Buick unveiled a new-to-America compact SUV, the 2024 Envista, designed to compete in the premium compact crossover segment. Buick says the Envista offers the cargo space and utility of an SUV, packaged inside sporty and sleek proportions typically found in a sedan.
The Envista is about the same size as the existing Buick Envision, with an overall length just 0.1 inches longer, but with a 3-inch shorter wheelbase. The Envista is 182.6 inches long with a 106.3-inch wheelbase, while the Envision has 109.4 inches of wheelbase.
Further, the ute offers a lower roof height by 3 inches, for a sleek fastback coupe-like profile. Like the Envision, the Envista is still a two-row compact crossover, but it will cost about $10,000 less than the Envision.
Thus, the Envista is not really a replacement for the popular Buick Encore, which debuted in 2012 as a 2013 model. The Encore started by selling 31,956 units in 2013, and sales grew each year up to 102,402 units in 2019 before falling off dramatically as Buick introduced the larger Encore GX. The base Encore was discontinued at the end of 2022, while the Encore GX remains in production. However, the Envista will start more than $2,000 lower than the Encore GX, so the future may be written for that model as well.
“Buick helped define the small SUV segment in 2012, and we’ve continued to make our offerings even more competitive since,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC. “The all-new Envista is going to shake up that segment once again. 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.”
Affordability is the point
Starting at $23,495 for the base Preferred trim, the Envista will be one of the most affordable SUVs in the segment, yet Buick has pledged high-quality materials, design and technology. Buick has designed the Envista to attract young professionals and small families who have been migrating from passenger cars to SUVs in large numbers.
The new ute will come in two additional trims, including Sport Touring (ST) and Avenir. The Envista Sport Touring will start at $25,195 and Avenir starting at $29,695, including destination fees. Avenir is Buick’s extra-luxury trim, comparable to Denali at Buick’s sister brand, GMC.
New design language
The Envista will be the first Buick to fully incorporate the brand’s new design cues, which were revealed on the Wildcat EV concept last year. Signal features include “the new face of Buick,” which offers a low-profile silhouette and forward leaning nose. The new Buick logo is mounted on the body, directly above a sleek, intricate grille design. This design cue is a nod to Buick heritage. Ultra-narrow upper LED lights offer the look of headlights, but the functional headlights are mounted lower on the front, subtly integrated with the fascia.
“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.”
Tech-forward interior
Inside the Envista, the designers have worked to create a sense of space and light. The windows are long and designed to allow light in, while the platform is designed to maximize available space.
A 60/40-split folding second row allows for storage of items up to 7.5 feet long (diagonally). The Envista provides 20.7 cubic feet of room behind the rear seat and 42 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Envista’s new Ultrawide Infotainment Display stretches across 19 diagonal inches of combined LCD screens. Eleven inches of that contains the central infotainment screen, making it the largest in the segment. The driver information display is entirely screen-based as well.
The cabin experience is enhanced with Buick’s signature QuietTuning system, which helps prevent unwanted road noise from entering the cabin for a serene and more relaxed driving experience.
Driver assistance tech is standard
The 2024 Envista will come standard with the Buick Driver Confidence package. This driver assistance tech includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keep Assist with Lane-Departure Warning, IntelliBeam auto high-beams and more. A high-definition Rear Vision Camera is also standard.
Optionally, the Envista will also offer available safety and driver assistance technologies such as Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Efficient turbocharged drivetrain
The Envista will come with 1.2-liter turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Buick estimates the final output will be 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Envista is expected to offer a GM-estimated 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
“Compared to previous generations of our 1.2-liter 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.
A Watts Link rear suspension system is standard on the Avenir trim and available on ST, providing drivers with a level of sure-footedness and a more quiet and isolated ride experience.
The 2024 Envista is expected to enter production next month and be available for customers this summer. Customers can preview the Envista on Buick.com now, with the ability to build and order online starting later this year.