The Buick GL8 is a China-only premium MPV produced by the General Motors–SAIC joint enterprise since 2016 (third generation). Today, a new luxury trim called Avenir was announced for the model.
The GL8 Avenir comes based on the 2020 facelift version of the minivan and is virtually identical to its concept predecessor shown during the Auto Shanghai 2019 (see the video for details). The mirror housings are slightly different, and so are the bumpers, but that is about it. The car still measures 5,219 millimeters (17.12 feet) long with a wheelbase spanning 3,088 mm (10.13 ft.). The interior is also reminiscent of the concept car, with its digital dash panel combined with the infotainment display, premium materials used throughout, and only four seats inside (2+2). The regular GL8 Avenir is a seven-seater (2+2+3).
The rear seats look like they could have power adjustment and massage functions, but this remains to be seen. Options may include entertainment screens for the rear sitters, but we wouldn’t expect a partitioning wall like the one in the Lexus LM.
The Avenir trim comes powered by the same old 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine. The 2020 facelift drops the output across the entire range from 260 hp (194 kW) to 230 hp (172 kW), reportedly over environmental concerns. A six-speed automatic transmission sends the momentum to the front axle, and AWD is not available.
According to reports from China, the new Buick GL8 Avenir will be priced at 600,000 CNY. The pre-facelift seven-seater costs much lower at 449,900 CNY. Both are still substantially cheaper than the Lexus LM Hybrid, which begins from 1,166,000 CNY for a seven-seat version and 1,466,000 CNY for a four-seat one.