The Buick Envista was arguably the most surprising new vehicle released last year. Both because we weren’t expecting it to be so wildly impressive and competitive, but because The Buick Envista, introduced last year, exceeded expectations in terms of its impressive features and competitive pricing. Its striking appearance led bystanders to estimate its cost at $60,000 or even $80,000, while in reality, our Sport Touring test vehicle was priced at approximately $30,000, making it an exceptional value proposition in the subcompact segment.
Notably, the Envista offers one of the most spacious rear
seats and cargo areas in its class, catering to families. Its well-equipped
interior, comparable in aesthetics to the exterior, incorporates user-friendly
and visually appealing technology. Furthermore, the vehicle’s small
turbocharged engine outperforms expectations, delivering impressive
acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency.
The overall driving experience is remarkably refined, making
the Buick Envista a compelling choice in the subcompact segment, it
legitimately surprised people when they found out what it was and how much it
costs. We had multiple bystanders guess our test car cost $60,000 or even
$80,000, and we agree it looks expensive.
Thing is, our Sport Touring test car only went for about $30,000 and wasn’t even the top of the line. That’s very competitively priced for the subcompact segment, and moreover, you get a lot for your money – besides tricking folks into thinking you have a much higher car payment.
The 2025 Buick Envista offers one of the most spacious rear
seats and cargo areas in its class, making it an excellent choice for families.
The interior is well-appointed, aesthetically pleasing, and equipped with
user-friendly and visually appealing technology. Despite its modest
specifications, the small turbocharged engine outperforms expectations,
providing excellent fuel efficiency and a refined driving experience.
What’s new for 2025?
Rear parking sensors are included as standard across all
trims, with remote ignition being a standard feature on the Preferred and Sport
Touring models. The Sunrise Red color option has been discontinued, and Copper
Ice Metallic is no longer available on the Sport Touring trim. Please note that
the color-trim combination mentioned above is no longer offered, so be aware of
this before making a decision. The remaining features of the car remain
unchanged for the 2025 model year.
What are the Envista interior and in-car technology like?
The Envista’s interior features an abundance of hard
plastic, particularly on the doors. While this may be a concern for some, it is
worth noting that finding an alternative at a comparable price point may prove
challenging. Nonetheless, the Envista’s cabin presents an aesthetically
pleasing and user-friendly environment. The Sport Touring’s leatherette seating
and the Avenir’s leather upholstery significantly enhance the vehicle’s
perceived value, particularly when complemented by the dash-top pleather trim
and contrasting stitching.
Buick has commendably maintained simplicity in crucial
areas, such as the traditional shifter and physical buttons/knobs for climate
control. However, the cabin’s centerpiece undoubtedly lies in the dual displays
housed within a single curved enclosure. This design exudes an air of luxury,
further reinforced by the sophisticated screen graphics. The fully digital
instrument cluster, in particular, stands out for its elegant appearance and
provision of essential information. It is worth mentioning, however, that the
placement of trip computer information within the touchscreen may initially
confuse some users.
The 1-inch touchscreen, larger than most in its segment, is
powered by a simplified version of GM’s Android-based infotainment system.
While its functionality is limited, the radio controls are aesthetically
pleasing and conveniently arranged. The menu icons remain consistently docked
on the left side of the screen, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
come as standard features. Furthermore, wireless charging is available across
all trim levels.
How big is the Envista?
The Envista boasts a similar length and wheelbase to a Honda
CR-V, yet it falls into the subcompact segment due to its stylish roofline that
reduces interior volume, especially in terms of cargo space.
Despite this, it offers ample rear seat legroom for the
segment, accommodating a 6-foot-3 person comfortably. While headroom may be
less than boxy compact SUVs, it still provides enough space for taller
individuals.
Cargo space is limited due to the roofline design, lack of a
dual-level cargo floor, and a rigid cargo cover. However, once the cargo cover
is removed, the Envista can carry a standard amount of cargo test suitcases,
outperforming most competitors in its segment.
This includes the Chevy Trax, which has a higher on-paper
cargo volume but is less efficient in practical use. Overall, the Envista's
sleek appearance doesn't compromise its functionality.
What are the Envista fuel economy and performance specs?
The Envista is exclusively equipped with a 1.2-liter
turbocharged inline-three powertrain, delivering 137 horsepower and 162
pound-feet of torque. Power is transmitted through a six-speed automatic
transmission, and front-wheel drive is the sole drivetrain configuration
available. All-wheel drive is not offered.
Fuel efficiency estimates provided by the EPA indicate 28
miles per gallon in city driving, 32 miles per gallon on the highway, and a
combined 30 miles per gallon. These figures align with our own observations
during an extensive 300-mile test drive. While the Envista’s fuel economy is
commendable, it is worth noting that several competitors in the segment offer
comparable or slightly better efficiency.
What’s the Envista like to drive?
The specifications listed above may not seem impressive at
first glance. With only three cylinders and 137 horsepower, along with a
six-speed automatic transmission, it's easy to dismiss this car as one of the
slowest in its segment. However, driving it tells a different story. The
powertrain has been carefully tuned to offer a balance of performance, fuel
efficiency, and refinement at an affordable price point.
The engine itself is a standout feature. Despite the modest
horsepower figure, the 162 pound-feet of torque available at 2,500 rpm provide
a strong power delivery for city driving and quick maneuvers on the highway.
The six-speed automatic transmission, though not the latest technology, is
responsive and adept at selecting the right gear without any hesitation. It
also manages to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg.
Additionally, the sound deadening in the cabin effectively
reduces engine noise, resulting in a refined driving experience that belies the
car's modest specs.
The praise doesn't end here. After spending a significant
amount of time on the highway, we were truly impressed by the low noise levels,
smooth and comfortable ride, precise steering, and supportive driver's seat.
The Sport Touring model we tested was equipped with the optional Watts linkage
rear suspension upgrade, a feature that is standard on the Avenir trim but not
available on the base Preferred. Since we have not had the chance to test the
base suspension, we cannot determine the extent to which the upgrade enhances
the comfort and composure of the Envista. However, considering the vehicle's
overall value, opting for a trim level with this upgrade seems like a wise
decision.
What is the 2025 Envista price and where is it made?
The Envista is manufactured in Bupyeong Gu, South Korea. Its
base price starts at $22,900, excluding the destination charge, which was
$1,095 last year. Assuming a similar charge for 2025, the overall base price
falls within the typical range for subcompact SUVs. If maximizing passenger
space is the primary consideration in this price range, the base Envista
Preferred would be a suitable option.
The Sport Touring model, priced at $24,700 before
destination, offers a more distinctive appearance and an enhanced interior with
leatherette upholstery. Additionally, it provides access to the Experience
Buick package, which includes an upgraded Watts link suspension and 19-inch
wheels. Both the Preferred and Sport Touring models can be further enhanced
with the Convenience I package, which includes a power driver’s seat, heated
front seats and steering wheel, proximity entry, and remote ignition. The
Convenience II package adds a power liftgate, automatic wipers, and wireless
phone charging.
The Avenir pictured below ($28,600 before destination)
includes all of the optional content as standard, as well as leather
upholstery, a rear center armrest, and various design and ambiance upgrades.
Every Envista can be equipped with the same package of driver assistance
technology features described in the section below.
What are the Envista safety ratings and driver assistance
features?
The Envista comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of
advanced safety features as standard, including forward collision warning with
automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian detection, lane-departure
warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear parking sensors. An optional Advanced
Safety package adds blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic warning and adaptive
cruise control.
Crash test results from third-party organizations are not
yet available for the Envista.