Buick's Latest Concepts Appear Remarkably Prepared for Production | Carscoops
Two concept studies were created at GM’s Advanced Design studio located in Shanghai, China.
GM Design recently unveiled two new Buick concept vehicles developed in China.
The first one is a compact SUV aimed at families, featuring contemporary design elements.
The second is a stylish crossover with a sporty wagon appearance and suicide doors.
Buick is experiencing strong growth in China, with steady interest in the Envision SUV, LaCrosse sedan, and GL8 minivan maintaining busy showrooms. Nevertheless, the design team remains committed to innovation, generating new ideas and enhancing upcoming models.
Two of these design studies were showcased on the General Motors Design Instagram account: one is a compact SUV for families, and the other is a sportier crossover wagon. Although different, both designs appear remarkably prepared for production.
GM's Advanced Design studio in Shanghai is responsible for both concepts, with one designed by Sangmin Kim and the other by Yixuan Feng.
The more conventional concept is labeled as “a fun, family-oriented premium Buick design study” centered around the theme of “driving in comfort.”
It features split LED headlights with futuristic internal graphics, effectively replacing the need for a traditional grille. Large bi-tone alloy wheels fill the wheel arches, complemented by glossy black trim and muscular fenders along the sides.
Thick C-pillars extend to a rear spoiler encircling the back window, where the taillights are integrated beneath the glass. It also boasts a broad tailgate and a sculpted bumper with a discreet diffuser. Despite a modest ground clearance, the upright front end, roof rails, and protective cladding give it an SUV-like appearance reminiscent of the Kia Niro.
While Buick has not provided technical specifications, the dimensions suggest this concept falls between the Encore GX at 171.4 inches (4,355 mm) and the Envision at 182.7 inches (4,645 mm).
The second concept is presented as a “small, expressive premium Buick design study” focusing on “driving pleasure.” Its design features an aerodynamic crossover hatchback or estate shape, complete with suicide doors and a split tailgate.
At the front, it presents an illuminated grille, narrow headlights, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors concealed within the bumper intakes. The forged aluminum wheels are adorned with shiny chrome accents, and the design in front of the muscular rear shoulders seems inspired by Lexus.
Additional notable features include a panoramic sunroof, flying buttresses, a sweeping rear glass, and reflective taillights. Overall, this model appears smaller compared to the 2024 Electra-L Shooting Brake concept.
What lies ahead for Buick?
Buick’s design approach is evolving towards New Energy Vehicles (NEV), and both concepts appear well-suited for either fully electric or range-extender configurations.
Though classified as design studies, they could easily be mistaken for production-ready vehicles, lacking any overly futuristic characteristics. Reports indicate that Buick is developing an electric subcompact crossover expected to debut before 2029, followed by a new generation of the Encore GX.
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Although still clad in camouflage, the production model bears a striking resemblance to the original concept.
The proportions appear nearly identical; the ID.Cross has short overhangs, a rounded front, and a slightly tapered rear that reflects the concept’s “urban-friendly” design.
The final version is expected to align closely with the concept’s dimensions, which were optimized to maximize interior space within a compact size: about 4,160 mm (163.8 inches) in length, making it shorter than the Taos in the U.S. and squarely within the subcompact EV segment.
Even while camouflaged, the outlines of the headlights and taillights appear reminiscent of those from the Munich exhibit, hinting at VW’s latest light-bar design. Although not visible, it’s likely that the three illuminated rectangles integrated into the concept’s black C-pillar have made their way to the production model as well.
The concept's quirky interior, designed to resemble a yoga studio on wheels, won't be carried over in its entirety, so don’t expect pastel lighting or Zen-garden textures in the standard version.
However, VW's newest compact cabin layout, featuring a larger infotainment screen and enhanced physical controls, should be included.
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The ID.Cross is based on the latest iteration of the MEB platform, which has been optimized for this new front-wheel-drive generation of small electric vehicles, including the ID.Polo.
The concept was designed with a single-motor configuration generating about 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW), which is a plausible target for the production model. Additionally, we anticipate that less powerful options will also be introduced to broaden availability.
Volkswagen did not disclose the battery size for the concept, but they indicated it could achieve a 261-mile (420 km) WLTP electric range, providing a good indication of the real-world driving capabilities we can expect when it debuts globally next year.
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Sales in the U.S. have not yet been confirmed; however, in Europe, the ID.Cross is expected to start around £25,000/€28,000 ($32,000) when it competes against other electric crossovers like the Kia EV2, Toyota Urban Cruiser, and its VW Group counterparts, the Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.
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Buick's Latest Concepts Appear Remarkably Prepared for Production | Carscoops
The two concept studies were created at GM's Advanced Design studio located in Shanghai, China.