Buick’s Envista Avenir – LUXURY AND A BARGAIN

Buick’s Envista Avenir

LUXURY AND A BARGAIN

A century ago, Buick was  ‘the doctor’s car’; the brand was known for reliability, practicality, and enough luxury to project success without being ostentatious.

In the early 20^th century, doctors made house calls at night, often to rural areas with challenging roads. Getting paid was always an issue, and pulling up in a Cadillac gave the impression that the doctor had more than enough money. 

So common was this sense that from 1924 to 1928, Buick had remarkable success selling the Doctor Coupe, or Model 24-48. It looked like Ford’s ubiquitous Model A with similar design features—full-length running boards, a massive windshield, and a formidable folding hood. In reality, the Doctor Coupe was much more massive and included a jump seat that could accommodate a couple of children, a medical bag, and a set of golf clubs. 

Unlike the rudimentary and small inline-fours found in Fords, the Doctor Coupe had a massive six-cylinder engine, which is the chief reason for its claim to reliability.

In the past two decades, Buick has found remarkable success replicating the formula of the early 20th century with affordable, luxurious, and reliable cars. The brand frequently wins accolades for initial quality from JD Powers and durability from Consumer Reports readers and editors, though the record can be spotty. 

For instance, in 2020 Buick jumped 14 places to fourth in CR’’s annual reliability index but dropped seven spots in 2022. Buick was about average this year, landing behind Asian carmakers but slightly ahead of the American pack.

How can that be? An excellent good place to start is with the all-new Envista. This strikingly designed, affordable luxury compact crossover drives and feels like a generic Asian commuter car because that is what it is.

One of 10 products General Motors assembles at Its Bupyeong plant in South Korea, the Envista gets 3% of its parts from North America. The 1.2L, three-cylinder engine that powers it comes from another GM plant in Mexico.

The Envista has a long wheelbase, low roof, and sleek profile drawn from Buick’s Wildcat prototype. It caters to young professionals, families, and value-conscious buyers seeking sophistication, practicality, and affordability.

Price Points and Appeal

• Preferred: $23,495, includes 17-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, automatic climate controls, 11-inch infotainment screen, limited driver-assist technology such as auto high beams, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.
• Sport Touring: $25,195, adds 18-inch wheels, black synthetic leather seating, and black exterior trim items.
• Avenir: $29,695, includes 19-inch wheels, leather seating, heated front seats, and adaptive cruise control.

A full suite of driver-assist technology, such as blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, power and heated side mirrors, and cross-traffic alert, is a $795 option. Our Avenir tester had that, pushing the sticker price to $30,490, with $1,085 delivery included.

Powertrain

The Envista comes in a single powertrain configuration: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower paired with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

The engine is buzzy under heavy throttle and vibrates more than we would like at idle. While acceleration is adequate for city driving, power may be insufficient for highway passing or those seeking a spirited driving experience.

We continue to be skeptical of tiny, turbocharged engines. Their chief benefit is improved fuel economy, and the Envista delivers close to 30 mpg in combined driving. That must sound good to those who—like frogs in a pot—have grown accustomed to leaving hundreds of dollars every month at gas stations, but in the third decade of the 21st century, it is not.

For example, the 2024 Kia Niro hybrid delivers 53 mpg and costs the same or less. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is roomier, delivers 42 mpg, and is much more dependable.

GM uses this same engine in a wide range of products and has few fans among mechanics. The tiny aluminum engine operates under intense pressure. Engines of this type frequently develop issues related to oil pushing past the rings into systems not designed to manage it. 

The 1.2-L Ecotec is known for start-stop system issues, evaporative emission control systems, and carbon buildup on valves. In forums, mechanics say to expect serious issues as 50,000 to 60,000 miles, and by 150,000 to 160,000 miles—when most Toyotas and Hondas are just getting broken in—the little Ecotec costs more to repair than replace.

The standard warranty includes three years/36,000 miles of basic coverage and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. I would not take delivery of one until the dealer agreed to provide an extended warranty at dealer cost, which runs 50% to 60% of the asking price.

Cabin

The Envista Avenir’s cabin presents a highlight. Upscale materials like soft-touch surfaces and contrast stitching elevate the perceived value. The design is clean and contemporary, while the fit and finish are above par.

We found the interior noisy, especially on the miles and miles of chip-seal highways that sprawl across northeast Texas.

Standard is an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that is fine for commutes but gets hard on long drives. 

Cargo Space

With 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Envista Avenir offers sufficient capacity for everyday errands and grocery shopping. While not ideal for large families embarking on extended road trips, it is well-suited for weekend getaways or hauling weekend sports equipment for active families.

What others say:

• Edmunds: Praises the Envista Avenir’s comfortable ride, competitive price point, and surprisingly peppy engine for city driving. However, they criticize the lack of available all-wheel drive and hard plastics.
• Car and Driver: While impressed with the interior design and handling, C&D editors found the three-cylinder engine underpowered and wished all-wheel drive were available.
• Motor Trend: Lauds the Envista Avenir’s luxurious feel and standard features for the price but highlights the limited cargo space and lack of engine options.
• Consumer Reports: Awards a buy recommendation with 65 out of 100 points. The Envista comes in fifth of seven luxury entry-level cars, but the others all have starting prices that are $10,000 to $15,000 higher than the Envista’s. 

Bottom line

The 2024 Buick Envista Avenir offers a sophisticated and comfortable driving experience at a competitive price. While the powertrain may not enthrall driving enthusiasts, the upscale interior, standard features, and focus on comfort make it a compelling option for young professionals, families, and value-conscious buyers seeking a refined subcompact SUV for urban adventures.

A smart way to obtain one is to lease. Buick is offering a 24-month lease for $199 a month, with $4,356 due at signing.