Buick has been transformed into a crossover-only brand in North America, so it’s interesting to learn the 2024 Envista will be targeting an unlikely audience – sedan owners.
That’s the word from company officials who told us the crossover coupe aims to keep Buick sedan owners in the family. That’s probably less of a stretch than it sounds as the Envista is front-wheel drive only and starts at $23,495. For comparison, the 2017 Verano began at $21,990 while the 2020 Regal sailed off into the sunset with a $26,295 sticker.
Buick’s ambitions are far greater than keeping current customers around and they want the Envista to become a “conquest champion for GM.” The model also aims to introduce customers to the new Buick, which is more focused on style and technology.
Review: 2024 Buick Envista Proves Entry-Level Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
Buick Envista Avenir
Given this and its distinctive crossover coupe design, Buick doesn’t see a direct competitor to the Envista. Instead, it’s expected to appeal to a mix of sedan and crossover buyers in the $20,000 to $30,000 price range. As a result, the model is set to compete with everything from the $21,775 Nissan Kicks to the $22,795 Toyota Corolla. Those are just two examples, but there’s no shortage of potential rivals including the $21,215 Kia Soul.
That’s a pretty diverse group and Buick is looking to win customers over with the “driving dynamics of a sedan” combined with the “versatility of an SUV.” The company also aims to entice buyers with “unexpected upgrades” that “surprise and delight in ways few vehicles can at [this] price point.”
The latter are an Envista strong suit as the crossover comes standard with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11-inch infotainment system. The model can also be equipped with adaptive cruise control and a heated steering wheel, which is a rarity on an entry-level vehicle.
Another welcome surprise is a truly spacious second row with 38.7 inches (983 mm) of legroom. That dwarfs virtually everything else in its price range as the model has 5.3 inches (135 mm) more room than the Kicks and 2.7 inches (69 mm) more than the pricier Encore GX. The Envista even bests the $27,315 Toyota Camry, which only offers 38 inches (965 mm) of rear seat legroom.
