Yahoo Autos Thought the Lexus LM Was the Most Luxe Minivan? Buick Just Said "Not Today" with GL8 Concept
Buick attempts to one-up the Lexus LM minivan with the extra-luxurious GL8 Avenir concept.
First introduced at the 2019 Shanghai auto show, the GL8 Avenir concept features diamond-patterned seats, two huge rear infotainment displays, and an expansive glass roof.
Unfortunately, it's just a concept, and only buyers in select Asian markets can buy the toned-down production model anyway.
Last month we couldn't stop looking at the Lexus LM minivan that debuted at the Shanghai auto show, but we just stumbled across a Buick van that makes the Lexus's interior look totally basic. Okay, we have to admit that the GL8 Avenir is indeed only a concept, and sadly, the production model has been significantly toned down.
The Buick's interior is set up much like the Lexus's but features even more comfortable-looking reclining chairs, airline-style headrests, and a nearly full-length center console with what looks like a champagne cooler to accompany the gold champagne flutes. Accoutrements like these wouldn't seem entirely out of place in a Bentley Mulsanne or a Mercedes-Benz S-class, so to see a Buick dressed to the nines like this is unusual.
The ivory and navy blue interior theme looks beautifully nautical and is punctuated by shiny gold detailing. Front-seat occupants can enjoy a fair bit of pampering themselves, with chairs that feature the same diamond-patterned stitching and what looks like a leather-wrapped dashboard and two-tone leather steering wheel.
The expansive glass roof is perfect for stargazing, a point that's driven home by Buick's press photos. A 12-inch infotainment display, a digital gauge cluster, and a huge 14-inch driver head-up display accompany the dual rear-seat entertainment screen to make the GL8 a well-connected executive minivan.
The discovery of the GL8 Avenir concept caused quite an argument in the Car and Driver online chatroom over which automaker did it better. One miffed editor pointed out that at least the Lexus is a production vehicle. Either way, we can't help daydreaming about living our best #vanlife in one of these deluxe minivans. Plus, since none of us live in a country where either the GL8 or the Lexus LM is sold, they might as well both be concepts.
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