2026 Buick Envista Avenir: The Brand’s Upscale Affordable Compact Crossover

Highlight: The compact Buick crossover mimics in terms of exterior styling many of the higher end German and Korean crossovers from BMW, Genesis and Mercedes-Benz. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,385 (Base MSRP): $25,995

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; forward collision alert; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; front pedestrian braking; lane change alert with side blind zone alert; and tire warning system

Automotive News Discusses The UAW Historic Contract Negotiations On 'Auto Trends'

Michael Martinez is an automotive news reporter.  (Photo Credit: LinkedIn)

This year could be dubbed as the year of the workers. Everyone from the railroad laborers to Kaiser Permanente healthcare employees to UPS workforce have stood up to their employers, demanding that they be fairly compensated, after years of sacrificing, as the companies they have worked for racked up record profits.

The automotive industry also joined the fight this fall. Since 2009, assemblers have made major sacrifices, saving 'The Detroit Three,' General Motors, Ford and Chrysler during the Great Recession. Automotive News reporter Michael Martinez talks to Auto Trends with JeffCars.com about the United Auto Workers (UAW) historic contract negotiations. Martinez, who is based in Detroit, has been covering the UAW extensively for the past 10 years. In an eye-opening conversation, we'll examine the pros, cons and more of the historic UAW Stand Up Strike. 

2024 Mazda CX-90 Premium Plus AWD: The Brand’s All-New Flagship Crossover

Highlight: A plug-in (PHEV) model is available.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $61,920 (Base Model): $40,970

Seating Capacity: 6-8 (depending on trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; AWD; hill decent control; hill launch accent; off-road traction assist; tailer stability control; rearview camera; rear cross traffic alert; lane keep assist system; a lane departure warning system; a blind spot monitor; and an automatic brake hold feature

Standard Equipment (Select AWD):  19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a three zone ventilation system; a leather wrapped gear selector; an illuminated entry system; a push button information system; a power driver’s seat with lumbar support; leather-like seating; and a 10-inch infotainment system

2023 Buick Envision Essence: The Brand’s Compact Crossover

Highlight: Buick’s stylish Envision is imported from China.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $40,695 (Base Preferred FWD Model: $34,795)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features:  airbags with passenger sensors; automatic emergency braking; forward Collision Alert; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System; a following distance indicator; Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning; a Tool Kit; Intelligent High Beams; a Rear Cross Traffic Alert System; a teen driver system; and HD backup camera

Standard Equipment (Base Preferred FWD): 18-inch wheels with a light charcoal metallic finish; 9-Speed automatic transmission; noise canceling technology; deep tinted windows; LED head, tail, and Daytime Lamps; single zone air conditioning; an 8-inch infotainment screen; cloth trimmed seating; rear and center armrests; carpeted floor mats; keyless start; interior ambient lighting; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a silver roof rack with cross rails; manual liftgate; heated power adjustable exterior mirrors; and body color door handles with chrome stripe

Acura's Jonathon Rivers Talks To 'Auto Trends' About How The Brand Has Found Its Lane Again

 

Acura's portfolio of vehicles (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

Jonathon Rivers joins Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, a syndicated multicultural automotive program, giving us a behind the scenes look at how the Acura brand had to find its way again, determining if it's a luxury brand or something else. Rivers, who is bilingual, gives us an inside peek as to the process the Japanese brand makes in terms of pricing, competitive research and the like when the company executives determine what vehicles are included in Acura's portfolio. 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Buicks, Chevys, GMCs And VWs Are Being Recalled For Seat Belt, Suspension And Other Concerns

1. Front Center Seat Belts may not be Secured

If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V792000

Manufacturer General Motors, LLC

Components SEAT BELTS

Potential Number of Units Affected 624,216

Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford And GM Combined Are Recalling Over 500,000 Vehicles

1. Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 318,381

2020 Buick Encore GS Essence: A New Compact Crossover

Highlight: Our adult bike was capable of fitting inside the compact crossover.

Test Vehicles MSRP: $34,115 (Preferred Model: $24,195) 

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system;  a rearview camera; automatic emergency braking; front pedestrian braking; a forward collision alert system; a following distance indicator; a lane keep assist system with lane departure warning; an automatic high beams; automatic emergency braking; a teen driver safety system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a compact spare tire; and OnStar safety system

Standard Equipment (Select): 18-inch wheels; a 9-speed automatic transmission; a push button ignition starter system; a start-stop fuel saving system; cloth seats/pseudo leather; manual adjustable front seats; a map pocket driver’s seat; a manual operated inside day/night rearview mirror; semi-automatic a/c; a cargo security cover; in-car WiFi system; 60/40 rear seats; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel; a capless fuel fill door; and a manual operated lift gate

2019 Buick Encore Essence AWD: The Brand’s Entry Level Luxury Subcompact Crossover/SUV

Highlight: The Encore shares a platform with the Chevy Trax.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $34,875 (Base Model: $24,195)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; traction control system; a back up camera; and a tire pressure monitor system

