2024 Buick Envista Review

The 2024 Envista is an all-new Buick aiming to fulfill drivers’ demands within its increasingly popular subcompact SUV segment. Starting at $22,400, the Envista undermines the notion that affordability and quality can’t go hand in hand. Despite its low entry-level cost, Buick’s Envista features a stylish exterior and quality cargo capacity for its size—all while seating five passengers comfortably with ample front and rear row legroom. 

MotoPickers Rating: 7.7/10

This subcompact SUV’s cabin is also serene, with QuietTuning active noise cancellation capability, while its wide infotainment display reflects modern trends. Regarding performance, expect the 2024 Envista to deliver solid mileage.

Whether you’re loyal to the Buick brand or are considering one of the automaker’s models for the first time, MotoPickers’ review of the 2024 Envista will streamline your shopping decision by highlighting the pros and cons of this SUV so you can make a confident purchase without having to spend hours performing research through endless sources.

Learn all about the 2024 Buick Envista below to determine whether or not it’s worth a test drive.

Exterior design spotlight 

Buick’s Envista boasts an exterior with model-exclusive accents flowing organically throughout the vehicle, forming a coherent design. Making a quality first impression is easy thanks to this SUV’s signature LED daytime running lamps, which are complemented by a sprawling low-mounted grille that solidifies its sporty look. 

Attractive upgrades for the 2024 Envista include a more distinctive Black Ice chrome grille, while body-colored lower front and rear fascias bookend trims like the Avenir. Buick offers drivers three trim options within the Envista lineup, with variants like the Sport Touring containing a sleek gloss-black mesh grille.

Function-driven design elements within this subcompact SUV include an available power liftgate offering seamless access to the rear cargo storage area. Regarding wheel options, MotoPickers enjoys the refined, contemporary look of the optional 18” two-toned machined aluminum wheels—especially with the unique spoke pattern.

Buick offers the following 2024 Envista exterior colors:

• Summit white
• Mystic moon metallic
• Copper ice metallic 
• Ebony twilight metallic
• Cinnabar metallic
• Moonstone gray metallic
• White frost tricoat
• Ocean blue metallic

A new Buick tri-shield badge further distinguishes this SUV’s bold exterior. Read highlights and lowlights about the 2024 Envista’s interior to see if it matches the outside’s design prowess. 

An interior full of surprises 

QuietTuning noise-cancellation technology isn’t the only perk that the 2024 Envista interior has to offer. Buick complements this peaceful cabin environment with materials excelling in form and function, like quality cloth seating with leatherette trim and accent stitching. Cargo capacity within this vehicle is competitive for its segment at 20.7 cubic feet (cu. ft.), which is more than rivals like the 2024 model years Volvo XC90s, Infiniti QX60s, Lexus RXs, and Acura’s MDX—all of which cost considerably more. 

If you need additional cargo room, 40/60 split-folding rear seats allow you to create extra storage space at a moment’s notice. For more satisfying night drives, consider selecting the Envista’s available ambient lighting, which features white, red, blue, green, and purple interior color projections. 

Buick enhances passenger comfort within its 2024 Envista with the available 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, which also contains 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support. The Envista also contains performance-inspired features like a flat-bottom steering wheel. However, this steering wheel style doesn’t exactly match the model’s tepid horsepower rating, which we’ll explore later in our review’s performance section.

This subcompact SUV’s cabin benefits from the presence of its available moonroof, which creates an airy feel with more natural light entering the cabin. When the moonroof’s closed, automatic climate control and four USB charging slots keep passengers comfortable and connected.

Technology and infotainment 

The 2024 Envista doesn’t force you to make sacrifices with infotainment display size for its accessible price. This HD color touchscreen’s 11” width is highly competitive, especially when you consider that luxury models with starting prices near the $50,000 mark, such as the Lexus 2024 RX, contain smaller displays. This subcompact SUV also offers a customizable 8” Driver Information Center Display projecting vital road data like your speed, fuel level, and available navigation directions. 

Standard wireless smartphone compatibility pairs well with this infotainment presentation, giving you streamlined access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Prospective Envista drivers looking to increase their cabin’s clutter-free capabilities can opt for the model’s available wireless smartphone charging.

Subscription-based services are becoming increasingly prevalent in new vehicles. While some drivers may dislike subscription-based services for their added costs, Buick provides three years of the OnStar Remote Access Plan on Preferred and Sport Touring trims and three years of the OnStar Premium Plan and in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot data within the Avenir variant.

The Remote Access Plan allows you to perform vehicle functions like unlocking and locking doors from your smartphone through the myBuick Mobile App. An OnStar Premium Plan optimizes passenger connectivity and security with features like automatic emergency calling following an accident, while the Wi-Fi hotspot can support up to seven devices.

Performance and driving experience 

While performance isn’t one of this vehicle’s primary strengths, it excels in maneuverability and ride comfort, acting as a reliable option for varied driving preferences. This SUV’s maneuverability stems from its subcompact design, and the smoothness comes courtesy of the advanced optional Watts Link rear suspension, which is a standard offering within the Avenir trim. 

This Buick’s powertrain isn’t anything to write home about in terms of speed capability. Its 1.2L Turbo ECOTEC engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, focuses on efficiency, delivering 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.

When you hit the highway, available Adaptive Cruise Control manages the Envista’s performance with semi-autonomous technology that keeps you at a safe distance from the vehicle you’re following via automatic braking and acceleration, foreshadowing the capabilities of its standard safety suite.

