Buick today unveiled the successor to the Encore, which was discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year after finding good success in Canada.
Dubbed the Envista, this all-new entry-level small car, expected to launch this summer, shares several design cues with the redesigned 2024 Encore GX, due to hit dealerships in late spring. However, it stands out due to its sportier, coupé-like silhouette.
Three versions are on the menu: Preferred, Sport Touring (ST) and Avenir. The second shows a hint of black and the last prefers chrome on a uniform body color. All embody Buick’s new image and feature the new logo just in front of the hood.
Photo: Buick
We like the horizontally stretched headlights and taillights, and the upper contour of the side windows that extends toward the trunk to emphasize the Envista’s streamlined look. Note that the available rims measure 18 or 19 inches.
More space and connectivity
Inside, the Buick Envista’s presentation is frankly more modern than that of the defunct Encore, and more in line with the 2024 Encore GX, at least as far as the configurable 8-inch digital instrument panel and central 11-inch driver-side touchscreen are concerned, both side-by-side placed behind the same glass surface.
The redesigned infotainment system that powers it all includes voice recognition, a customizable home screen and more accessible features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated wirelessly.
Photo: Buick
The flat-bottomed steering wheel gives the Envista a little sporty touch. Ditto for the stitching and contrasting emblems on the seats. Even without specifying the dimensions, Buick speaks of a longer wheelbase, which offers better legroom, comparable to that of a compact SUV.
An optional power tailgate provides access to the trunk, which has a volume of 586 liters. Folding the rear seats 60/40 gives a total of 1,190 liters (about 200 less than in the Encore) and can accommodate items up to 7.5 feet diagonally.
A small engine
Like the next-generation Chevrolet Trax 2024, the Envista comes with a small, supercharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Power and torque, at 136 hp and 162 lb-ft, respectively, are well below the 155 hp and 177 lb-ft of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder Buick offered in the Encore.
A six-speed automatic transmission is included and only the front wheels drive the vehicle. There will be no all-wheel drive. The company promises an average consumption of around 7.8 L/100 km (exact value follows).
Photo: Buick
A strength is the suite of safety and driver assistance features. In Canada, all trims include Lane Departure Warning with Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
“When you consider everything the Envista has to offer, including its eye-catching design, standard technology and affordable luxury, it’s hard to beat in its class,” said Duncan Aldred, Buick vice president.
The 2024 Buick Envista will begin production in May and go on sale this summer. Canadian pricing has yet to be confirmed, but of course it will cost less than the Encore GX, whose outgoing model starts at $26,748.