With a range of only crossovers and SUVs in the United States, Buick is now betting on a completely different value than it was a decade or two ago. But in China, this American luxury brand has some pretty interesting products and one of them is the GL8 multi-purpose vehicle. This model is now receiving a facelift, which features an expanded portfolio of versions and bold new designs.
Starting with the aesthetics, the refreshed GL8 comes with a completely redesigned front fascia featuring a different grille depending on the trim level. The GL8 Avenir, for example, stakes a lot of chrome and a wide grille in keeping with the latest design trends in the automotive industry. The GL8 ES, in turn, has a slightly more restrained and sporty-looking front end.
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Depending on the tier, these minivans can be equipped with features such as LED matrix headlights, 18-inch wheels, and electric swivel seats that rotate out of the vehicle to provide convenient access for persons with disabilities. The GL8 Legacy is a safety-focused model with standard equipment including technologies such as adaptive cruise control, fixed lane assist, lane departure warning and automatic parking brake.
Another addition to the lineup comes in the form of a new family-oriented variant based on the GL8 ES, which has a special design for the rear seats that allows easier entry and exit for both parents and children. This model’s equipment also includes dual 12-inch instrument panels on the dashboard, electric sliding doors on both sides, electric liftgate and folding table, as well as what Buick says is a set of segment-specific self-healing tires. from Continental.
The automaker has been selling MPVs in the Chinese market since 1999 with more than 1.6 million units sold so far. There’s no word on the mechanical changes introduced with the facelift, which would likely mean there’s a 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
