2024 Buick Envista Looks to Entice Sedan Owners
Buick has taken the wraps off the brand’s latest offering, and it might be the manufacturer’s most important model.
Rarely does an entry level vehicle hold much sway within a brand’s portfolio, but with the new 2024 Buick Envista, that might just be the case. Essentially a replacement for the current Encore, the new Envista is a completely different product.
Not Quite a Car, Not Quite a SUV
Based on the same platform that underpins the new Encore GX SUV, the Envista is not an SUV, nor is it a car. It’s a crossover in the truest sense of the word. It rides on a wheelbase that’s roughly four-inches longer than the Encore GX and the Envista’s body is 11-inches longer overall.
This adds up to a vehicle that’s much longer and sleeker than the outgoing Encore. It’s more proportioned and premium looking, with a fastback design. Think of its styling in the same vein as that of so-called SUV Coupes. In fact, it’s a very savvy styling decision by Buick as there’s a large customer base that love the prestige look of SUV coupes but aren’t willing (or able) to pay the price premium for such a vehicle.
Three Flavors
At launch, like most Buick products, there will be three trims available. Entry level Envistas are labelled Preferred, while the mid-trim is the Sport Touring (ST), and top-of-the-line models wear Avenier badging.
Buick is heavily targeting current sedan owners with the new Envista who don’t quite want a full-fledged crossover or SUV. Pricing reflects this as the Envista is priced more in line with small premium cars than utility vehicles. In the United States, the entry-level Preferred trim starts at $23,495, while the Sport Touring (ST) begins at $25,195 and Avenir is listed at $29,695. Pricing for Canadian models is currently not available but expect similarly aggressive price points.
Some Familiar Cues
The new Envista features styling cues that were first shown on the Wildcat concept car and are incorporated on the new 2024 Encore GX. Sticking with brand themes, the ST features black trim pieces including black alloy wheels. The Avenir has silver wheels, chrome window surrounds, silver accents, and upgraded zero density taillights.
Regardless of trim, the Envista has no rear wiper. The body’s long rear overhang and abrupt hatch shape should avoid road spray from getting on the rear window. While on the topic of the rear hatch, the entire cargo door opens partially up the roofline line, creating a clamshell-like opening.
Single Powertrain
With Buick targeting traditional sedan buyers, the Envista only comes with front-wheel drive. The lone powertrain choice is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine making 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It partners up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Buick expects the Envista should achieve a fuel economy figure around 30 mpg of combined city and highway use.
Underneath the new vehicle, there is an optional Watts Link suspension system. It comes standard on the Avenir and is an available option on the ST. Both the Avenir and ST come equipped with wide 245/45R19 tires.
A Bit of Color
Buick claims the brand’s customers are more open to colorized interior accents than those from other GM divisions, like Chevrolet. This allows designers to add a splash of color to trim pieces. The ST model has a black interior with blue accents, like the stitching on the leatherette seats. The Avenir has two different interiors. The first is black with terracotta accents, while the other is jet black and features splashes of gideon grey. The Avenir and ST have logos embroidered on the head restraints as well.
The rear seat of the 2024 Buick Envista has plenty of rear legroom. There’s less real world headroom than found in the Encore GX, but adults six-feet in height and shorter should fit without issue. Behind the rear seat is 20.7 cu ft of cargo capacity that grows to 42.0 cu ft when the seats are folded.
Tech and Safety
Anyone who has been in the new 2024 Buick Encore GX will instantly recognize the interior of the Envista. There’s the usual 19-inches of combined LCD screens behind a single cover, with the infotainment unit measuring 11-inches on its own. All trims of the vehicle, even the entry level, include Buick’s QuietTuning technology to minimize unwanted noises from the outside.
On the safety front, every 2024 Buick Envista comes standard with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and more. Other optional safety tech includes lane change alert, blindspot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross traffic alert.
The 2024 Buick Envista will go on sale later this year.
Discuss this story on our Buick Envista forum
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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SOunds Like a Trax with a buick badge. It probably has the quiet tuning and 19's but this is Classic GM! Yes a turbo 4 pot would have at least drawn in a Premium buyer
Moving the wheels closer to the corners (an idea championed by the Mini) is what really sets this hatch apart. It allows for styling that pointy front and tapered rear for a svelte looking contour, very unlike your typical boxy SUV. And that sensuous long sloping roofline? Perfect. Proving once again that the essence of beauty is simply grace and functionality.