Buick Introduces the 2024 Envista: A Surprisingly Affordable Premium Compact Crossover

Buick has revealed the Envista, a premium entry in the highly popular compact crossover segment.  Size-wise, Envista will slot above the Encore GX and below the Envision. In appearance, it introduces a whole new era of design and innovation to the Buick lineup and Ewing Buick GMC’s showroom.

All-New Sculptural Design

With the Envista, Buick brings to production the design first exhibited on last year’s thrilling Wildcat EV concept car.  The design starts with the hood sloping down to bumper level with a forward-leaning angular grille underneath set off by bright trim. LED lights front and rear are long and narrow. The long, sleek profile shows the Envista to be Buick’s most car-like crossover yet with a fastback sloping roof evocative of sport sedans. A new interpretation of the classic three-shield Buick logo sits proudly on the front, rear, and steering wheel. 

“The Envista represents a pure expression of Buick design,” said Sharon Gauci, executive director, Global Buick-GMC Design. “This is not your average small SUV. With its unique proportions, modern stance and sleek form, the Envista takes Buick’s sculptural beauty to the next level.”

Presently there are three Envista trim levels, which from the exterior, are most immediately identifiable by their wheels. The Preferred trim sports 17-alloys with an 18-inch option. The aggressive-appearing Sport Touring (ST) has distinctive black-finish 18-inch alloys with a 19-inch option, while the top-level Avenir rides on nickel-finish 19-inch alloy wheels.

All-New Interior Design

Inside the Envista, both driver and passengers will be surprised by the spaciousness of the cabin due in part to a long wheelbase and clever interior design. Envista has spaciousness often seen in larger models and provides significantly more legroom than prior Buick small crossovers.

Modern shapes and elegant pewter-finish trim greet the driver and front passenger. Most prominent on the dash is the Ultrawide Infotainment Display encasing an 8-inch digital driver information display and a class-leading 11-inch center control screen accompanied by hard controls for instantly available climate and audio functions. Additional thoughtful details can be found throughout the interior, such as color contrast stitching on the seats and Avenir and ST logos embroidered on the head restraints of their respective trims. A flat-bottom steering wheel is standard across all trims, providing driver ease of access as well as a premium appearance that is rare in the segment. The Buick Driver Confidence package is standard on all models and includes the following:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• IntelliBeam auto high-beams
• Forward Collision Alert
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Following Distance Indicator
• HD Rear Vision Camera 

Smart, Efficient Drivetrain

The Envista powertrain is a smart, high-performance 1.2-liter turbocharged DOHC Inline-3 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Current estimates have it producing 136 horsepower with 162 lb-ft of torque. The estimated EPA mpg is expected to be 28 city/32 highway/30 combined.

“Compared to previous generations of our 1.2L Turbo engine, this version is lighter and uses fewer parts, which reduces the overall vehicle weight, increases efficiency and creates nimble ride and handling,” said Scott McLane, lead development engineer, Buick Envista.

Surprisingly Affordable

While the Envista represents a premium model in the compact crossover segment, its pricing is supremely competitive.  The Preferred trim has a starting MSRP of just $23,495, with Sport Touring starting at $25,195 and Avenir starting at $29,695.  

“Buick helped define the small SUV segment in 2012, and we’ve continued to make our offerings even more competitive since. The all-new Envista is going to shake up that segment once again,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC. “When you consider all the Envista has to offer, from its stunning design, standard technology, and premium affordability, it’s going to be hard to find a better package in that area of the market.”  

Expect to see the first 2024 Envista models in the Ewing Buick GMC showroom in early-mid summer.