakers with Dolby Atmos, including overhead units and a dedicated driver’s headrest speaker. There’s also a rear table, plenty of charging ports, soft ceiling lighting designed to reduce eye strain, and a temperature-controlled storage box that keeps items between 36 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the outside, the E7 borrows cues from Buick’s Momenta concept, including split star-shaped headlights, a shark-inspired front end, and a roof-mounted lidar sensor for advanced driver-assist features.
Size-wise, the E7 stretches 191 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 66 inches tall, with a 112-inch wheelbase, which is close to the Buick Envision's.
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What’s Next for Buick
Under the skin, the E7 runs Buick’s True Dragon Plug-in Hybrid Pro setup, combining a 1.5-liter turbo engine with about 154 horsepower and an electric motor good for 221 horsepower.
Buyers can choose between 20.4 or 32.6 kWh battery packs, which translate to an electric-only range of about 66 to 104 miles. Total range is expected to top 994 miles on China’s CLTC cycle. The E7 also gets a continuously variable damping suspension that adapts to changing road surfaces.
The E7 is set to make its official debut in China later this March, with no report of the model ever coming to America.
Meanwhile, Buick’s near-term plans in the US remain more conventional. Instead of introducing a new EV right away, the brand is preparing to shift production of the Envision to America. The move focuses more on manufacturing strategy than technology, highlighting the very different paths Buick is currently taking in its two largest markets.
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