Text by Tom Appel
Text by Tom Appel2024 Buick Envista Avenir
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Color: Ocean Blue
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 166
Real-world fuel economy: 31.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | C+ |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 137-horsepower, 1.-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-wheel drive |
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 28/32/30 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $28,600 (not including $1095 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Avenir Advanced Safety Package ($795)
Price as tested: $30,490
Pros and Cons
The great: Excellent dollar value, premium feel
The good: Roomy and practical design, excellent fuel economy
The not so good: Engine coarse when pushed
Review
Buick rolled out a redesigned version of its subcompact Skyhawk for 1982. Built on General Motors’ highly anticipated “J-Car” architecture, the Skyhawk would be the most-affordable offering in Buick showrooms.
Offered as a coupe, sedan, hatchback, and ultra-rare 4-door station wagon, the entry-level Skyhawk appealed to a relatively broad audience of shoppers looking for both a little brand prestige as well as an accessible monthly payment. For 1982, the Skyhawk Limited sedan started at $7931, or about $26,000 in 2024 dollars. Remember that number.
For 2024, Buick rolled out an all-new entry-level model: Envista. The subcompact crossover shares its basic architecture with the well-regarded Chevrolet Trax small crossover, but features unique design and styling, and a trim-level offering that is somewhat upscale of the Chevy.
Here’s the deal: That 1982 Skyhawk, at just under $8000, did not include as standard an automatic transmission, air conditioning, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, or any safety features which we now take for grant. Meanwhile, the 2025 Envista, which includes all of the just-mentioned features and equipment, starts at just $25,000.
New for 2024, the Envista slots in price below the similar-size Encore GX in Buick’s lineup. The Encore, until recently Buick’s most affordable model, can be better equipped than the Envista, it is also offered with AWD, which cannot be had on the ‘Vista.
Buick’s four-model lineup, which also includes a pair of more upscale offerings, the compact Envision and midsize Enclave, covers a vast price dollar range. For 2025, the entry-level Envista begins at just $24,795, while the top-trim Enclave Avenir starts at $59,395.
Despite what might feel like an odd fit for GM’s near-luxury brand, the Envista has seen strong sales. It seems the model’s attractive combination of good looks, high value, and utility has caught the buying public’s attention.
For 2025, the Envista lineup ascends through three trim levels: Preferred ($24,795), Sport Touring ($26,195), and Avenir ($26,695).
Power for all Envista models comes from a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. All models earn an EPA estimated combined rating of 30 mpg, and run on regular-grade gasoline.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Envista Avenir in Ocean Blue with the Advanced Safety Package. All told, our test car came to $30,490. Though this evaluation is of a 2024 model, we can share that there are no significant changes to the Envista for 2025.
The Envista makes as excellent first impression. The Cabin is far classier than most vehicles of like price. And though there is a fair amount of hard plastic hidden in the décor, the Envista interior presents well with plenty of bright accents, classy design, and, where best placed, soft-touch surfaces.
The controls and infotainment interface will feel familiar to existing General Motors customers, that is to say that most controls are logically placed and easy to locate. The gear selector is of the old-school mechanical type, which we find comfortingly familiar. Also, the standard 6-speaker audio system punches above its weight class, and sounds as good as many branded systems found in more-expensive vehicles. This author found the Envista system up to the task of handling the mid-century American jazz he favors.
There’s plenty of cabin space for four adults, and the Envista’s front door openings are large enough for even plus-size adults to enter and exit the vehicle without difficulty. Likewise, rear-seat accommodations are also generous. And unlike on many small crossovers, the Envista rear-doors open nearly 90 degrees to simplify vehicle ingress and egress.
On the road, the Envista continues to acquit itself well. The subcompact Buick’s relatively tiny 3-cylinder engine delivers plenty of around-town spunk, easily keeping up with traffic, and sprinting eagerly away from stops. Highway passing and merging power is only adequate however, and the motor sounds and feels stressed when tapped for additional power. The engine is also a little coarse in regular use, throbbing unevenly at idle.
None of this is to say the Envista is unrefined, only to note that many vehicles in the little Buick’s price class offer a more relaxed dynamic experience.
That said, the Envista serves up excellent ride and handling. Though not quite sporty, the ‘Vista handles well, and makes easy works of hurried cornering and sudden braking. Ride quality is outstanding; for a small crossover the Envista is surprisingly comfortable on long highway drives. On-the-road quietness is also noteworthy, which makes for relaxed conversation across seating rows, even at highway speed.
There is little of functional value that the Envista offers that can’t be had in similar and even more-affordable Chevrolet Trax, but the Buick does feel genuinely more upscale, and that should count for something when selecting a new vehicle.
Consumer Guide has named the 2025 Buick Envista a Best Buy pick in the Subcompact Crossover class, this for delivering a premium-crossover experience for a mainstream price. Once the word gets out, we expect the Envista to begin selling in significant volume. Remembering that it costs less now than the Skyhawk did four decades ago, we recommend you add Buick’s most-affordable model to your test-drive short list.
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2024 Buick Envista Avenir Pictures
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