It is not an absurdity.
Minivans in the USA are family haulers that can withstand toddlers and teenagers. In China, minivans can cost upwards of six figures, but there’s a cheaper option called the Buick . We are now able to walk around the luxury minivan and see how it packs a lot of luxury into a family-friendly vehicle.
Although the Buick’s styling might seem too extravagant for American standards, with all of the chrome accents, it is actually quite normal. The Lexus LM luxury minivans sport even more extravagant styling. With its corporate design elements and Buick-like face, the GL8 Avenir looks just like a Buick. The real luxury is found inside the vehicle, where six seats (a seven seat configuration is also available) provide a wealth of technology and comforts such as the heated and cooled third row seats.
This minivan is packed full of cup holders, large screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment display, capacitive touch controls and plenty of charging ports. Although the model is not available in China, it has a similar driving style to other Buick SUVs. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood provides a smooth and comfortable ride. It generates 233 horsepower (174 Kilowatts) as well as 258 pound-feet (353 Newton-meters), of torque.
A fully-equipped Buick Gl8 Avenir costs around $83,000. However, its rivals can easily exceed that price, reaching over $100,000 and even $120,000. The Buick is also larger. Minivans are not considered luxury vehicles in the US. However, luxury SUVs and crossovers have become very popular. Buick’s GL8 could have some success outside of China. However, its appeal may be limited due to the fact it is a minivan. Other automakers offer a wide range of luxury family vehicles.