Buick holds the class distinction of being the oldest automobile in America and was the first to include turn-signal technology, so it is a fitting time for something new and different. General Motors has aligned itself with the world's second largest economy, China, to debut its export-import Buick Envision. Interestingly, the Envision was launched in China one year ago, raking in sales of over 140,000 units. Even in Buick-crazed China, that's damn impressive.

This was no litmus test for GM: It was a strategic alliance whose dividends would leverage a growing market shifting away from traditional sedan vehicles to crossovers and SUVs in the U.S. Despite being assembled in Yantai, China, Americans will be greatly surprised by the Envision's overall quality and level-spec that's in keeping with the patriotic, "bigger is better." The Envision will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that will produce 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission will handle the work of splitting the physics via a HiPer Strut front suspension and active twin clutch all-wheel-drive system.

Luxury is the cradle stone of the interior, which includes a tri-climate control, heated steering wheel and front-rear seats, (optional panoramic moonroof, cooled front seats and xenon headlights), Bose sound system with GM's excellent Onstar, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi supported Intellilink infotainment system, which includes four USB ports and Bluetooth accessible via the 8-inch touchscreen. The Envision will come standard with Lane Change Alert, rear cross traffic alert, StabiliTrak ESC, following distance indicator and optional collision mitigation braking. Sales are expected to begin in the second half of the year and pricing will be announced closer to that time.