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Let's face it: Buick has been pretty much dormant in the past few years. Save for a few facelifts, as well as the demise of the entry-level Encore, the American brand hasn't shown too many signs of life. With the debut of the 2024 Envista crossover coupe, however, the Buick name has been brought back into buyers' heads. But while the Envista definitely looks the part, the puny 136 hp it makes from its small three-cylinder engine reminds us that it's not related to that stunning Avista concept from 2016 in any way.
The Envista adopts Buick's latest design language, and follows the recently refreshed Encore GX in wearing the company's redesigned logo. With a sleek profile and raked roofline, the Envista chases the crossover coupe fad that dominates the realm of expensive luxury SUVs. That luxurious demeanor is exactly what the latest Buick attempts to emulate, most evident in its thin lighting elements and chrome-clad detailing in range-topping Avenir guise.
But we have to admit that looks are sometimes deceiving, and that's unfortunately the case for the Envista. It's powered by a 1.2 liter three-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which sends power exclusively to the front wheels. This powertrain makes only 136 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, which falls short of true luxury crossovers. Meanwhile, an all-wheel drive version is nowhere to be found. Those who want AWD will get it in the Encore GX, which is slightly more expensive but offers more luggage space than the sleeker Envista. With less power, front-wheel drive and three speeds short of the Encore GX's transmission, expect a painfully slow journey to 60 mph for the Envista. We're talking near the 10-second mark.
The strong suit for the Envista is its price, since Buick tends to position itself in the luxury field. It opens up at just $23,495 for the base Preferred trim, undercutting every single luxury subcompact by tens of thousands of dollars. Even opting for the fanciest Avenir trim will only cost you $29,695, which merely brushes against the starting prices of most rivals.
Considering how dirt cheap the Envista is compared to the rest of the small premium SUV pack, we here you ask: what exactly do you get for the money? All Envista models come with an impressively large 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alongside a fully digital, 8-inch instrument cluster. Standard safety features include automatic high-beams, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. As for the entry-level Preferred, things start with 17-inch wheels and a torsion beam rear suspension. Moving up the ladder to the Sport Touring trim, wheel sizes grow to 18 inches, and styling elements lean towards a sportier character. This trim starts at $25,195. Finally, the high-end Avenir model, which approaches $30,000, adds larger 19-inch wheels and an exclusive Watt's-link rear suspension.
Sure, the Envista is grossly underpowered, but that's not the top priority for buyers seeking a bargain SUV with premium aspirations. Because of that, this latest Buick will still be sure attract a large crowd with its flashy exterior, screen-laden cabin, and most importantly, that steal of a price.
Do you think Buick should have invested in something more exciting?
Image Credits: Buick
Revealed
Apr 17, 2023
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2024 Buick Envista Gives Buyers Premium Style For Just $23,495
The trendy crossover coupe is a much-needed addition to Buick's dying U.S. lineup.
Let's face it: Buick has been pretty much dormant in the past few years. Save for a few facelifts, as well as the demise of the entry-level Encore, the American brand hasn't shown too many signs of life. With the debut of the 2024 Envista crossover coupe, however, the Buick name has been brought back into buyers' heads. But while the Envista definitely looks the part, the puny 136 hp it makes from its small three-cylinder engine reminds us that it's not related to that stunning Avista concept from 2016 in any way.
The Envista adopts Buick's latest design language, and follows the recently refreshed Encore GX in wearing the company's redesigned logo. With a sleek profile and raked roofline, the Envista chases the crossover coupe fad that dominates the realm of expensive luxury SUVs. That luxurious demeanor is exactly what the latest Buick attempts to emulate, most evident in its thin lighting elements and chrome-clad detailing in range-topping Avenir guise.
But we have to admit that looks are sometimes deceiving, and that's unfortunately the case for the Envista. It's powered by a 1.2 liter three-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which sends power exclusively to the front wheels. This powertrain makes only 136 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, which falls short of true luxury crossovers. Meanwhile, an all-wheel drive version is nowhere to be found. Those who want AWD will get it in the Encore GX, which is slightly more expensive but offers more luggage space than the sleeker Envista. With less power, front-wheel drive and three speeds short of the Encore GX's transmission, expect a painfully slow journey to 60 mph for the Envista. We're talking near the 10-second mark.
The strong suit for the Envista is its price, since Buick tends to position itself in the luxury field. It opens up at just $23,495 for the base Preferred trim, undercutting every single luxury subcompact by tens of thousands of dollars. Even opting for the fanciest Avenir trim will only cost you $29,695, which merely brushes against the starting prices of most rivals.
Considering how dirt cheap the Envista is compared to the rest of the small premium SUV pack, we here you ask: what exactly do you get for the money? All Envista models come with an impressively large 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alongside a fully digital, 8-inch instrument cluster. Standard safety features include automatic high-beams, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. As for the entry-level Preferred, things start with 17-inch wheels and a torsion beam rear suspension. Moving up the ladder to the Sport Touring trim, wheel sizes grow to 18 inches, and styling elements lean towards a sportier character. This trim starts at $25,195. Finally, the high-end Avenir model, which approaches $30,000, adds larger 19-inch wheels and an exclusive Watt's-link rear suspension.
Sure, the Envista is grossly underpowered, but that's not the top priority for buyers seeking a bargain SUV with premium aspirations. Because of that, this latest Buick will still be sure attract a large crowd with its flashy exterior, screen-laden cabin, and most importantly, that steal of a price.
Do you think Buick should have invested in something more exciting?
Image Credits: Buick