Standard Equipment (Encore): 18-inch wheels; a 6-speed automatic transmission; a single zone a/c; a push button ignition starter system; in-vehicle Wi-Fi; heated front seats; power front driver’s seat; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a leather wrapped steering wheel; and front seat passenger under seat storage; and a luggage rack

2018 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD: The Brand’s Flagship Crossover Receives A Makeover

Highlight:  The Avenir is a new top of the line trim that is now available on the second generation Enclave.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $59,540 (Base model: $41,995)

Seating Capacity: 7

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rearview camera; a stability control system; a tire pressure system; OnStar concierge service; a rear parking alert system; a rearview camera; and a compact spare tire

Its Shop Time Mondays: Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, Ford And GMC Are In The Hot Seat

If you have your 17 Digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), click here to see if there is a recall on your vehicle.
1. Temporary Loss of Electric Power Steering (EPS)

If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000

Manufacturer General Motors LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 1,015,918

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring: One Of The Last Convertibles Available On The Market

Highlight: It’s the first 2017 convertible to receive a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $37,990 (Base model $33,900)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rearview camera; a stability control system; a tire pressure system; OnStar concierge service; a rear parking alert system; and a spare tire

Standard Equipment (Base Model): 20-inch wheels; power heated front seats; leather seats; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a 7-inch infotainment screen; an easy rear entry system to the back seat; automatic level control headlight system; and a one touch power operated top

2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium: The Brand’s Flagship Car

Highlight: The LaCrosse shares a platform with its sibling, the slightly larger Chevy Impala.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $48,395 (Base Model: $32,990)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; rear camera; tire pressure monitoring system; a teen driver mode alert monitor system; Daytime running lights; spare tire; electric parking brakes; and GM’s OnStar

Base Standard Features: 18-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a remote vehicle starter system; a keyless ignition starter system; leather-like seats; power front seats; lumbar support driver’s seat; tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a leather steering wheel; Onstar system; in-car WiFi availability; automatic headlights; heated power mirrors; and fuel saving front lower grille shutters

2017 Buicks Rolling In Near Luxury Lane: The LaCrosse, The Envision And The Encore

Buick Highlights: The Buick brand, which is slotted between the Cadillac and Chevy brands, has delivered over 1-million vehicles globally during the first three quarters of the year, up 23 percent from this same time period in 2015. Just in the U. S. alone, sales are up 11 percent.

Ironically, during GM’s turbulent bankruptcy years, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer were all axed. However, based upon the near luxury brand sales success in China, where they rank as the second largest passenger car brand, it is quite obvious why Buick circumvented the chopping block.  So, with a slew of new products arriving for 2017, Buick sales should continue to rise.

Buick Ups The Ante With An All-New Nameplate

Buick has been on a roll this year, adding a number of redesign or refreshed models to its line up. The first came when Buick reentered the convertible market again with the all-new Cascada. Next, the brand  updated its compact luxury utility vehicle, with the 2017 Encore, and added a new midsize crossover, the 2017 Envision, which is slotted right below the top of the line crossover the Enclave. The Enclave is due for a major overhaul in 2018. 

And for the 2017 model year, a sleeker and more luxurious redesigned LaCrosse joins the line up, as the brand's new flagship.  

Its Recall Mondays: Chrysler, Jeep And Ram Are In The Hot Seat

1. MANUFACTURER: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NO. OF VEHICLES IMPACTED: 412,855

 

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade and RAM ProMaster vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.

Three New Crossovers Blast Into Chicago

Chevy Trax updates the grille.

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport updates the grille and enhances the tech capabilities.

Buick Envision adds its third crossover to the luxury brand.

GM's Engineer Talks What's New On The 2014 Regal And Regal GS with JeffCars.com (Video Interview)

A one-on-one interview with Todd Pawlik, program manager engineer for the Buick Regal. Pawlik talks with JeffCars.com about the new changes for 2014.

Buick Regal

Buick Regal GS

New York Auto Show Debut: Buick Tweaks Flagship Sedan

Just ahead of the New York Auto Show, Buick is introducing the refreshed 2014 Lacrosse, the brand's flagship. The LaCrosse offers new interior and exterior design cues, advanced safety technologies and enhanced in-vehicle connectivity. New front and rear styling, featuring signature wing-shape LED daytime running lamps and LED wraparound tail lamps.

Inside the interior is more contemporary, with new seats, enhanced materials, redesigned central instrument panel and console – and an all-new, available Ultra Luxury Interior Package. The cabin also incorporates Buick’s next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system, with intuitive controls and natural voice recognition.

Women History Month: Jenell Ross Becomes First African American To Lead Int'l Dealer Association

Jenell Ross, an Emory University graduate, continues to make history. Not only is she a second-generation automobile dealer, she is the only African American female to own a Mercedes-Benz store. The luxury import brand has been in the family since her dad became the first African American to acquire the franchise in 1979. Ross also owns a Buick, GMC and FIAT franchise, too.

Her most recent history making accomplishment continues to center around the auto industry. This feat includes taking on the role as the first African American (and the second woman) to serve as chairman of the American International Automobile Dealer Association. Last month she was elected to this position.