Why Does the Envision Depreciate So Rapidly?
3 Answers
The key reasons for the Envision's poor value retention include rapid depreciation of new cars, relatively high repair costs, high fuel consumption, and a high complaint rate. Below is more information about the Envision: 1. Vehicle Positioning: The Buick Envision is positioned as a midsize SUV with ample interior space. The car features a powerful yet stylish exterior, making it an ideal choice for young drivers. 2. Debut: On August 28, 2014, the Buick Envision, an SUV model under SAIC-GM, made its official debut ahead of the Chengdu Auto Show. The Envision is equipped with a 2.0T engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. 3. Limited Millionth Edition: As Envision sales surpassed one million units, the 2020 Envision introduced a limited Millionth Edition, featuring exclusive custom sport packages for a more striking and personalized visual effect.
As a car collector, I believe the Envision depreciates significantly mainly due to intense market competition. When new, the Buick brand enjoyed a high image premium in China, but this advantage weakens in the used car market because newer models like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V continuously introduce updated technologies, attracting potential buyers. The Envision's initially high pricing, coupled with its relatively high maintenance costs and fuel consumption, becomes more apparent in the used car market, making buyers feel it's not worth it upon comparison. Additionally, the overall market trend is shifting toward SUV saturation and the rise of electric vehicles, with buyer preferences changing rapidly. This makes fuel-powered models like the Envision seem outdated, accelerating depreciation. This serves as a reminder to consider long-term value retention when purchasing a car—opting for more reliable brands can minimize losses. I recommend checking used car data platforms to understand historical price trends and avoid impulsive purchases.
I bought an Envision two years ago and lost quite a bit when reselling it, mainly due to its reliability issues that gave me headaches. Initially, it drove smoothly, but over time, there were frequent electronic system failures—like the infotainment screen often going black or the driver-assist features malfunctioning. The high repair costs weren't the only issue; it also wasted a lot of time. Used car buyers immediately lowballed the price when they heard about these problems. Although Buick has a decent reputation, the Envision's maintenance costs are higher than competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan, with parts being hard to find and expensive, which directly impacts its resale value. Add to that frequent price cuts and promotions in the new car market—new models quickly devalue older ones. The lesson here is not to just focus on how shiny a new car looks but to pay more attention to real-world durability test reports. After all, rapid depreciation equals significant hidden financial losses.