It’s been a while since we tested a Buick. And the one we recently tested is certainly not a banker’s car or car for older folks as that long-time stigma was bestowed on Buick cars in the past.
Far from those misnomers as we were really impressed with Buick’s 2024 Envista FWD compact crossover. Envista is one of four crossovers in the Buick stable and slots between the subcompact Encore GX and larger Envision. All sized slightly differently and priced accordingly.
Envista has attractive styling that looks like no former Buick. Its coupe-like roofline gives a sporty, swept-back look. It shares the same platform as Chevy’s Trax that we’ll review in an upcoming column. And Envista has just the right amount of chrome trim for a classy, upscale, snappy look.
This handsome crossover is offered in Preferred, Sport Touring and top-line Avenir that we tested. Avenir comes with heated perforated leather seats, while the other two have leatherette seats.
Envista’s cockpit has two digital screens that Buick designers made look like one 19-inch display. The infotainment display is a vivid 11-inches diagonal while the gauge cluster is 8 inches. The infotainment display serves the audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Wi-Fi Hotspot, OnStar, climate selections, navigation, rearview camera and some voice commands.
Its HVAC controls are easy to operate and view. Some climate selections can also be made on the display. Add a heated flat-bottom steering wheel and Envista’s cockpit takes on a racy look.
The console hosts a wireless phone charger with receptacles for wired charging. It shares the console with the gear selector for the 6-speed automatic transmission.
Over on the large all-digital gauge cluster, it has a driver information display for alerts, various operating functions and features, in addition to vehicle speed, gear selection and fuel tank level.
Envista’s back seat is nicely padded and soft with good leg and head room for a pair of 6-footers. And since there’s no transaxle hump, three riders can be accommodated provided the middle rider has short legs.
Perhaps the only low point with the interior was that the shoulder belts couldn’t be adjusted up or down. As such, the belt would give me a shave for my short five-foot-seven height.
Envista gets its grunt from a small 1.2-liter turbocharged three cylinder that develops 137-hp and 162 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of an impressive 28 city, 32-highway mpg. This is with engine start/stop technology and when coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. At full-throttle, power is applied in linear fashion. And the engine is surprisingly quiet for a 3-banger. The powertrain has no problem moving Envista’s 3,115 curb weight.
Back in the cargo area where the liftgate opens high for tall folks, and with the rear seats upright, there’s 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 36.5 inches deep, 39.5 wide and 27 high. Flip the seatbacks and capacity expands to 42 cubic feet for 68 inches of depth.
Envista comes shod with Continental 19-inch tires that provide a smooth and quiet ride. With its short wheelbase, Envista is a breeze to park even in tight spaces.
Price wise, Envista Avenir carries a most affordable (in today’s car prices) base price of $28,600 nicely loaded with a host of safety features such as following distance indicator, remote start, forward collision alert, lane keeping assist w/lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking. When encountering any of these and others, the driver’s seat vibrates as a warning.
On the options list, Avenir’s Advanced Safety Package ($795) includes rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert w/side blind zone alert plus outside heated mirrors and rain sensing wipers that took the bottom line to $30,490 with delivery. That’s still a reasonable price for an eye-grabbing crossover. And it could be even more appealing here in the Snowbelt if it were available with AWD.
Envista comes with a 3 year/36K mile bumper-bumper warranty, 5/60K powertrain along with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, and first maintenance visit or whichever comes first.