Buick Envista Receives Praise from Auto Industry Analyst

The Buick Envista has been such a critical hit that it is receiving accolades from unexpected places. In this case, automotive Industry analyst Stephanie Brinley felt compelled to write a review of the Envista in a LinkedIn post after driving it from the Detroit area to the Toronto Auto Show and back. Ewing Buick GMC gives a synopsis of the post.

Stephanie Brinley is the Associate Director of Research and Analysis for S&P Global, a research and analysis firm for the automotive and other industries. Her drive was in the Envista Avenir, the model line’s flagship, though she expressed a preference for the appearance of the Sport model. 

Small, But Capable Powertrain

Brinley starts by addressing the drivetrain because a 137-hp, 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine, even when turbocharged, could seem too small to some shoppers. She stated that while the Envista will never be mistaken for a performance car, it gets around just fine. As a bonus, the engine doesn’t sound strained in doing so, even under full acceleration. Having a conventional 6-speed transmission instead of a CVT that is endemic to the class probably helps, but Buick’s “Quiet Tuning” methods can probably also take some credit. 

AWD Not Needed

Not surprisingly, when heading to Toronto in February, she encountered a snowstorm. By now, we have all been conditioned to think such conditions demand all-wheel drive, but Brinley points out that the front-wheel-drive-only Envista did just fine. Doing less fine was a semi-truck ahead of her, which jack-knifed and blocked all the lanes, giving Ms. Brinley some waiting time. The waiting was much easier thanks to the Avenir’s onboard wifi hotspot, which allowed her to get some work done while stuck on the highway. Fortunately, such snowstorms are a bit less common in Central Texas.

Useful Tech

She also makes a note of the Envista’s other technology, such as a well-sized touchscreen size (11 inches) with good resolution, smartphone compatibility (wireless), and “a laundry list of ADAS,” which refers to Advanced Driver’s Assistance Systems, which on all Envistas includes: 

• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following DistanceIndicator
• IntelliBeam auto high beams

Additional systems are available though it isn’t clear if they were on the model she was driving. 

Category? Schmategory!

Brinley also took some time to discuss the type of vehicle the Envista is. Knowing American’s peculiar aversion to hatchbacks, Buick describes the Envista as a crossover vehicle. But its low height and sloping rear roof imply a sleek four-door hatchback, and the FWD drivetrain strengthens the impression. Her point is that it doesn’t matter. The car looks good inside and out, and the hatch provides convenient utility. 

Brinley summarizes her review as follows: “The customer who buys this vehicle is likely to be happy. It’s pretty, tech-forward, affordable, and practical.”

If you like the idea of a new, affordable, but practical car that punches above its price range in features and style, the Buick Envista should be a top consideration. Ewing Buick GMC has plenty of Envista models in its inventory, waiting for you to check them out.