The 2024 Buick Envista is nicer than it has any right to be

Article content

The new Buick Envista is here, and straight away, it’s quite unexpectedly pleasant. 

More than that, this new entry-level nameplate may actually prove preferable to one of its more expensive brand siblings. 

Article content

The Buick Envista is an all-new model based on the Chevy Trax. Priced from the low-30s with a small, reasonably efficient powertrain; stylish bodywork and cabin; and a more plush overall ride than the higher-priced Buick Encore GX, the Envista brings some welcome flair to what has historically been a dull, neglected category. 

The Buick Envista is powered by a small 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, this setup powers the front wheels only; as on its platform-mate Chevrolet Trax, all-wheel drive is not available. 

Though not particularly rich in power, the 1.2L proves adequate beneath a modest foot. Noise and vibration are more noticeable under heavier acceleration, but are unobtrusive in light, around-town driving. Mercifully too, GM has equipped the Envista and Trax with a traditional six-speed automatic instead of the sort of slushy, loud-revving continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is often found in other manufacturers’ economy-focused models. 

Article content

More important than its power, however, is the Envista’s ride. With a wheelbase 11 centimetres longer than the Buick Encore GX crossover, the Envista carries itself with a slightly steadier attitude. Ride is less bouncy and better damped than some of GM’s other crossover products, and it’s clear that noise, vibration, and harshness were particular points of attention in the product’s development. This all contributes to a graceful ride which may surprise shoppers used to this segment. 

The Envista offers a quieter drive than the Encore GX, with less road, tire, and wind noise distracting the driver when underway. Buick will point here to what its marketing people insist on calling ‘QuietTuning’ — essentially just your standard foam and rubber noise insulation regimen, along with some active noise cancellation (ANC) to balance certain acoustic frequencies for good measure.

Article content

Though that interior quiet is common across the Envista trims, the overall cabin experience is not. Preferred and ST trims come with plain black cabins, and simple, knob-controlled climate settings. A moonroof is available on the Envista ST and standard on the Avenir, but not on base Preferred models. 

The top Avenir trim, however, brightens the cabin experience with the option of lighter-coloured upholstery and finishes, aluminum accents, and different piano-black centre controls. Though we reviewers tend not to like piano finishes for their tendency to gather fingerprints, show dust, and etch when wiped, it must be acknowledged that these controls feel more luxurious at the fingertips than the usual hard matte plastic, and subconsciously cue a more upscale experience than might be expected at the price. 

Article content

Article content

Across all trims, Buick’s ‘luxury-handbag-inspired’ soft-touch dash materials, for instance, seem a positive step forward from GM’s plasticky past. Seating should be okay for around-town drivers and adult rear passengers will appreciate the extensive legroom opened by the Envista’s longer wheelbase, but shallow seat bottoms may fatigue some drivers on longer journeys. 

The Envista’s slippery profile looks sharp, but it also carries certain compromises. Though 28 centimetres longer than the Encore GX, the Envista leaves room for 200 litres less cargo. Also limited is rear visibility, which is funnelled down to a small rear window and rear-quarter visibility about as poor as that which has been panned in the BMW X6. Finally, the trendy absence of a rear window wiper will likely draw our and consumers’ ire as the first film of winter filth accumulates on Envistas’ tails. 

Article content

Present across all trims is a fresh infotainment system that offers clean graphics but leaves a bit to be desired. The Envista’s digital gauge cluster and central infotainment run out of a pair of 8- and 11-inch screens set in enormous piano-black bezels. In regular use and especially when their perimeters are highlighted under harsh sunlight, these displays feel small for their expansive black surroundings; it seems as though Buick designers hoped for a broad display like the 33-incher in the Cadillac Lyriq, but were denied the budget to equip one at the car’s price point. 

Buick delivers on other technologies where its screens fall short, however. Though just a base model, the Buick Envista arrives standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and can be equipped with wireless device charging as well. Also equipped are a slick follow-distance timer, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, forward pedestrian detection, forward collision assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Further equipped on Canadian models are adaptive cruise control, blind-spot indicators, reverse cross-traffic alert, and park assists. 

Article content

A power liftgate is available, but not standard from base. Shoppers should also note that Buick is not offering the option of 360-degree camera views, nor will the 2024 Envista offer GM’s SuperCruise highway driving assist. 

Article content

How efficient is the 2024 Buick Envista? 

The Buick Envista registers NRCan fuel economy ratings of 8.4 L/100 km city, 7.4 L/100 km highway, and 7.9 L/100 km combined. 

How much is the 2024 Buick Envista in Canada? 

Canadian pricing for the 2024 Buick Envista starts from $28,999 for the base Preferred trim. The Envista Preferred comes standard with a heated steering wheel and front seats, LED headlamps, 17-inch wheels, and automatic single-zone climate control. 

Mid-range ST models arrive from an MSRP of $30,299. Largely cosmetic, the Envista ‘Sport Touring’ adds 18-inch wheels, LED taillights, and remote starting. 

The top-trim Buick Envista Avenir begins at $33,899 in Canada. This trim equips larger 19-inch wheels, and is garnished with more metallic brightwork than the darker ST and base Preferred. A moonroof is standard, as are rain-sensing wipers, wireless device charging, and a slicker centre stack. 

Article content

What are the Buick Envista’s competitors? 

The Buick Envista is a conquest model, meaning that it aims to attract buyers from other brands. Its flatter, more sedan-like styling specifically targets shoppers moving on from their old sedans and stands largely alone in its price bracket. 

Sedans have largely vanished from today’s market, of course, so most of the Envista’s competitors take a more conventional crossover SUV shape. Within the stretchy entry-level premium bracket, these include the Mazda CX-30 and Lexus UX. The generously equipped Hyundai Kona is also available in this price range, albeit without the same ‘upmarket’ orientation.