Might the GS be the perfect car?

[D2R]

What did you think in detail of the Envision? I’m not sure I could get past the made in China thing but for the equipment you can get on it even loaded it seems like a decent value.

I absolutely hated the shifter on the new one (tested the Avenir).
It is shorter than our wagon too.
The bigger screen would have been a nice addition to our wagon though.
Additionally, the HUD, massage seat and ventilated seat should have been available on our wagon to begin with.
The 9 speed is strange, maybe it is just this specific vehicle.
Because it is made by the CCP, I would not want it even if given to me for free with cash on top of it.

 

[ready2fly]

What did you think in detail of the Envision? I’m not sure I could get past the made in China thing but for the equipment you can get on it even loaded it seems like a decent value.

I posted a detailed review of the new Envision since I had it for a week as a loaner. It was 2021 Preferred, but I did also test drive new 2021 Envision Avenir. It isn't bad, but it has somewhat of an old truck-ish feel to it. Overall it feels cheap to me, especially the ride quality when you drive it right after Regal. I would say new Envision feels like a large Chevrolet Trax or Buick Encore, very rugged, raw and plain. It would be excellent if it was priced around $5k cheaper, but higher Envision trims get right into Acura and Cadillac territory.
Everything changed when my local dealer finally got new 2021 GMC Acadia shipment a month ago. I tested 2021 Acadia Denali and I absolutely LOVED it. It has everything that Envision lacks: proper handling, smooth plush refined ride, better tuned engine, better interior smell, better steering wheel (Envision steering is too hard to hold for a long time). The best part? New Acadia is priced closely with the new Envision, it has 7 seats standard, it is made in North America (Mexico). Acadia does not look pretty, but it does a great job being a comfy everyday commuter with extra utility which is all I truly need.

 

[LLninja]

I posted a detailed review of the new Envision since I had it for a week as a loaner. It was 2021 Preferred, but I did also test drive new 2021 Envision Avenir. It isn't bad, but it has somewhat of an old truck-ish feel to it. Overall it feels cheap to me, especially the ride quality after you drive it right after Regal. I would say new Envision feels like a large Chevrolet Trax or Buick Encore, very rugged, raw and plain. It would be excellent if it was priced around $5k cheaper, but higher Envision trims get right into Acura and Cadillac territory.
Everything changed when my local dealer finally got new 2021 GMC Acadia shipment a month ago. I tested 2021 Acadia Denali and I absolutely LOVED it. It has everything that Envision lacks: proper handling, smooth plush refined ride, better tuned engine, better interior smell, better steering wheel (Envision steering is too hard to hold for a long time). The best part? New Acadia is priced closely with the new Envision, it has 7 seats standard, it is made in North America (Mexico). Acadia does not look pretty, but it does a great job being a comfy everyday commuter with extra utility which is all I truly need.

I was actually interested in the AT4 editions of the entire GMC lineup, but for this round, we’re we’re on a limited budget so we were looking at used. My intent of buying an SUV was to old us over until the Cadillacs Lyriq arrived. But now I love the TourX so much, who knows what the next vehicle might be. I might just keep this forever.

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

I wonder how different the 2021 Acadia is to the Acadia we got back in circa 2019. It was made in Tennessee, had the same 3.6 V6 engine as the ZB and was AWD. Seemed to me to be a pretty good vehicle which was selling well but never got the chance to establish in the market due to GM abandoning RHD vehicles.

 

[ready2fly]

I wonder how different the 2021 Acadia is to the Acadia we got back in circa 2019. It was made in Tennessee, had the same 3.6 V6 engine as the ZB and was AWD. Seemed to me to be a pretty good vehicle which was selling well but never got the chance to establish in the market due to GM abandoning RHD vehicles.

I sat in pre-refresh 2019 Acadia SLE and it was much worse inside. I don't know how much the ride quality had changed with the 2020 refresh, but exterior and interior changes made it almost like a whole new platform/model.

 

[D2R]

I posted a detailed review of the new Envision since I had it for a week as a loaner. It was 2021 Preferred, but I did also test drive new 2021 Envision Avenir. It isn't bad, but it has somewhat of an old truck-ish feel to it. Overall it feels cheap to me, especially the ride quality when you drive it right after Regal. I would say new Envision feels like a large Chevrolet Trax or Buick Encore, very rugged, raw and plain. It would be excellent if it was priced around $5k cheaper, but higher Envision trims get right into Acura and Cadillac territory.
Everything changed when my local dealer finally got new 2021 GMC Acadia shipment a month ago. I tested 2021 Acadia Denali and I absolutely LOVED it. It has everything that Envision lacks: proper handling, smooth plush refined ride, better tuned engine, better interior smell, better steering wheel (Envision steering is too hard to hold for a long time). The best part? New Acadia is priced closely with the new Envision, it has 7 seats standard, it is made in North America (Mexico). Acadia does not look pretty, but it does a great job being a comfy everyday commuter with extra utility which is all I truly need.

