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Buick Velite 6 MAV is the brand's first all-electric vehicle

Buick is making a big splash at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show. It just debuted the brand's first all-electric vehicle, dubbed the Velite 6 MAV, which is a production version of the concept we saw a year ago. The vehicle is reportedly built on a new platform GM developed with China's SAIC and will be sold in China. This platform uses a "new-generation pure electric drive system," but it's not based on the new electric vehicle platform GM said is going to underpin new electric cars in the U.S. starting in 2021. Consumers may not want it here anyways. The electric motor makes 114 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. It has a "city" electric driving range of 187 miles, but Buick doesn't quote any numbers as they would pertain to our EPA rating system. That's plenty of range for most folks, but the lack of power would be a tough sell here. Buick calls this thing an MAV, which stands for multi-activity vehicle. It's tough to put a car type on it, because it borrows elements from several different styles. We'll just distill it to a mash-up between a wagon and a crossover, sort of like the Subaru Outback. At least it appears utilitarian. Buick says that it costs about $25,000 after all the Chinese government subsidies for an electric vehicle have been applied. The goal here is to give the Buick-hungry Chinese market an electric option, and this doesn't look half bad. GM is even entering into a car-sharing venture to deploy 5,000 Velite 6s with EVCARD (car sharing company) into strategic areas. Those will reportedly be put into operation on April 28 this year.

2025 Buick Enclave teased with Wildcat EV styling language

We’ve seen spy photos both inside and outside the 2025 Buick Enclave, and now Buick is offering the first official look at its three-row SUV with this new teaser. The tease comes in the form of sketches, and Buick appears to be following a similar format as it has with other recent vehicles. Despite there still not being any EVs in the lineup, its new gasoline-powered cars are taking on styling elements pioneered by the Buick Wildcat EV Concept. ThatÂ’s seen in the shape of the running lights, the low and wide grille and the sculpting of the lower front bumper. “With this first glimpse of the next-generation Enclave, the flagship of our lineup, weÂ’re continuing to lead with design, technology and BuickÂ’s unique premium persona,” says Duncan Aldred, VP of Buick and GMC. The sketches of the Enclave all depict a car that looks more aggressive and outwardly edgy than the spy shots have shown so far, which isnÂ’t a total surprise given the propensity of designersÂ’ sketches to exaggerate certain elements of a car. That said, it gives us some hope that the new Enclave will really pop when Buick reveals it along with features and pricing “later this year.”  Related video:

Buick Envista Luggage Test: How much cargo space?

First, I am well aware that there is an inflatable hearse on my lawn, which is also haunted. Just go ahead and get used to that background for a few weeks.  Second, the 2024 Buick Envista is a great car! Easily the most surprising thing I've driven this year, and although I'll go into everything else in a full review coming soon, the cargo area contributes to that general sense of pleasant surprise. The specs say it has 20.7 cubic-feet of space, which would be consistent with the subcompact SUV segment it competes with on price (even if it's more comparable to a compact in terms of length). Let's see how that amount translates into actual stuff. At first look, I was not expecting good things. Yes, its ample length is pretty indicative of a compact SUV, but the height is nowhere close. With the rigid cargo cover in place, it basically looks like a trunk -- but more on that cover in a moment.  Unlike most subcompact and compact SUVs, the Envista does not offer a dual level cargo floor that adds extra cargo space while still making a fold-flat back seat possible. In other words, Buick is clearly leaving some cubic-feet on the table here. This cover would be of the gigantic, rigid, nowhere-to-keep-it-in-the-car, hatchback variety. I am not a fan, especially for the Envista. You're about to see why. Bring on the bags. As with every Luggage Test, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D). That would be the three biggest bags, but that's all you're fitting. I tried to dislodge the cover and let it rest on top, but nope, liftgate wouldn't close. At least the middle bit of the cargo cover has that raised middle bit that perfectly wrapped around my big blue bag. Without that, this result would've been even worse.  So, if you were picking up someone from the airport, they had more bags than this and you forgot to remove the cargo cover, you'd be in trouble. If, however, you remember to chuck the cargo cover ... Holy cow, all the bags fit!  I was genuinely surprised by this result. The Tetris formation is a little weird, but it wasn't hard to fit everything in here.