NEW CAR REVIEW: 2024 Buick Envista Avenir By Mark Maynard

REVIEW BY MARK MAYNARD*
Credits - Text and Photos
Special To The Auto Channel
From Maynard's Garage

The Buick Envista tooling past me on the highway was a glint of whoa-what-is- that? Its fastback shape looked European. It looked aspirational. It looked expensive. I changed lanes for a better look. Why do I not know this car, looking so smart in its pearlescent metallic white?

This new-for-2024 Envista “sport coupe crossover” is the smallest Buick and the first Buick to adopt the brand’s new design language. It carries over some styling elements of the compelling Wildcat EV concept.

The 2024 Envista is a new Buick nameplate and a comfortable fit as a subcompact-plus small SUV. It is a corporate GM platform partner with the Chevrolet Trailblazer. However, the big separator of these GM SUVs is Envista’s distinctive styling and Buick’s more premium interior treatment.

Competing five-seat subcompact SUVs include the Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX- 30, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Volkswagen Taos. While most competitors have a powertrain option for all-wheel-drive, the Envista is strictly front-wheel drive. However, Buick’s other subcompact SUV, the Buick Encore GX, does have an AWD option.

Buick has structured an E nameplate series: Envista, Encore, Envision (a compact-class SUV), and Enclave (3-row, V6-powered SUV). Mh4M2024 Buick Envista Pricing The Buick Envista is available in three trim levels, all front-wheel drive. All trims have a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Also standard for all trims is a single-panel digital display that combines an 8-inch screen for driver instruments and an 11-inch infotainment screen. Below is the price walk:

Preferred, $24,590. Standard features include black leatherette upholstery, 17- inch silver painted wheels, and 3 years of OnStar Remote Access. Sport Touring, $25,690. Standard features include black leatherette upholstery with Santorini Blue stitching and ST embossed headrests, 18-inch black-painted wheels, a wrapped steering wheel, gloss black side mirrors, and body-side trim moldings.

Avenger, $29,695 Standard features include perforated leather-trimmed upholstery (in black with terracotta stitching or gray with Whisper Beige stitching), and 19- inch pearl nickel alloy wheels.

Retail manufacturer pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Bupyeong, Korea.

There is a choice of eight Envista paint colors, but only Summit White is a no- cost color; six hues are a $495 option. White Frost Tricoat is $1,095 but $600 for Avenir.

Today’s 2024 Envista Avenir is $31,090 with the advanced safety package, $795, and White Frost Tintcoat, $600. The advanced safety package is worthwhile for its upgrades of:

• Adaptive cruise control;
• Rear cross-traffic alert;
• Lane-change alert with side blind zone alert;
• Power, heated side mirrors with turn signals;
• Rain sensing intermittent wipers.

Check current Buick special offers HERE

At publication, there was an ultra-low-mileage lease for the base Preferred trim level. The 2-year/20,000-mile lease is $219 monthly, with $3,439 due at signing.

Safety Features and Technologies

Envista safety features include six air bags (with Passenger Sensing System that automatically switches on or off the front passenger seat when no occupant is seated), front seat knee bolsters, StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control, and hill start assist.

Safety technologies include the standard Buick Driver Confidence package of:

• Automatic Emergency Braking;
• Front Pedestrian Braking;
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning;
• Forward Collision Alert;
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam auto high-beam assist.

The Avenir advanced safety package, $795, adds driver assistance technologies for lane change alert with side blind zone alert, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Interior Function

There is simple, no-stress access to getting comfortable behind the wheel. It is a position of confidence.

With its subcompact-plus size, the front-seat area of the cabin feels roomy, with broad shoulder room of 56 inches, door to door. Front headroom of 39.4 inches, without the moonroof, should fit most 6-foot drivers.  A flat-bottom steering wheel improves thigh space for larger drivers. The Envista wheel has a non-leather wrap with elaborate stitching. I liked that the 9-and-3 spokes of the steering wheel have channel-changing and audio volume buttons.

Sightlines are refreshingly open over the hood and at the ellipse of the rear window. Side mirrors offset from the body add visibility when turning, and the design helps reduce wind turbulence and noise.

