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Great Buick Models for Road Trips in Florida

Florida is a great state to take a road trip in, whether you’re going south to Miami Beach or north to the Florida Panhandle. It can take a while to arrive at your destination, though, so you need to ride in a vehicle that’s extra comfortable and safe. Buick makes many family-friendly SUVs that are great for weekend getaways in Florida. Here are three Buick models for road trips that you’ll find at Rivard Buick GMC.

Buick Envision

Luxury is king on the Buick Envision. This trendy SUV flaunts a chic, modern look that will look great in your vacation photos. Plus, it offers up to 52.7 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded flat, so you can leave the kids at home and take that much-needed camping getaway.

Buick Enclave

If you need to seat seven passengers, the Enclave is a great choice. This spacious SUV is the biggest model in the Buick lineup and offers three rows of seats for your children — and the grandparents to tag along! Plus, the newest Enclave can tow up to 5,000 pounds, so you can bring a boat or camper on your excursion.

Buick Encore GX

A stylish and affordable SUV, the Buick Encore can elevate any road trip with its abundance of technology. With the Buick Driver Confidence Package included on every Encore GX, you’ll have a suite of assistive safety systems watching over you and your family.

Before you take your next drive across Florida, bring your car to Rivard Buick GMC for a tune-up. And if you don’t own a Buick, now is the perfect time to trade in your car for a new one!

Differences Between the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia

The 2021 Buick Enclave and 2021 GMC Acadia are both reliable, upscale, midsize SUVs that are great vehicles for your family. However, there are some key differences between the two that may help you decide which family vehicle is right for your needs.

Powertrain

Every Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The GMC Acadia offers more powertrain options: a standard 2.5-liter engine that offers 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine that provides 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Efficiency

The Enclave’s 3.6-liter V6 engine earns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway¹. With the standard 2.5-liter, the Acadia earns 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Acadia’s 2.0-liter engine delivers 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway², while its 3.6-liter V6 engine earns 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway³.

Interior space

The spacious Buick Enclave can comfortably seat seven passengers and offers a maximum cargo volume of 97.6 cubic feet. The GMC Acadia offers slightly less room, with a maximum cargo space of 79 cubic feet.

You can find both of these family-friendly SUVs at Rivard Buick GMC in Tampa Bay, Florida.

¹EPA estimated MPG 18 city/26 highway FWD.

²EPA-estimated mpg for the 2.5L 4-cyl engine with 9-speed automatic transmission FWD.

³EPA-estimated mpg for the 3.6L V6 engine with 9-speed automatic transmission FWD.

U.S. News Names 2021 Buick Enclave to Quietest SUVs List

Driving a noisy car can be a real nuisance, and it can also be a safety hazard that prevents you from hearing important road noises. Luckily, many cars these days are built with quietness in mind. In April, U.S. News & World Report released its list of The 2021 Quietest SUVs in 2021. Included on that list was none other than the 2021 Buick Enclave.

The 2021 Enclave comes with QuietTuning technology, which is designed to filter out noise from the powertrain, the road, and traffic. To do this, QuietTuning uses active noise cancellation technology developed in partnership with Bose and Panasonic. The technology uses hidden microphones within the cabin to create a sound designed to filter out low-frequency noises such as body vibrations and acceleration. Additionally, the Enclave’s design incorporates materials designed to dampen noise, and the powertrain is designed to limit vibrations. Altogether, this adds up to a more peaceful and enjoyable ride.

“At $40,000, the Buick Enclave is pricey for a mainstream midsize SUV, but that extra money is well spent if you’re seeking a comfortable cabin that filters out road noise,” said U.S. News’ Steven Loveday.

That price tag also comes with options like tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, Smart Slide second-row seats to make the third row more accessible, and the Buick Infotainment system. The latter comes with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, Bluetooth® streaming audio, and an optional wireless phone charger.

Interested in the ultra-quiet 2021 Buick Enclave? Check out the inventory at Rivard Buick GMC in Tampa, Florida.

All-New 2021 Buick Envision’s Interior Praised by Autotrader

The team at Autotrader chose the redesigned 2021 Buick Envision for its list of the 10 models with the Best Interiors Under $50,000. The Envision’s cabin offers the kind of comfort and sophistication found in higher-priced luxury models.

