This isn’t your dad’s Buick anymore!
The brand, perhaps often neglected by consumers based on a preconceived notion of the product, has a new trick up its sleeve to try and attract first-time buyers.
And that is the 2024 Buick Envision which we tested recently, and I came away quite impressed.
Not only does it look good, but the compact SUV offers a modern and comfortable cabin and drives quite well.
We tested the Envista Sport Touring model, the middle of three trims for the model.
The base price of the Envista Sport Touring is a reasonable $28,299, with an as-tested price of $33,515 with a few extras added.
That includes the $700 Convenience II package ($700) which adds a power liftgate, wireless device charging and automatic wipers.
It also included the Buick Experience package ($1,195) for a power moonroof, enhanced rear suspension and 19-inch black painted aluminum wheels. The last extra was $495 for the Ebony Twilight Metallic paint.
Powertrain: I was pleasantly surprised by the three-cylinder engine on the Envista. The 1.2-litre powerplant may seem underwhelming, but that’s not really the case. With 132 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, it is actually pretty enjoyable in the compact SUV. The six-speed automatic transmission does seem a bit outdated, however.
The one thing lacking for the Envista is an all-wheel drive system, however.
I was also not able to come close to the estimated fuel economy figure of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres, doing no better than 11.4 L/100 km.
Exterior: The Envista is a very stylishly designed compact SUV. It features flowing lines from front to back, and a highly raked back-end design. That does lead to one issue, however, as rearward visibility from inside the vehicle is somewhat restricted.
The front-end features Buick’s new logo, a nice grille and slim profile headlights for a modern look. The optional 19-inch black wheels, especially with the black exterior, really complete a slick exterior look.
Interior: I was equally pleased with the Envista’s cabin. It is modern, comfortable, and well thought out.
The 11-inch central touchscreen houses many of the controls for the Envista in clearly defined sections that are easy to navigate.
HVAC controls are neatly arranged below the screen, and easy to operate with large knobs, even with gloved hands.
The tester featured black leatherette seating surfaced with blue accents, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel also part of the Sport Touring trim.
Rear sear legroom is good, but headroom can get tight for taller occupants. Cargo space is also not the most generous.
Infotainment: The infotainment system on the Envista is very good, with the aforementioned menus that are easy to filter through. If there was one setting that was unclear to me until I figured it out, it was how to change the audio source for the system, but that is a minor issue.
It features satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard six-speaker setup.
Drive: On the road, the Envista also proved to be enjoyable. The little engine that could provides more than enough power and I never felt like I was lacking in that department. The ride is quite comfortable, perhaps helped by the optional suspension setup. Nonetheless, this is a pleasant drive in the city and on the highway, with limited road noise intrusion as well.
2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring FWD
2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring FWD
2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring FWD
Conclusion: The compact Envista certainly has some potential for Buick, with a stylish exterior, a very nice cabin, and a decent overall presence on the road.
While not perfect – such as the rearward visibility and storage space shortcomings – the Envista definitely made a great first impression with me.
2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring FWD
Price as tested: $33,515.00
Freight: $2,000.00
Configuration: Front engine/Front-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder/ 6-speed automatic
Power/torque: 137 horsepower/ 162 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (50 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 7.9 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 11.4 L/100 km
Warranties: 3-years/60,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos
Website: Buick Canada