With a new dashboard design, there is ergonomic order and smart placement of switches and controls. Special Envista features include a single-panel digital display that combines an 8-inch screen for driver instruments and an 11-inch infotainment screen.

Envista has a slim shift lever on the slim center console. There is not much “drop” space on the console, and cup holders are small.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

While front-seat space feels more compact class than subcompact, the back seat feels more subcompact in dimensions. Max legroom of 38.7 inches seems, but the bench is short. The flat floor accommodates three across seating to drive colleagues to lunch. There is no seatback recline, but the fixed angle is comfortable.

Duck your head when slipping into the back seat to allow for the low roof contour.

Useful back-seat amenities include:

• Large door panel stash space with bottle slots;
• Dual types of USB ports (A and C);
• Wide, padded fold-down armrest with can holders.

The trailing arc of the fastback body takes away some height for big-box cargo capacity. However, the 20.7 cubic feet of space behind the back seat is functional for a young driver or family. The cargo area entry is about 3 feet wide, with almost 3 feet to the seatback. Fold the 60/40 back seat for up to 5 ½ feet in length.

Envista Powertrain and Performance

No Sport mode, no paddle shifters, no problem (mostly). Envista is a hustler with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. The turbocharged and direct-injected engine spins up 137 horsepower and has a usable torque of 162 lb.-ft. from 2,500-4,000 rpm. Power is sent forward through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The diminutive engine’s torque, the pulling force in the low to mid rev range, makes the engine feel more potent. Acceleration from the 1.2-liter three-cylinder is responsive away from the traffic light. However, performance lags when cruising along to keep the power underfoot. There is no Sport mode, so it takes a heavier foot for a transmission kick down. Highway cruising is competent but anticipate your need for passing power.

Official fuel-economy ratings are 28 mpg city, 32 highway, and 30 mpg combined. Regular unleaded fuel is recommended. According to the onboard computer, my average fuel economy over the test week was 25.6 mpg with a best of 42.1 mpg.

GM uses this 1.2 liter — its smallest engine in North America — in the Buick Encore GX and Chevy Trailblazer. However, both vehicles have a slightly more powerful engine upgrade in the 155-hp 1.3-liter. Offering this slightly larger engine choice the Avenir trim would better reinforce Buick’s “premium” position. “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.

Ride and Handling

Buick’s QuietTuning and active noise cancellation are rewarding technologies in this small sport-coupe SUV. Zipping along the interstate at 70 mph, conversations are comfortable without raised voice volume.

Push hard through corners, and the all-season Continental ProContact tires grip without squeals of protest. These Continentals are premium all-season touring tires with a comfortable treadwear rating of 500. The tires have a 65,000-mile limited warranty and are pricey to replace at around $250 each.

A long wheelbase (106.3 inches) helps with a settled highway ride. However, the torsion beam rear suspension transfers jolts over potholes and rough city streets. The long wheelbase with 18- or 19-inch wheels pushes the turning circle to 38.4 feet. That span is awkwardly wide for a “subcompact” vehicle. With 17-inch wheels, the circle is a foot shorter.

The standard Buick Confidence Package includes driver-assistance technologies, such as lane-keep assist with lane departure warning.

To get full semiautonomous driving requires the Avenir Advanced Safety package, $795. It adds adaptive cruise control, including lane change alert with blind zone alert.

Always keep hands on the wheel when using this semiautonomous mode. Lane centering is not accurate and lets the Envista drift wide in interstate cornering.  However, the suite of safety systems is well worth the $795.

