Kelley Blue Book's video: 2024 Buick Envista First Drive

For the latest Buick Envista pricing and information: https://www.kbb.com/buick/envista/ The Buick Envista a five-passenger crossover from the company that some folks may be wondering if they were even still around. It’s got a sporty shape, see that slopped roofline, that means sporty. This is actually the first vehicle that wears what will be Buick’s new design language so take it all in. It’s got a new face, which if I’m honest I don’t dislike. Those squinty headlamps look like they could be on a proper performance SUV. The rear thee-quarter angle gets a bit complicated for me, lots of pointy shapes and what looks like long brushstrokes, which do give the Envista a feeling of movement when it’s standing still. But, hey, what do you think? When we get inside it’s pleasant, but it’s not something that feels ground-breaking, if that even is possible anymore. It gets large screens on high trim grades, which if it’s premium it should, and leather do dads everywhere. I can see what Buick did with the shapes in here, they’re not completely sharp angles but again look elongated giving everything a soften and elegant feel, less, German. Total that’s 19-inches of screen up front and even the base model gets an 11-inch screen, which is according to Buick the largest in the segment. Of course you’ll get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as wireless charging – at this point those features are a must on anything that wants to call itself premium. When it comes to cargo space you get 20.7 cu-ft behind the second row, and when that goes down you’re looking at 42 cu-ft. That first number is more than the Lexus UX, Acura MDX and the Volvo XC40. Since, we’re on it, the Buick Envista counts all those as competitors. As well as the Mazda CX-30. Under the hood you’ll get a 1.2-liter Turbo 3-cylinder. Yes, that’s right. It makes 136 horsepower combined with 162 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration? Zip? Pep? Does it feel underpowered since that seems like such a small number? Regardless of what you might think about that engine it does check off boxes in the efficiency department (graphic: mpg: 28 city/32 hwy). Gas engines are becoming so much smarter, I feel like we’re just getting to the good stuff with them. The Envista comes standard with the Buick Driver Confidence package that includes automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist with lane departure warnings, but you can also opt for more features such as side blind zone alerts, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alerts. But something Buick really wants you to know about is pricing. The Envista has a starting price of $23,500 for the base Preferred trim. The top Avenir trim starts under $30,000 and $29,600. In a world of high-pricey vehicles, that’s actually at the level of a comparably equipped mid-priced vehicle like the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V, only those are all demonstrably less sporty and European looking than the Envista. Will we be hearing a ton more about this vehicle? That remains to be seen, but it’s doing its best to make at least a compact splash. It’s got nice design, good interior space, a comfortable ride with an efficient powertrain and some good tech. Overall, solid. Do we need it? I think a better question is what else are you looking for? 00:00 2024 Buick Envista 0:32 Exterior 1:34 Interior 4:40 Competitors 4:50 Engine 5:11 Driving Impressions