Pretty sure Acadia is still made in Spring Hill, TN. (Mexico made vehicles start with a 3 in the VIN.)
What do you think of the 21 Acadia's new shifter buttons/pulls?

 

[abizzle]

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t secretly want a GS. It’s just not in the budget this time around. I paid $22K for my 2018 Sportback Essence and the GS is running about $10K more. Having said that, I am thoroughly impressed with the 2.0L Turbo and 9-speed transmission combo. It’s my first turbo and I can’t get over how smoothly the power is distributed and how available it is. I can see myself keeping this car for a long time. Out of all the cars in my price range I feel like the Sportback gives me the most value for my money.

 

[shs92645]

I looked at the Envision primarily because of the fact that SUV design makes it much easier to get in and out of and I’m turning 76 in September. My main reaction to the vehicle was that it was dull. There is zero driving excitement and therefore it is not for me. The GS gives me a connection to the road that many cars are not capable of.
If you have followed my posts, you know that I work part time as a driver at Audi Warwick in RI. I drive everything from A3 to R8 and these cars have outstanding handling but excessive purchasing and maintenance costs. My GS has given me all of the fun without the costs!

 

[adam728]

I posted a detailed review of the new Envision since I had it for a week as a loaner. It was 2021 Preferred, but I did also test drive new 2021 Envision Avenir. It isn't bad, but it has somewhat of an old truck-ish feel to it. Overall it feels cheap to me, especially the ride quality when you drive it right after Regal. I would say new Envision feels like a large Chevrolet Trax or Buick Encore, very rugged, raw and plain. It would be excellent if it was priced around $5k cheaper, but higher Envision trims get right into Acura and Cadillac territory.
Everything changed when my local dealer finally got new 2021 GMC Acadia shipment a month ago. I tested 2021 Acadia Denali and I absolutely LOVED it. It has everything that Envision lacks: proper handling, smooth plush refined ride, better tuned engine, better interior smell, better steering wheel (Envision steering is too hard to hold for a long time). The best part? New Acadia is priced closely with the new Envision, it has 7 seats standard, it is made in North America (Mexico). Acadia does not look pretty, but it does a great job being a comfy everyday commuter with extra utility which is all I truly need.

Wife and I did a test drive spree about 5 weeks ago. Drove the 2021 Envision Essence and 2021 Acadia SLT-1 back to back. Acadia seemed more like an older wobbly SUV, and the Envision a tall car. In the end, a VW Atlas blew them out of the water for her in terms of driving feel, and now shares a driveway with the TourX.

 

[LLninja]

ał

Wife and I did a test drive spree about 5 weeks ago. Drove the 2021 Envision Essence and 2021 Acadia SLT-1 back to back. Acadia seemed more like an older wobbly SUV, and the Envision a tall car. In the end, a VW Atlas blew them out of the water for her in terms of driving feel, and now shares a driveway with the TourX.

we test drove an envision, an XT5, a Lincoln MKC, and a Cadillacs CTS wagon (non-V) and the clear winner was the TourX

 

[-Regal-]

Subjective I guess. For me I wouldn't be able to work on it, parts availability and quality would be a great concern (especially in long run), and stylistically it's not for me either (sedan, no thanks). I would rather have a '94 GS coupe in the right color. Better build quality from the getgo and little to break down, especially in terms of needless electronics.

 

[liuby33]

In general I just don’t like Korean cars. Despite all the fancy features they add, and the 10 year 100k warranty, their quality issues in the 80s still sticks in my mind. I know there quality is much better nowadays, but I’m still not buying a Singer.

I have the same feelings about appliances and electronics. So many people are enamored with Samsung and LG products. But if you were around in the 80s, you would never buy anything made by Goldstar because it was cheap crap. Lucky Goldstar renamed themselves to LG and made their stuff look pretty… lots of Americans are getting fooled.

I indeed didn't exist in the 80s so I know nothing about those crappy products in history. On the other hand, that's more than 30 years ago. I understand that your experience still sticks around but that objectively does not negate the quality of those brands today.

On the other hand, if companies don't keep up with the competition, they are going to fade out. After about 3 years on the market for both, it's 100% clear now that the Stinger GT has won the competition against the Regal GS. It's rated the best large car in Canada in 2018, it sold more, is still being sold, had better powertrain, better equipment, and better warranty. The Regal GS is a cool car and I'm happy with it, but my impression with GM seeing what they've done with this car is that they simply don't care.

The biggest mistake for any company, and this applies to any person as well, is to live on the glory in the past.

