What Does the 2021 Buick Envision’s Air Quality Indicator Measure?
We recently reviewed the redesigned 2021 Buick Envision compact SUV, and two of the things that impressed us were its interior quality and occupant comfort in both rows of seats. Another way Buick aims to make the Envision’s cabin more comfortable is with an available air ionizer and air quality indicator.
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Optional on the base Preferred trim level and included on mid-level Essence and top-of-the-line Avenir trims, the Envision’s air ionizer is an air-cleaning technology that’s been used before by Buick as well as other brands, but this is the first time Buick has included an air quality indicator in the U.S. You can also tailor the response of the Envision’s climate control system based on outside air pollution and travel conditions.
The Envision’s air quality indicator uses a sensor behind the glove box that measures the concentration of particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller that are present in the cabin, according to senior design release engineer Bill Najm. These particles can pose a health hazard, according to the EPA, since they’re small enough to be inhaled and become embedded in your lungs.
You can see the current air quality inside the Envision in the multimedia system’s Air Quality menu, and you can also choose to have the numerical air quality reading persist in the lower right corner of the dashboard touchscreen next to the outside temperature reading.
While the color-coded numerical air quality value may look similar to the air quality information that’s common to weather apps, the Envision’s particulate reading is just one part of the Air Quality Index, which also measures other pollutants like ground-level ozone.
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In addition to monitoring particulate pollution within the cabin, the Envision’s air quality sensor works with the climate control system to keep cabin air cleaner; the sensor can activate, based on outside air quality, the climate control’s recirculation mode. There’s also a Pollution Control mode that engages the recirculate feature when traveling at slow speeds, like in heavy traffic.
Even though the Envision’s sensor measures just one type of air pollutant, the air quality indicator — and the associated measures the climate control system can take to keep cabin air cleaner — are still useful. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has meant many people aren’t idling in pollution-heavy traffic as often as they once were, but the Envision is ready for when they are again.
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