Too often, Buick is overlooked by the younger generation. But the Envista Avenir shouldn’t be. It comes with features typically packed into luxury vehicles at twice the price. Moreover, it comes in, dare I say, a seductive package that mimics a Lamborghini Urus. OK, so your friends aren’t going to believe you got a Lambo. But they will be impressed when they see and step inside the Envista Avenir. Just like the commercial, your friends will say, “This is a Buick?” The best part is the starting price of $23K, with my fully loaded Avenir tester coming in at $30K. Who would have thought Buick could be the best bargain in the automotive world? Some of this can be attributed to the Envista’s stablemate, the well-engineered Chevy Trax. Buick’s take includes some luxury touches and a unique premium look.
Cool Shape
With a long wheelbase, low roof, and sleek profile, the Envista is a premium crossover with the riding dynamics of a sedan. But it has the practicality of a hatchback. Duncan Aldred, Global VP of Buick, notes, “Buick helped define the small SUV segment in 2012, and we’ve continued to make our offerings even more competitive since. 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.” The Envista flexes Buick’s new design language with an updated badge that doesn’t look like Grandma’s. It is mounted on the body right past the grille. I really liked the appropriate amount of bright trim work that does not confuse itself with the chrome of yore. Sharon Gauci, Executive Director of Buick, states, “Envista represents a pure expression of Buick 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.” I was also impressed with the Pearl Nickel 19-inch wheels on my tester. They look like they came from a German luxury manufacturer but make the least expensive Buick really shine.
Little Engine That Could!
As is the case with most new vehicles, the trend is to downsize the engine displacement and use a turbocharger. The Buick uses a 1.2-liter three-cylinder with a turbocharger rated at 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. This helps to keep fuel economy numbers good, and the Envista checks in at 30 MPG combined. The best I saw was 39 MPG on a backroad trip without any stops while I tried to coax every bit of economy out of it. The engine is mated to a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. I like the idea of using proven technology at a reasonable price. Because it is a relatively spacious vehicle, the engine bay is not cramped and should be easy to work on. Scott McLane, the Envista lead development engineer, states, “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.”
Interior Touches
When you hop into the Envista, you are first greeted with a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel that would look at home in an Audi. The leather stitching has a nice pattern, and the Avenir logo is placed on the headrest. The Envista’s Ultrawide Infotainment Display encompasses 19 diagonal inches of combined LCD screens. I really like how they integrated an analog volume knob next to the infotainment screen and to the right of the instrument cluster screen. Navigating the infotainment screen is easy—there is an easy-to-find “Home” button, and toggling through the menus can be done with a bar to the left of the infotainment screen. The included six-speaker audio system will get you going, and your local mobile electronics retailer can help take it to the next level. With its hatchback-like design, getting great bass is only a subwoofer or two away…
Safety Technology
All Envista and stablemate Chevy Trax models come with GM’s Driver Confidence Package. When you are competing against safety suites from other manufacturers, such as Toyota, you need to offer a lot of bang for the buck. The GM package includes six active safety and driver-assistance technologies, such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam auto high-beams, forward collision alert, and front pedestrian braking. A high-definition Rear Vision Camera is also standard. On the Avenir model, you also get Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
With a pretty exterior, nice interior, and all of today’s tech goodies, the Envista Avenir delivers on the price-to-amenities ratio. My tester came in at just over $30K. With dealerships willing to make a deal, this often-overlooked brand should be on anyone’s shopping list.