 

[liuby33]

^ And I've disabled my AdBlocker now lol

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Some people have blinders on, Chinese products are/were considered crap but if they own a IPhone they magically become ok LMAO.

Doubtful most owners know or ever cracked the seal on the products to see where and by who actually made them.

 

[abizzle]

Some people have blinders on, Chinese products are/were considered crap but if they own a IPhone they magically become ok LMAO.

Doubtful most owners know or ever cracked the seal on the products to see where and by who actually made them.

What’s the name of that big Chinese automaker? You know… the one that sells so many cars in the US?

While I’m waiting for an answer to the above question, let me say this. There’s a big difference between a smartphone and a car. The Chinese do not innovate, they steal. They are world class rip off artists. They can mass produce products very quickly when they have plans and specs.

 

[LLninja]

What’s the name of that big Chinese automaker? You know… the one that sells so many cars in the US?

While I’m waiting for an answer to the above question, let me say this. There’s a big difference between a smartphone and a car. The Chinese do not innovate, they steal. They are world class rip off artists. They can mass produce products very quickly when they have plans and specs.

Not to mention the levels of corruption in the Chinese government to maintain their power over their people. The government controls the content in news and websites that their people can see, they are actively covering up all the atrocities committed in their history, and people get killed to fix things. That doctor in Wuhan who leaked early info on the virus conveniently died of the virus. The Covid infection counts all of the sudden stopped mid last year when China declared victory over the virus. Initially they were counting all cases, then they started counting only cases where people were symptomatic, now who knows what they are counting (are they just killing people who catch it?) Closer to home, the owners of a local Chinese restaurant borrowed money from the Chinese government to move to a new location and expand. On a trip back to China both the cook (uncle) and the cashier/waiter (owner) were killed leaving his wife to fend for herself and two young children. We had to seek out a translator from a neighboring town to figure out what happened and how to help. Since China has billions of people, life isn't as revered as it is here in the states. <end soapbox>

I have no problem buying an iPhone as there really aren't many smartphones (if any) made here in the states. The difference is buying an iPhone will include the quality that Apple puts into their processes. But go buy a cheap Chinese clone of an iPhone with some obscure name, and sure it has a touch screen, the software looks like IOS, but it is almost always far inferior.

I would be tempted, but would think twice about buying a Chinese built CT6 Plugin or a Volvo (still built in Sweden, but owned by the Chinese). I will never buy something like the ZAP that was made in China

The ZAP Xebra Is A Pitiful Electric Car

In 2006, ZAP dipped their toes into the passenger vehicle market in hopes of planting a seed in the American market and becoming a real automaker.

www.hotcars.com

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

So a Chinese made smart IPhone is ok, but a Chinese alternator is bad? Sorry I'm not supporting Chinese manufacturers but it's how some people have a narrow view that if they own whatever from wherever all other manufacturering countries are suddenly bad or what they own is OK.

Vehicle manufacturers and the facilities are called assembly plants, components come from tier 1 suppliers and those parts are supplied from worldwide vendors. It's being naive that their vehicle doesn't contain parts from a country that somehow doesn't meet their standards. I've seen more than most people having been in automotive industry and I know where components come from as I was a supervisor for a 3rd party inspection company on site.

 

[LLninja]

Remember when Made in Taiwan used to be bad…now they are in the good side of the equation. Nearly all CPUs that aren’t Intel or Samsung are fabricated by Taiwan Semiconductor, especially since the recent trade war knocked a bunch of Chinese fabs out of the mix.

 

[abizzle]

So a Chinese made smart IPhone is ok, but a Chinese alternator is bad? Sorry I'm not supporting Chinese manufacturers but it's how some people have a narrow view that if they own whatever from wherever all other manufacturering countries are suddenly bad or what they own is OK.

Vehicle manufacturers and the facilities are called assembly plants, components come from tier 1 suppliers and those parts are supplied from worldwide vendors. It's being naive that their vehicle doesn't contain parts from a country that somehow doesn't meet their standards. I've seen more than most people having been in automotive industry and I know where components come from as I was a supervisor for a 3rd party inspection company on site.

I should have elaborated in my last post, when I said the Chinese don’t innovate. The iPhone isn’t a good product because the Chinese assembled it or because Chinese components are superior. It’s a good product because Apple makes sure that all components meet their performance and quality specs. Apple doesn’t rely on Chinese innovation. They rely on China’s cheap labor, relaxed labor laws, and favorable trade incentives to help control manufacturing costs. All Apple wants is someone who can repeat the same process over and over for the least amount of money.

When you buy a Chinese product from a Chinese company, what you‘re really buying is an inferior replica of a good product, and it’s made with inferior raw materials, less oversight and even less quality control. It’s the same reason why I know every Harbor Freight tool will eventually fail.

 

[FavaBean]