Buick’s Envista crossover is built with forward thinking

BUICK

Buick’s brand-new Envista crossover has a futuristic design and solid handling that could use a bit more horsepower.

Buick has retooled its image several times to attract younger buyers to the brand.

Heck, the company works hard to get anyone to look at its lineup, which now includes only crossovers and SUVs. Buick has introduced an all-new crossover called the Envista to get younger folk interested in buying a car again.

The Envista is designed to seat five comfortably despite it being Buick’s smallest and least expensive offering. Its design is futuristic compared to other vehicles in the class. The look is sleek and upscale. The exterior looks more fastback than hatchback. Buick calls it a crossover, but many may settle on mini-SUV. My test vehicle had the ST (sports touring) trim which gives you a blacked-out grille, black wheel well accents and 18-inch black painted wheels. My car had the optional 19-inch wheels.

The interior is as special as the exterior. The Mercedes-Benz inspired curved digital dash is stylish and a welcome surprise in a car this affordable. The gauge cluster can be changed to display different into. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wireless and are displayed on the touch screen to the right of the gauges. The screen is responsive and bright, but many controls are only available via the screen. Trying to do something like adjusting the audio system’s tone controls wasn’t an easy process but it can be done.

All the seats are comfortable, but the front passengers have it best. The driver’s seat is power operated with adjustable lumbar. Both passenger and driver’s seats are heated and have enough padding to support you on long trips.

Head, leg and hip room is good for two people riding in the rear. It’s tighter for three but the flat floor makes it easy on the middle passenger.

The Envista is powered by a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 pounds-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels by a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is currently not an option.

The turbo engine is a solid unit, but more horsepower would be appreciated. The engine does feel peppy on the highway. There is enough oomph to get you through traffic with no problem but passing may take some planning. The engine becomes coarse under hard acceleration, but thing settle down once top gear is reached.

The Envista’s handling can best be described as solid. You will not be looking for outback to explore nor will you seek twisty roads. More than likely trips to the grocery stores, movies theaters and other pedestrian tasks. That’s not shade because this what the Envista is designed to do, and it does its job very well.

The ride is comfortable. The suspension keeps a lot of the bad stuff from reaching the cabin. The cabin is also fairly quiet on most road surfaces.

The Envista’s strongest suit is its value. The ST version comes with a lot of standard equipment such as keyless start, six-speaker audio system, a suite of safety equipment, 11-inch infotainment touch screen, active noise canceling, heated power mirrors, digital gauge cluster and three months of satellite radio. You get all of them for $24,100.

Four options packages were added which included power driver’s seat, power moonroof, adaptive cruise control, power rear lift gate, wireless charging, heated steering wheel and front seats, keyless entry and Moonstone Grey metallic paint.

Throw in destination charges and the as-tested price is 29,070.

Finding a new car with generous equipment for under $30,000 is difficult but Buick has not only made it easy, but meaningful.

Pros:

• All-new model

• Exceptional value

• Generous equipment level

• Spacious interior

• Good fuel economy

• Elegant styling

Cons:

• Needs more power

• Some interior pieces are low grade

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