5 Thoughts About the 2024 Buick Envista
Author:
Scott Hinderer.
It’s always fun to drive an all-new model and get behind the wheel with little to no expectations or preconceived notions based on history. This time around, it’s the 2024 Buick Envista. Specifically, it’s the Sport Touring trim in Sunset Red (more orangey, really) Metallic with every available package. It includes a set of larger 19-inch gloss-black wheels, pretty much power everything, adaptive cruise control, moonroof, and much more. The Envista ST has a base price of $24,100. After adding all the goodies, the premium paint fee, and a $1,095 destination charge, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a loaded ST is $29,070, so you’re all in for under $30K. That’s not bad.
The primary differences between ST and top-spec Avenir seem primarily cosmetic. Choosing between the two requires a preference for gloss-black or satiny nickel trims. The most substantial upgrades in the Avenir are perforated leather seats and turn indicators in the side mirrors; otherwise, they appear identical. A more detailed breakdown of the trims is linked below this review. Here are my main takeaways after a few days spent with the 2024 Buick Envista.
Thought 1: Hold Your Horses
It’s not to say the Envista runs on molasses, but it looks way faster and sportier than maybe it has a right. When you scan the spec sheet, prepare to be underwhelmed at the 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, mustering 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. However, driving it around the Atlanta Motor Speedway, er, Perimeter (see: I-285), during rush hour, I never felt overwhelmed by the jockeying horde of desperate commuters. The turbocharger gave the Envista all the zip it needed to merge seamlessly from the on-ramp or pass any lagging traffic I approached from behind.
Thought 2: In a Class of Its Own at This Price Point
The Envista joins a growing segment of vehicles called some variation of “SUV coupe” that will probably devour what remains of the sedan market. You can argue whether this design is more or less practical than an SUV based on your needs, but many people carry no pretense of adventurous lives; they just don’t want to be at eye-level with someone else’s bumper. Until now, this body style was offered solely by luxury brands, like the original “Sports Activity Coupe” BMW X6 and its little brother X4, and Mercedes-Benz copycats GLC Coupe and GLE Coupe, the Sportback SUVs from Audi, and then the Infiniti QX55. Even the all-new 2024 BMW X2, which mirrors the silhouette of its larger siblings but in a footprint similar to the Envista, nearly doubles the Buick’s starting price at $42,000. Sure, performance gains and upgraded luxuries come with those higher price tags, but people will be caught off-guard by what the Envista offers. Also, getting 30 mpg in combined driving isn’t a bad trade-off.
Thought 3: It’s Oh-So Quiet
Standard on all Envista trims is Buick’s sound-deadening and active noise-cancelling technology, which it calls “QuietTuning.” It allowed me to enjoy some chill playlists at a moderate volume doing highway speeds without harsh road noise cutting in and ruining the vibe. This is an uncommon nicety among the subcompact classes. Step outside the vehicle and the idling engine is but a murmur.
Thought 4: It Doesn’t Have All-Wheel Drive
This will be a dealbreaker for some, and the decision not to offer AWD is perplexing, given it’s available on some of its platform mates, like the Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer. On the plus side, it does have traction control, so all is not lost when the weather turns. And, the Envista, like the all-new 2024 Chevy Trax, employs a traditional 6-speed transmission, unlike the front-wheel-drive versions of the GX and Trailblazer, which shift with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). These all start in the same sub-$25,000 ballpark, save the GX, although the addition of AWD nudges the Trailblazer out of it.
Thought 5: Sometimes It’s the Little Things
Going back to the SUV debate, it’s worth noting that aside from the downward-sloping roofline, the Envista’s physical dimensions are nearly identical to the Trax, but you’re only giving up about 12 cubic feet max cargo space (42.0) and about half that behind the rear seat. Speaking of the rear design, the back window seemed small, yet I had no difficulty seeing behind and around the vehicle. You won’t find Alcantara on the dash at this sticker price, but its hard surface was embossed with a tweedy pattern reminiscent of a sport coat, giving it extra visual and tactile appeal. Santorini Blue contrast stitching around the cabin added contours to the upholstery. There are guidelines on the wireless charging pad to show you exactly where to park your device to initiate charging.
The Wrap: Who’s Going to Buy the Envista?
Buick has put in a lot of effort during the past decade to improve its image with younger demographics, who previously considered it the choice automaker of the Social Security set. And it’s made great strides in the style department since the 2008 debut of the Enclave, gracing the brand’s look with richer interiors and elegant lines. Recent additions to the lineup, the Envision, the new Encore GX, and now the Envista, are striking a more athletic stance. These efforts have worked to lower the Buick buyer’s median age, but it hasn’t yet had an entry-level model to appeal to young professionals. At the Envista’s price, it just might. It should sell well, as the Trailblazer and new Trax have been subcompact successes. Time will tell whether it will be more than just the hot new ride in the active 55-plus community, which would be a shame if it isn’t. Related:
2024 Buick Envista: Choosing the Right Trim.
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