Observations and Considerations

• There is a lot of black plastic throughout the cabin. The Avenir, however, is dressed up with multiple grain patterns and engaging “zicka” lines on the door panels from the dashboard. Avenir’s padded dash pad has a line of copper stitching, which continues onto the seat trim aesthetics.
• Power windows have an auto-down function but no auto-up, which is a silly budget issue.
• Visors do not slide.
• Front seat belts have no height adjustment; some will not like the position of the seat belt at their neck.
• Front passenger seat has no power adjustments. That is another compromising budget measure that detracts from “premium” for a $30,000 price.
• No rear wiper! Buick (and other makers saving a few dollars) seems to think that rain will blow down the rear glass while driving. However, the large back glass will still accumulate dirt and grime as it sits, and somebody will need to clean it. However, I’m not sure I would want a rear wiper because it would clutter up the gorgeous rear-end design. The shapely front end has the same dilemma when affixing a license plate to the Avenir’s attractive black-chrome ice grille treatment. (Michigan does not require a front license plate.)

Why Buy the Buick Envista?

The $30,000 Envista Avenir is an elevated economy car with sexy styling. Its pricing and features are a good fit for a young family or a career-goal graduate.

2024 Buick Envista Avenir Specifications

• Body style: Subcompact, 5-seat, 5-door front-wheel-drive SUV crossover
• Engine: 137-hp, turbocharged and direct injection 1.2-liter 3-cylinder; 162 lb.-ft. torque from 2,500-4,000 rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Fuel economy: 28/32/30 city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended

BY THE NUMBERS

• Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
• Cargo space: 20.7 to 42 cubic feet
• Front head/leg room: 39.4*/41.9 inches *without moonroof
• Rear head/leg room: 36.3*/38.7 inches  *without moonroof
• Shoulder/hip room, front: 56/52.3 inches
• Length/wheelbase: 182.6/106.3 inches
• Width/height: 71.5/61.3 inches
• Track, f/r: 61.3 inches front/61.6 inches rear
• Curb weight: 3,115 pounds
• Turning circle: 38.4 feet

FEATURES

• Standard equipment includes: Keyless open and start with push-button ignition, HD rearview camera, perforated leather-appointed upholstery, cruise control, flat bottom wrapped steering wheel, 8-inch configurable color driver gauge display, remote start, 8-way power driver seat with seat-cushion tilt and 2- way power lumbar, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, electronic parking brake, wireless phone charging pad, rear seat armrest with cup holders, power liftgate, 40/60 split-folding rear bench seat, carpeted floor mats (front and rear), cargo cover.
• Special Envista features include: Avenir door sill plate cover, active noise cancellation, Buick QuietTuning, acoustic laminated windshield, automatic on/off LED headlamps, LED rear taillights, running lights, and turn signals, heated power-adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators.
• Multimedia features include: 6-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, 11-inch HD color touchscreen, SiriusXM 3-month platinum trial subscription, 3 years of OnStar premium plan (includes the OnStar Guardian app, connectivity for available In-Vehicle Apps, In-Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot data and Remote Access through the myBuick mobile app), 2 USB ports  (1 USB Type-A, 1 USB Type-C).
• Standard safety features and technologies:  6 air bags, front seat knee bolsters, StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction controls, hill start assist, and the Buick Driver Confidence package.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

• Brakes: Four-wheel discs with Duralife rotors, ABS, and ESC; 11.8-inch rotors front, 11.3-inch rear
• Steering: Electric power assisted rack and pinion; turning circle 28.4 feet (w/18- or 19-inch wheels); 37.4 feet with 17-inch wheels
• Tires-wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels (Avenir) and 245/45 al-season tires; compact spare with jacking tools
• Suspension: Front MacPherson struts; rear compound crank (twist-beam axle) with Watts link

PRICING

• Base price: $29,695, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $31,080 Options on test vehicle: Advanced safety package $795; White Frost Tricoat paint $600

Where assembled:

• Bupyeong, Korea

Warranties:

• 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper;  12-months/12,000-miles free scheduled maintenance service; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain and roadside assistance with courtesy transportation

*MARK MAYNARD

Mark is a long time auto journalist member of the Motor Press Guild. He is the former auto editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune, and has been writing about cars, their people and products for 30 years. He has attended several high-performance driving schools and off-road driving courses — without too much damage to car or driver. His weekly reviews of new vehicles range from economy cars to exotics, pickups, SUVs and specialty vehicles.” You can reach Mark through Maynard’s Garage for Instagram, Twitter and www.Facebook.com/mark.maynard.583/.