Safety and driver assistance features 

Buick groups the Envista’s advanced standard safety features under its Driver Confidence package. These features include: 

• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision alert
• IntelliBeam auto high beams
• Following distance indicator
• Front pedestrian braking
• Lane keep assist with lane departure warning 

One significant feature within this safety technology suite is the IntelliBeam auto high beams system, which automatically deactivates your brights during night drives when sensing oncoming traffic before switching back for when the coast is clear. Still, competing standard safety suites, like Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ system, are more comprehensive with nine features instead of the Buick Driver Confidence Package’s six.

Additional features within Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ not present within the Envista are road sign assist and lane tracing assist. The former system projects real-time road sign information onto your infotainment display to keep you present behind the wheel, while lane tracing assist centers you within your lane using driver alerts and automatic steering inputs when necessary. However, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ doesn’t offer standard front pedestrian braking.

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) haven’t released test grades for the 2024 Envista, which might deter some shoppers looking to verify their vehicle’s crash protection capabilities. 

Available safety features

Drivers seeking more peace of mind behind the wheel can benefit from selecting one of the 2024 Envista’s many available safety features. This subcompact SUV offers the following add-on safety systems:

• Rear Park Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
• Rainsense front wipers and Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Automatic-dimming outside driver mirror (Avenir trim only)
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert 

Let’s get down to brass tacks and evaluate the starting prices and best features within each of the 2024 Envista’s three trims.

Preferred – $22,400

Preferred isn’t a bad name for the entry-level Envista, considering its starting price is what most drivers would prefer to pay on vehicles within this segment, but lack options. The 11” infotainment display and 8” driver information center add a high-tech feel inside the Preferred trim, while cloth leatherette seating and a 40/60 split-folding rear seat strike a balance between form and function. 

Sport Touring – $24,100

Moving up into the Sport Touring trim gives the 2024 Envista a sportier ambiance. Its trim-exclusive grille has a gloss black finish and a unique mesh pattern that’s more dynamic than the standard grade grille.

Avenir – $28,600

Opting for the top Avenir trim gives you premiere features like 19” aluminum wheels with a pearl nickel finish and leather-appointed front-row seats, which also contain embroideries of the Avenir name on their headrests.

Real-world owner feedback

The team at MotoPickers works hard to accurately report vehicle specs using trusted sources—but we also recognize that advertised features from automakers are only part of the equation when it comes to conducting a thorough evaluation. Reading real-world 2024 Envista owner feedback helps ensure you have realistic expectations regarding a vehicle’s capabilities that you can verify during a test drive to better guide your shopping.

Envista owner Jay on Edmunds describes the model as an excellent SUV for its price but notes that he feels its seats are too small for trips longer than two hours, which slightly undermines reports of the interior’s comfort through elements like its optional well-tuned rear suspension. Jay also mentions that Envista doesn’t have a rear window wiper. While Buick’s engineers believe this model has enough airflow to skip a rear window wiper, the design decision may present more challenges for drivers regularly navigating extreme climates.

Another Envista owner, Dave, described his qualm with one of this SUV’s safety specs, or lack thereof, in Edmunds’ customer feedback section: “A major disappointment in the advanced safety package is it doesn’t include rear parking sensors. Those are an additional $195 add which I would have gladly paid, but upon searching around Envistas on dealers lot, none of the preferred and most ST did not have them included as options. I firmly believe they should be included with the advanced safety package.”

Based on 25 reviews, the 2024 received a solid 4/5-star Edmunds owner feedback rating.

Cost of ownership and resale value 

It’s too soon to evaluate the potential resale value of this SUV, given that the 2024 model year represents its debut. Still, you can get ahead of the curve by learning about this model’s warranty coverage, which plays a vital role in fostering peak resale value.

The Envista’s basic warranty covers most of its parts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, except for wear-and-tear items. The powertrain warranty provides coverage for five years or 60,000 miles on the SUV’s engine drivetrain components and transmission. 

Drivers who live in areas of the US, like the Northeast, can benefit from Envista’s corrosion warranty, which lasts six years or 100,000 miles. Envista customers receive Buick’s 24/7 roadside assistance support for five years or 60,000 miles. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is included for one visit during an Envista owner’s first year of driving.

You’ll find that the Envista’s warranty coverage is on-par with competitors. Still, it beats rivals like Honda’s HR-V and Mazda’s CX-30 with an additional year of corrosion protection and two more years of roadside assistance coverage.

Final verdict 

While many of Envista’s most appealing features are sold as upgrades, the model’s streamlined inventory of three trims, with a competitive base price and a $6,200 difference from the entry-level to the peak variant, reflects its genuine value. 

After digesting owner feedback, it’s clear that many purchasers of this SUV emphasize value as the model’s primary draw. The Envista holds a more affordable starting price than popular 2024 subcompact SUVs like Mazda’s CX-40, Hyundai’s Kona, Honda’s HR-V, and Ford’s EcoSport. While its accessible entry price may involve some compromises in areas like horsepower performance or standard safety features, the Envista makes up for these shortcomings with quality mileage, a stylish exterior, and sizable displays for its segment.

MotoPickers scores the 2024 Buick Envista at 7.7/10 and recommends mitigating any of this SUV’s potential drawbacks by selecting a Sport Touring or Avenir trim better equipped for the road ahead.