2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring
Price: $32,621 CAD
Colour: Cinnabar Metallic
I drove the Buick Encore last year and it was an okay car. “Meh” sprung to mind at the time. There was nothing wrong with the car per se as it delivered a decent drive and largely acceptable performance all things considered. The problem I had with that car was the price and fuel economy. I couldn’t understand why I’d want a 3-cylinder engine if it didn’t give me great economy figures, which the Encore didn’t. Buick has stayed the course with the Envista as it also has a 3-cylinder pop box under the hood. I wasn’t enthusiastic about hopping behind the wheel of this car, but it didn’t completely disappoint me or sap my will to live. I know this is damming with faint praise, but the car was better than I expected. Combine that with a (in the current new car market) very acceptable price point and everything you’d need in the equipment department and you’ve got an SUV that isn’t brilliant but does “okay” pretty well.
Power & Performance
The 3-cylinder wonder in the Envista is a 1.2L turbo-charged Ecotec unit offering up 137hp and 162 lb/ft of torque. I expected this engine to be horrific because small 3-cylinders are the preserve of European and Asian manufacturers and not something the Yanks have every been very good at. I assumed it would rev itself to pieces every time I put my foot down and simply give up in highway passing scenarios. While it won’t win any races it does get the job done when asked. I never felt like I came up terribly short in the power department when I needed the car to give me what I required. The 6-speed auto almost always had the right gear for me and didn’t leave me hanging. This was a surprise and pleasant one.
Fuel economy in the Envista averaged 8.1L/100 kms during my time with the car. This fuel economy number is fine and nothing to complain about. I would liked to have seen something a little better to justify the sacrifices involved in 3-cylinder motoring but it’s still a 3000lb car and that exacts a price on the fuel economy.
Exterior
The 2025 Buick Envista is a pretty little SUV. I have few complaints with its looks. The Envista is blessed with the “sportback” styling we’re seeing on so many SUVs these days and it works well with the overall aesthetic of the car. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this car in person, and it was a pleasant surprise in the looks department.
Interior
When I was a kid most cars people bought were purchased because they fit the budget available at the time. As long as they worked and used as little fuel as possible, we didn’t worry too much about the quality of the interior accoutrements. Times have changed over the last 30 years, and our standards have risen. I kept this in mind as I judged the interior of the Envista. It’s not good. But it’s also not bad. It really is okay. It fits the overall theme of this car perfectly. You won’t be amazed by the low-grade plastics and synthetic feeling leatherette (I know, leatherette is synthetic by its very nature but work with me folks), but at the same time you can look at the car and go “yeah, but it’s what I can afford, and it does what I need it to.” I have to respect that.
The Envista has a dash cluster featuring an 11” infotainment screen and 8” cluster for the driver. This is a curious bit of tech as it has a lot of glass but not all of it is screen. It initially made me chuckle but then I came to appreciate its quaintness. The infotainment does everything you need it to. The rear camera is actually pretty clear and useful. Everything is within easy reach and visible while driving. The cluster tells the drive what we need to know and leaves the fancy gubbins for cars with much higher price points.
You get separate HVAC controls, a proper shifter for the autobox and two normal sized cupholders in the center console. Steering wheel controls are acceptable and even surprising as the trigger controls behind the steering wheel surprised me as you don’t see those everyday anymore.
I would be easy to beat up the Envista for it’s lack of upscale interior bits but I can’t do it. I have to respect this thing for knowing what it is and what its intended to be. It’s an okay car and it knows there’s nothing wrong with that. I can’t help but agree.
Quality
Will the 2025 Buick Envista go 500,000 kms without missing a beat? No idea. A wise man who knows GM’s history with small turbos wouldn’t bet on it but only time will tell how the 1.2L will hold up. I hope it’s better made than those that came before it. Add to that a solid if unremarkable interior and you get a vehicle with quality measured firmly in the “okay” range.
CQI – 8. I was surprised but no Velcro carpet in the Envista. Small wonders. Well done Buick.
Value
The price point of the Envista will help it appeal to those who want something new that’s closer to 30k than 40. This mid-level ST trim is all you need for a car like this and spending any more is a waste. It’s got lots of competitors, but it makes a good case for itself.
Final Thoughts
Is “okay” acceptable in a new car offering? If it comes at the right price point it is. I sometimes wonder how long we can tolerate the endless price increases of new vehicles driven not just by legislation but an insatiable need for the best and the latest. Are there enough of us to support something that does what we need it to and nothing more? I hope so. I hope those people give the Envista a look and consider it. It’s a middle of the road jack of all trades. It does nothing great and very few things poorly. That adds up to a winner depending on one’s expectations.
