The Buick Envista is one of the better-looking compact cars on the market and offers an equally good-looking price point. Both factors should be enough to expand Buick’s customer base to include youthful as well as more seasoned buyers.
The Envista, along with the second-generation 2024 Encore GX, rounds out a quartet of utility vehicles from this General Motors division that includes the larger Envision and Enclave.
The Envista, which originates from a plant in South Korea (as does the Encore GX), uses the same platform as the 2023 Chevrolet Trax and is similarly sized.
The Envista is longer than the Encore GX by about 30 centimetres and it has 10 more centimetres between the front and rear wheels. This bodes well for rear-seat passengers who will get more legroom.
The Encore GX holds the advantage in cargo capacity whether the rear seat is upright or folded flat. Its slightly taller roofline compared with the Envista’s space-robbing fastback shape make all the difference here.
Both Buicks speak the brand’s latest design language, with larger grilles and winged-headlight designs. When viewed head-on, the two Buicks could be difficult to tell apart.
The Envista’s interior is as stylish as the exterior, led by the side-by-side eight-inch driver information display and the 11-inch infotainment screen. A flat-bottom steering wheel and sculpted shift lever also contribute to the premium look.
A single powertrain is standard across the three Envista trim levels: A 137-horsepower 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that puts out 162 pound-feet of torque. The modest engine is found in the Encore GX, but that model can be optioned with a 155-horsepower 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder with 174 pound-feet of torque.
It’s clear the Envista’s upscale looks don’t extend to more potent/luxury-oriented performance capabilities that competitors such as the Mazda CX-30 have (with up to 250 horsepower).
Fuel economy is rated at 8.4 l/100 km in the city, 7.4 on the highway and 7.9 combined.
Along with looking great, the Envista is decent value when it comes to content. The starting point is the Preferred trim that lists for $29,800, including destination charges. Buyers get automatic climate control, cloth and leatherette seat coverings and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The midgrade ST ($31,100) gets a blacked-out grille, premium interior trim and 18-inch gloss-black wheels with 19-inchers available.
A standard six-speed automatic transmission directs power to the front wheels. Note that the Encore GX offers all-wheel-drive and the Envista does not.
The premium-level Envista Avenir ($34,700) comes with a power liftgate, heated leather-covered front seats with power-adjustable driver’s chair, wireless phone charging and a “Black Ice” chromed grille. Avenir options include a power moonroof, remote start and rain-sensing wipers.
Interestingly, the Avenir also comes with a Watts Link independent rear suspension, which is optional for the ST but is not offered with the Preferred.
Standard for all Envistas is automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights. It costs extra for lane-change alert, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Not only does the Envista look great, but it provides an enjoyable driving experience, as long as you aren’t expecting overly exuberant acceleration from its pint-size 1,200 c.c. turbocharged engine. On the other hand, drivers are compensated with better-than-average fuel economy.
As the least expensive model in the Buick lineup, the Envista clearly breaks with convention in terms of its attractive fastback styling. But it’s the hatchback’s affordable purchase price that should help seal the deal with traditional and nontraditional Buick customers alike.
