Buick today unveiled the successor to the Encore, which was discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year after enjoying good success in Canada.
Dubbed the Envista and expected to hit the market this summer, this all-new entry-level subcompact model shares several design cues with the redesigned 2024 Encore GX, which will hit dealerships in late spring. However, it stands out with its sportier coupé-like silhouette.
Three versions are on the menu: Preferred, Sport Touring (ST) and Avenir. The second displays touches of black and the last favors chrome on a uniform body color. All embody Buick’s new image and feature its new logo just in front of the hood.
Photo: Buick
We like the horizontally stretched headlights and taillights, as well as the upper outline of the side windows that extends towards the trunk to accentuate the streamlined look of the Envista. Note that the rims available measure 18 or 19 inches.
More space and connectivity
Inside, the presentation of the Buick Envista is frankly more modern than that of the defunct Encore and is more in line with the 2024 Encore GX, at least in terms of the configurable 8-inch digital instrument panel and the central screen. 11-inch driver-facing touch screen, both placed side-by-side behind the same glass surface.
The redesigned infotainment system that powers it all includes voice recognition, a customizable home screen and more easily accessible features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is wireless.
Photo: Buick
The flat-bottomed steering wheel gives the Envista a little sporty edge. Ditto for the stitching and contrasting emblems on the seats. Also, without giving the dimensions, Buick talks about a longer wheelbase that provides better legroom, comparable to that of a compact SUV.
An optional electric 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 accommodates objects up to 7.5 feet diagonally.
One small motor
Like the next-generation 2024 Chevrolet Trax, the Envista makes do with a small, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Power and torque are 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft, respectively, well below the 155 horsepower 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. It will not be possible to have an all-wheel drive. The company promises an average fuel consumption of around 7.8 L/100 km (exact figure to come).
Photo: Buick
A strong point is the array 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 striking design, standard technology and affordable luxury, it’s hard to beat in the class,” said Buick Vice President Duncan Aldred. .
The 2024 Buick Envista will go into production in May and go on sale this summer. Its Canadian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but naturally it will cost less than the Encore GX, whose outgoing model starts at $26,748.