When the world last saw the 2024 Buick Envista, it was in the Chinese market, with Buick neither confirming nor denying that it would be available in the U.S. Fast forward to today, and Buick is confirming that not only is the Envista finally ready for the U.S. market, but that it will also perhaps be the boldest Buick offering we have seen in a long time.
Wildcat DNA Makes Envista SUV Purr
While we are still disappointed that the Wildcat concept is not entering production in its current form (we’ll buy a coupe Buick we promise,) it’s refreshing to see that Buick will be using some of its DNA to help make the Envista stand out in its crowded segment. The front fascia features a forward-leaning nose with a large grille and slender LED running lights. The traditional headlights are mounted in the corners of the front bumper. The profile is also much sleeker than before, and the shieldless Buick emblem is mounted on the body. The rear of the Envista tapers downward, and it strongly resembles some of the SUV “coupes” that have recently become a popular trend in the segment.
The Avenir prefers a more traditional luxury SUV look, while the ST version doubles down on sportiness. The latter is still mainly a styling package, but here on the Envista, the blackened accents, red paint, and subtle ST badges do a much better job of driving home the sporty motif to buyers than some of Buicks other attempts at an ST model over the years. The styling does an excellent job of making the exterior pop, but we look forward to spending some time with the Envista in person to see if the model can truly deliver the goods in real-world driving and natural lighting.Â
Buick Reboots The Interior with Envista, And It Looks Awesome
Slip inside the 2024 Buick ENvista, and you’ll see that Buick puts a strong emphasis on screen size, with the CUV boasting 19 inches of real estate in this particular category. An 11-inch infotainment system is standard (lifted from the larger Encore GX), with Buick claiming that it now benefits from reworked software, improved voice controls, and a tweaked menu interface. A fully digital instrument cluster is also standard, and Buick reps claim that the Envista can swallow up to 42 cubic feet of cargo with the second-row seats folded down (that figure is reduced to 20.7 cubic feet of space with the seats up.)
A flat-bottomed steering wheel is also standard, and the Envista’s driver-centric interior design is also a refreshing departure from its bigger corporate siblings, the Envision and Enclave. Avenit and ST models get their logos embroidered on the headrests, while colorful stitching adds pop and contrast to the seats. Avenir models also get richer leather thrones, with the ST model getting a blackout treatment for its cabin.Â
Track Suit Hides Fuel-Efficient Powertrain, Impressive Safety Tech
While Buick reps in the past have said that the Wildcat concept will eventually influence the way their all-electric lineup will look like, the 2024 Enivsta will (at least for now) not join the EV revolution. Instead, all models will be powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 136 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic. This setup makes sense since the Envista uses the same platform as the Chevrolet Trax. That also explains why the Envista has no all-wheel drive model, with front-wheel drive being the sole drive setup available.
Two suspension setups are available with lower trims using a torsion beam arrangement, while the Avenir gets a Watts-linkage suspension standard when equipped with 19-inch wheels. This suspension is also available as an option on the ST model. Buick hasn’t released fuel economy figures for the Enivsta yet but look for those figures to closely replicate the impressive figures wielded by the Trax, with that model getting over 30 mpg in multiple categories. The Envista will also lead the segment with its impressive roster of safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control, intelligent high beams, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist.
Value Is Envista’s Trump Card
In addition to all of its standard equipment, the 2024 Buick Envista also has a strong grip on offering all of this at an approachable value. Base Preferred models start at $23,495, while the ST starts at $25,195. Buyers looking to venture into the Avenir model will be greeted with a base MSRP of $29,695. This pricing also reflects the Envista’s unique place in the pecking order, with all three models having $3,000 between them and the Encore GX.Â
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Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.