Look at the 2024 Buick Envista and you’ll see an all-new crossover with a sporty fastback roofline, gently sloping hood, and cool nickel-plated wheels. But the model is more than that for Buick.
It’s part of a new trend, a new era for the brand that was born in 1903 with the two-cylinder Model B. The Envista’s design was inspired by Buick’s new Wildcat EV concept, unveiled two years ago. Expect more models to bear similar styling cues. The brand from General Motors is aiming for the stars this time — even the Buick logos were redesigned.
“We’re bringing life back to Buick design,” GM president Mark Reuss told the automotive media in the spring.
Folks so far are onboard: Some 10,000 models were sold in the first quarter of this year. Buick is now an all-SUV brand (imagine that, Roadmaster fans), and reports that sales overall are up 16.4% in the first quarter. That follows an annual sales jump last year of 61% over 2022.
The subcompact Envista is the least-expensive Buick and one of the lowest-priced in the segment. But it retains a premium look, especially in the top-line Avenir trim. It has a wide stance, thin-wing LEDs up front and a broad mesh grille below. Its coupe-like profile rejects the boxy rear concept and finishes instead with a sweeping roofline.
Now don’t be fooled by its streamlined look. Envista’s target crowd is younger urbanites looking for function, ease of driving and parking. It’s not fast, not even especially nimble, and it doesn’t offer an all-wheel-drive option. So, off-roaders, catch ya later.
The sole powertrain is a thrifty 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. That torque is available across a broad range of 2,000 to 6,000 rpm so there’s good pull on the highway, though its passing punch is lightweight.
The little engine works with a six-speed automatic transmission which could benefit from a couple more gears as it sometimes takes time hunting for the right one.
The front-wheel-drive Envista skips to 60 mph in a casual 8.7 seconds, but it feels quick enough around town. It gets lazier to the quarter-mile pole at around 17 seconds.
Steering is responsive and light enough for easy parking into tight spaces, and braking is firm and confident. A Watts link rear suspension provides a smooth and comfortable ride, taming the rough dips and bumps on the road. While handling is short of sporty, Envista is well controlled on corners with only modest body lean.
The EPA estimates 3.3 gallons get 100 miles with fuel economy figures of 28 mpg city, 32 highway, for a combined 30 mpg.
Inside the Avenir is a handsome cabin trimmed in soft-touch and textured materials, and piano-black plastic accents. Quilted leather seats are detailed with contrast stitching and piping. “Avenir” is embroidered into the headrests to further set it apart.
Front seats are heated, roomy and well-cushioned. The driver gets eight-way power adjustments with lumbar settings, while the passenger seat offers four-way manual adjustment.
In the rear, knee and leg room is 38.7 inches, says Buick, and is good even for adults. Six-footers were fine with the head room, too, in spite of the sloping roofline. A flat floor adds comfort for a smaller third passenger in the middle.
There is unobstructed visibility in all directions — even to the sky with an available moonroof ($795). The ride is quieter than expected at this price point. Credit goes to Buick’s “QuietTuning” group which includes laminated glass, acoustic insulation materials in the dash and doors, and active noise cancellation via the six-speaker audio system.
Behind a heated, flat-bottom steering wheel is a simple 8-inch gauge cluster which could use an extra dose of data. It’s one of two digital displays merged into one wide screen, the other an
11-inch touchscreen infotainment display compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and has a Wi-Fi hotspot.
By the way, most of the features in the upper-scale Avenir are available as options on the Preferred and Sport Touring trims, so you could save a couple of shekels and do the add-ons.
Cargo space is smallish for the segment, even less than Envista’s cousin, the Chevy Trax. But it’s adequate for most duties at 20.7 cubic feet in the rear,
42 cubes with the rear 60/40 split seat folded down. And there’s some flat space left over in the under-floor tire compartment — why didn’t they give the cubes to the cargo area above?
Buick’s standard safety pack includes forward collision alert, lane-keep alert and lane-depart warning, emergency braking and front pedestrian braking. An advanced safety package ($795 option) includes adaptive cruise control, lane-change and blind-zone alerts and rear cross-traffic alert. For the parking-challenged, rear park assist is only an extra $145.
Younger buyers looking to enter the near-luxury class with an easy-driving, quiet crossover at a low price point should give a look to the Envista. They would be riding a legendary nameplate charting a new course.
Barry Spyker was the automotive editor and columnist for the Miami Herald
MSRP: $28,600
As tested: $31,430 (Includes Advanced Safety Package, $795; moonroof, $795; rear park assist, $145; destination fee of $1,085)
What’s all the excitement about? All-new entry crossover has smart looks, quiet, handsome cabin among lowest prices in subcompact segment
Powertrain: 1.2 liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine produces 137 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque; mated to 6-speed automatic transmission
How’s the performance? Acceleration to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, quarter-mile in 17. Watts line rear suspension provides smooth ride, competent handling
Fuel economy: Impressive with EPA-estimated 32 mpg highway, 28 city, for 30 mpg combined
