Coupe-style SUVs are all the rage, and Buick, the manufacturer of stodgy semi-luxurious crossovers, hopes to join in on the fun with the 2024 Buick Envista. The Envista will compete with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos, but with a more sleek appearance. If you are hoping for sporty handling or eye-popping acceleration, we would suggest you seek elsewhere. The Envista is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 136 horsepower and a six-speed automated transmission. Because this crossover is designed to navigate mall parking lots rather than rocks, only front-wheel drive is available. The Envista’s starting price of less than $25,000 includes features including an 8.0-inch digital gauge display, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, and an 11.0-inch touchscreen entertainment system. The Envista is at the entry-level end of the Buick portfolio, along with the Encore GX and Envision SUVs.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Low starting price | No all-wheel drive | |
| Roomy seating space | Small cargo area | |
| Good fuel economy | ||
| Cushioned ride | ||
What’s New for 2024
This summer, the brand-new Buick Envista will be offered for purchase as a vehicle with the 2024 model year.
Pricing and Trims
The entry-level Preferred grade of the 2024 Buick Envista starts at $23,495 and includes standard equipment such as an 11-inch touch screen and forward automated emergency braking. The Sport Touring ($25,195) option includes visual upgrades such as ST emblems and black exterior trim. The highest Avenir model ($29,695) comes almost completely equipped, with leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel, among other things.
The Avenir variant has beautiful nickel-finished 19-inch wheels, a mesh grille, and other sophisticated aesthetic features that make it appear far more costly than its price. Unfortunately, no Envista trim level offers all-wheel drive or a more powerful engine.
Engine
The turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine in the 2024 Buick Envista provides 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard. The newest iteration of this engine—a previous version was available on other Buicks—has fewer components and is lighter than the previous version, which improves handling stability and fuel efficiency slightly.
This low power output may appear to be a formula for a slowpoke, yet it feels acceptable in real-world driving. After an initial lag, the Envista zips about town, and it has the power to get up to highway speeds and pass other vehicles. According to Buick, the sprint from zero to 60 mph takes around 9 seconds. The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly, and it keeps the three-cylinder engine’s thrum to a minimum when cruising. Expect a second or two before the vehicle’s transmission shifts down to provide the power your right foot needs. There is also no sport mode to spice things up. However, when driving about town, the transmission switches in the distance unobtrusively.
Ride and Handling
Despite its little stature, the Envista handles it with the grace that drivers have come to expect from the Buick name. The suspension is well-damped, and it absorbs the sting of bumpy pavement, resulting in a nice and smooth ride. The steering is relatively swift, making it simple to maneuver in tight spaces, and the brakes are powerful. When going around corners at greater speeds, the Envista displays some body lean, but it isn’t extreme, and the tires provide a comforting grip. Road and wind noise are low, but the small engine makes its presence clearly felt when it ramps up to full power.
Interior
When you start digging around within Envista, the discount pricing becomes more credible. On the one hand, the cabin is well-styled, with finely textured materials on the dashboard and some soft-touch surfaces up front. However, the majority of the other portions are trimmed with harsh plastics, and the switchgear seems cheap, detracting from the upmarket ambiance. Buick, on the other hand, has done an outstanding job of minimizing road and wind noise to a minimum. The inside is delightfully silent. The inside materials aren’t luxurious, but when compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Buick more than holds its own. It also has a plethora of convenience features and attractive tech gadgets, such as a huge glass panel on the dashboard that holds both the digital gauge display and the touchscreen.
With the rear seats folded, the Envista offers 20.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded. There’s adequate capacity for carry-on baggage and the occasional bulky item, but almost every other small SUV (and many subcompact SUVs) has greater storage space. A manual liftgate is normal, while a motorized liftgate is optional. Front seats are manually adjustable and have cloth upholstery as standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a heated steering wheel are among the available options.
The front seating is well cushioned, and tall drivers and passengers may stretch out comfortably. The outward view is also excellent in all directions. Adults of medium height may sit comfortably in the second row, with plenty of knee and legroom. Because of the sloping roofline, rear headroom is limited, but it’s still adequate for 6-footers.
Infotainment
The 2024 Envista has the brand’s Ultrawide infotainment display, which incorporates an 11-inch touch screen and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster onto the same panel. This design is elegant, and despite the grainy images, the system is simple to operate. The menu layout is intuitive, the touch screen reacts rapidly to inputs, and the volume and temperature controls include physical buttons, making these settings simple to modify.
Standard infotainment features: an 11-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, HD Radio and a Wi-Fi hot spot
Available infotainment features: wireless device charging
Additional standard features: an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry and push-button start
Other available features: remote start and a moonroof
Fuel Economy
The EPA estimates the 2024 Envista gets 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the interstate, which is decent for a compact SUV. Visit the EPA’s website for more information on the Envista’s fuel efficiency.
Safety
All Envista models include a full suite of driver-assist systems, including automatic high-beam headlights and automated emergency braking. More sophisticated technology is a possibility. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) websites for additional information on the Envista’s crash-test results. The following are important safety features:
- Automatic emergency braking is standard.
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance is standard.
- Adaptive cruise control is available.
Warranty
Buick’s basic warranty package is comparable to that of many of the Envista’s leading competitors, but it pales in contrast to the Hyundai Kona’s plans, which include significantly longer periods as well as three years of complimentary regular maintenance.
- Three years, or 36,000 miles, is the length of the limited warranty.
- The powertrain warranty is valid for five years or 60,000 miles.
- The initial visit includes complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Competitive Cars
Buick Envista vs. Chevrolet Trax
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact SUV, but it shares its chassis with the Envista, so they share a lot, from three-cylinder engines and front-wheel-drive-only layouts to electronics and safety features. The distinctions are what truly stand out. The Envista is a few inches longer and has a smoother coupe-like roofline, while the boxier Trax offers more luggage room and costs less ($20,400). The choice between these two will almost certainly come down to style and pricing.
Buick Envista vs. Buick Encore GX
The Buick Encore GX is another Envista brother, but outside its familiar design, the GX provides almost everything. It boasts a larger luggage room, a more powerful engine choice, all-wheel drive available, and a greater range of options, including technologies like a surround-view camera system and hands-free park assist. The caveat is that the Encore GX is more expensive, starting at $25,600 and going higher from there. Again, your decision may be influenced by price or personal preference.
