2024 Buick Envista ST Delivers Efficiency in Style

The Envista is the latest addition to Buick’s all-SUV lineup. It stands proudly at the front as the brand’s entry model. It’s a subcompact “Baby Buick” with a considerable amount of style for value. 

The 2024 Buick Envista is available in three trim levels: the Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir. They all share the same turbo-aided three-cylinder engine to drive the front wheels. So, distinguishing between the three comes down to interior features and the caliper of bling on the wheels. For example, the Envista ST wears 18-inch gloss black painted wheels compared to the standard 19-inch Pearl Nickel aluminum wheels on the Avenir. But you can opt for 19-inch black painted aluminum wheels on the ST like the ones shown in this article. Buick allows customers to choose top-tier features on lower trim levels, which is something I appreciate in an automaker. 

That’s not to say that the mid-range Buick Envista ST doesn’t come pre-loaded with a silver tray of bells and whistles. Standard interior features include front and rear USB charging ports, keyless ignition, a noise-canceling interior cabin, Bluetooth with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD rear vision backup camera, lane assist, and automatic emergency braking. The dashboard consists of an 11-inch color HD touchscreen and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster housed in one elegant diagonal panel. The rear seats fold down to give you station wagon levels of cargo space. 

Moreover, the ST trim includes blue stitching on the seats and interior, providing a hint of color to the Ebony seats. Speaking of color, the Ocean Blue Metallic exterior color garnered many compliments from the general public. I am pleased that Buick offers two shades of red and copper tan in addition to the usual black, white and silver options.

The blue paintwork allowed sunlight to dance across the small SUV’s chiseled design. It almost looks like a sci-fi inspired escape capsule from the back with its wind tunnel shaped roofline. At the front, the sharp angled headlights and leading role jawline bear a striking resemblance to the robotic mask of Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit. 

Under the hood beats an endearing 1.2L three-cylinder engine breathing through a turbocharger to produce 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Envista shares the same platform and powertrain with the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, and like the Trax, this little SUV scoots and scampers through traffic with ease. Granted, it won’t win a drag race, but from zero to 50 mph, you’ll be surprised at how hard those three pistons can pump. It almost gets decent fuel economy with an EPA-rated 28 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway, and it projects 400 miles of range with a full tank. 

Driving impressions are better than expected. The Envista balances a light touch steering and a forgiving ride with responsive controls. However, you better call shotgun as the front seats are more comfortable than the rear. But there’s plenty of leg and headroom to make up for the occasional thump felt when driving over a pothole or speed bump. 

This baby Buick delivers the essentials regarding interior space, fuel economy, and value. MSRPs start in the low 20s, with $25,000 for the Sport Touring and $29,000 for the Avenir. Savvy shoppers can choose a lower-tier model with specific options to get the most plush for their buck while keeping their heads under the $30,000 ceiling.

Compared to other reasonably priced subcompacts in this vehicle segment, the Buick Envista stands out in style. 

Engine: 1.2L Turbo Three-Cylinder

Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic

0 to 60: 9.3 seconds

Starting Price: $23,495 (Preferred)

Price as Shown: $29,070 (Sport Touring)