Key Points
- Buick introduces a new luxury MPV in China, called the Elite.
- It features a futuristic 8-screen cabin and advanced AI driver assistance.
- It’s powered by a hybrid and full-electric system, but not for the US market.
The US Could Use Another Buick Like This
Minivans are few and far between in America today. The Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and Chrysler Pacifica are the typical flag bearers of what was once the family car of choice. However, with the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the minivans have become a niche market – though a recent resurgence brings a small spark of hope for the segment.
That’s what makes Buick’s latest creation sting a little – a new, luxurious, and futuristic MPV called the Buick Elite, to be sold exclusively in China. It’s the sort of vehicle that could give American families a tech-savvy alternative to the usual suspects.
The Elite sits above the GL8 – Buick’s long-running and successful minivan in China – set to be a more premium and digital direction for the brand.
A Smart Lounge on Wheels
Unlike the GL8, the Buick Elite wears an all-new design language. The front end ditches the grille entirely, going for a smooth, closed-off look with crystal-like LED headlights that adjust through seven adaptive lighting modes – reminiscent of Buick’s SUV lineup in the US, populated by the Envista, Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave.
At 207 inches long and 78 inches wide, it’s roughly the size of a Pacifica, though its sharp, straight lines and full-width taillight design give it a more futuristic shape.
Inside, the Elite becomes a digital lounge. It features eight screens, including a 10.25-inch driver display, twin 16.3-inch touchscreens up front, a 21-inch 4K rear display, and a massive 50-inch augmented-reality head-up display. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s SA8775P chip, offering 72 TOPS of AI performance – enough to run multi-screen entertainment, games, and AR functions without breaking a sweat.
The second row gets two 5.5-inch control screens for seats and climate, while the Bose sound system and Nintendo Switch support make it feel more like a moving media room than a van.
Driver assistance tech is equally impressive. Buick’s new “Easy Drive” system combines LiDAR, radar, and 11 cameras to enable urban navigation assistance and memory parking. It can even pass through toll booths autonomously.
Power, Range, and the One Thing Missing
The Buick Elite uses the brand’s new “Zhenlong” plug-in hybrid setup, pairing a 1.5-liter turbo engine with an electric motor for efficient long-range cruising. A fully electric version will also be available, producing up to 268 hp up front and 174 hp at the rear, with an estimated range between 373 and 393 miles on a charge using CATL’s lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack.
The Elite will launch in China later this year as the flagship of Buick’s MPV lineup under the “Xiaoyue” Super Fusion Architecture. For now, it’s not coming to America – ironic, considering Buick is one of America’s oldest carmakers.
About the author
Senior Editor, Autoblog
Jacob Oliva has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade, covering industry news, price analysis, aftermarket modifications, and in-depth reviews of new vehicles. He’s the current managing editor of Autocar Philippines, where he also manages and produces video content. Jacob’s work has also appeared in outlets including AutoDeal, Motor1, Philkotse, Philstar Wheels, and CarBuzz, and he has covered major motor shows across Asia. He lives in Manila and is a recipient of the Henry Ford Awards for auto journalism.