Room to relax

With three passengers in the back, the 2021 Buick Envision still offers 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space for shopping or sports equipment. With the 40/60 split seat in the folded position, the cargo space increases to 52.7 cubic feet

Infotainment on the inside

With the latest in infotainment technology, the 2021 Envision keeps you connected. Enjoy your favorite music or stay up to date with podcasts and the news wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android™ Auto connectivity. You can even connect to your Amazon™ Alexa smart device for voice-activated control. Go for the optional nine-speaker Bose® audio system and it will feel like driving in a concert hall. The system is controlled by an 8-inch touch screen but can be upgraded to 10.2 inches.

Serenity on wheels

Buick’s QuietTuning™ lets you enter a state of tranquility in the 2021 Envision. Active Noise Cancellation and sound-damping glass, plus ambient interior lighting, create a sense of calm and serenity inside the cabin. Luxury touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel top off the design.

If you want to learn more about the award-winning Buick Envision, contact us here at Rivard Buick GMC.

Buick and Amazon Join In New Series of Ads

Buick and Amazon have partnered up in a new ad campaign that highlights the Amazon Alexa feature now available in four different Buick vehicles. When drivers get behind the wheel of a model equipped with Amazon Alexa, they can take advantage of the virtual assistant’s many benefits through the built-in infotainment system. This includes getting weather and traffic updates, turning on music, and even ordering a Prime package to be delivered right to eligible vehicles.

The extensive promotional campaign began in August, with ads running on a number of different platforms. In addition to the commercials, the campaign advertises another unique, collaborative effort. Buick now has its own special “utterance” that can be used to make a request of Amazon Alexa. Users can now say, “Alexa, tell me about Buick SUVs,” and receive information on the current lineup. This custom utterance is the first in the industry.

Although the advertisements obviously play up the Amazon Alexa feature available in select Buick models, they’re also meant to speak to the brand overall. Buick is a well-established nameplate, but the automaker has so much more to offer than many people seem to know. According to a spokesperson from the company, the spots are meant to provide a fresh angle of the Buick brand, showing that it’s a lineup ready for fun and action.

If you want to learn more about Amazon Alexa functionality within Buick vehicles, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Rivard Buick GMC.

Buick Pulls the Curtain Back on the 2021 Envision’s Interior

If you follow Buick news as closely as we do here at Rivard Buick GMC, you’re probably aware that the Envision is expected to receive a complete makeover for the 2021 model year. For the past few months, Buick lovers have only been able to fawn over the all-new crossover’s glossy exterior photos while awaiting more details.

The wait for more information is officially over thanks to a Chinese General Motors affiliate that recently released a number of gorgeous images depicting the upcoming Envision’s interior. Though the photos from SAIC depict how the Chinese variant of the restyled 2021 Envision will look, it’s safe to assume that the American version of the SUV will have a relatively similar design story.

Based on the pictures released by SAIC, the 2021 Envision’s cabin is extremely bright and airy thanks to wide windshields, passenger windows, and a magnificent dual-panel moonroof that bathes the interior in natural light. Other prominent features include a 10-inch touchscreen console seamlessly integrated into the dash, over 20 storage spaces, and piano lacquer accents. The luxurious Avenir trim comes with sophisticated quilted seats and a classy high-contrast black and cream colorway.

If you can’t wait a second longer to become the proud owner of a new Buick Envision, give the experts at Rivard Buick GMC a call to schedule your test drive of a 2020 model.

Buick Reveals the Redesigned 2021 Buick Envision

If you’ve been ruminating about trading in your older Buick SUV for a newer one, you should turn your gaze to the 2021 Buick Envision. It promises some pleasing modifications, from a revamped façade to a new infotainment system and a bounty of driver-assist tools.

“The 2021 Envision will be lower and wider, with premium proportions and striking styling designed to combine the expressiveness of a car with the practicality of an SUV,” said Helen Emsley, executive director, Global Buick and GMC Design. She also expressed confidence that the model would do well in the premium SUV market.

Autoblog’s Zac Palmer also loved the upcoming Envision’s European profile, especially the muscular contours and sharp edges. Buick continues the refresh with a new 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system. Amazon Alexa, Spotify, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ enhance the cabin’s connectivity features.

And no matter which trim level you go with, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that your Envision has eight standard safety systems to shield you and passengers from harm. These include the following technologies: Automatic Emergency Braking, a Safety Alert Seat, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Rear Park Assist, an HD Rear Vision Camera, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning

According to The News Wheel, the 2021 Envision is expected to arrive at dealerships early next year. In the meantime, stop by Rivard Buick GMC to take a 2020 Envision for a whirl. Browse our Envision inventory online from the comfort of your couch even!

GM Sees an Increase in Buick Encore Sales

If you are interested in driving a family-friendly vehicle with no shortage of luxuries, the 2020 Buick Encore is a great choice. Many drivers already recognize the Buick Encore as an ideal family vehicle, which is why this subcompact crossover had an impressive 22 percent increase in sales during the fourth quarter of 2019.

In the United States, 28,497 Buick Encore deliveries were made during the final three months of 2019 alone. Within that same period of time in 2018, 23,326 units were sold. Accordingly, the crossover saw a significant increase in popularity over the course of just one year.

Currently, the Encore is one of the top four best-selling subcompact crossovers in the United States. This segment had a 9.4 percent sales increase overall during the fourth quarter of 2019, though the sales increase of the Encore far surpassed that of the average crossover.

The Encore is a stylish and well-equipped family hauler with comfortable seating for up to five occupants. Its interior is surprisingly spacious with 48.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo room. With QuietTuning™ technology, the crossover ensures your rides are more quiet and relaxing.

We at Rivard Buick GMC in Tampa Bay, Florida, proudly offer the 2020 Buick Encore. View our online inventory to check out the models we have in stock today before we sell out.

Buick Encore and Envision Showing Increased Sales

As the rest of the automotive market struggles to beat an overall decrease in sales, the Buick Encore and Envision both sold significantly more in the last quarter of 2019 than in the same quarter of 2018. The Enclave was the second-highest seller for the year at 10,143 units.

SUV sales across the industry are way up while sedan sales are down, so it makes sense that the bestsellers in the Buick lineup were SUVs. In fact, 95.8 percent of Buick sales were SUVs. The 22.2 percent gain for the Encore and the 11.2 percent gain for the Envision show a market trend toward small SUVs.

Last year’s sales fall perfectly in line with the decision to discontinue the sedans in the Buick lineup. Since the automaker’s sedans have been routinely outpaced by its SUVs, it’s no surprise that Buick will soon move away from cars like the LaCrosse and Regal in order to give drivers what they want.

Soon Buick will focus entirely on premium crossovers and SUVs like the Encore and Envision, which are loaded with luxury features like Keyless Open and Start, heated front seats, and QuietTuning technologies that make your daily commute easier, whether you’re a parent, single, or in between.

No matter what you’re looking for, Buick’s upcoming all-SUV lineup has something you’ll love. To experience the automaker’s luxurious crossovers—including the best-selling Encore and Envision—for yourself, swing by Rivard Buick GMC for a test drive.

Buick Had the Most-Viewed Car Commercial of 2019

Last year, automakers spent nearly $5 billion on television ads and amassed over 416 billion impressions, making the industry the biggest one for both spend and impressions across all TV advertising. But the big winner was Buick, who had the most-viewed car commercial of 2019.

The spot, dubbed “Mistaken Identity,” generated 5.7 million TV ad impressions with an estimated spend of $31.7 million.

“Mistaken Identity” features virtually every model in Buick’s lineup, including the popular Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal GS, and Encore Preferred. It highlights the versatility of the lineup, from its utility to its premium style.

More than anything, the ad puts the exciting, new design of modern Buick vehicles in the spotlight — and clearly, this resonated well with audiences. Getting the most-viewed car commercial of 2019, or any year, is no small feat.

It may seem like a lot that Buick spent $31.7 million to get those 5.7 million TV ad impressions, but the automaker wasn’t even the biggest spender in 2019 when it came to advertising. The most expensive car commercial of 2019 cost $60.4 million. That Buick’s spot generated so many impressions with so much less is further evidence of the strength of the ad.

If “Mistaken Identity” has you curious about Buick’s modern lineup, visit Rivard Buick GMC to get a better look!