More power? Maybe a hybrid?
To keep the price down, the 2024 Buick Envista is only offered with a single powertrain: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque going out to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. That combination won't set any quarter-mile records, but it does achieve a GM-estimated 30 miles per gallon and help keep the base price down to just $23,495 (with destination).
No other powertrains will be available at launch, but speaking with Buick representatives at the launch event for the new Envista, CarBuzz learned that alternatives have not been ruled out. “There are always a bunch of different powertrains in consideration,” said Matt Scholl, product manager for the Envista. “But I can't mention anything specific.”
In the Chinese market, the Envista is positioned higher in the Buick lineup, above the Encore GX. That market gets a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 181 hp and 183 lb-ft going out through a continuously variable transmission. We already know that engine fits under the hood of the Envista, but bringing it to the US market might be easier said than done. The US already gets a version of that engine in the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, but those models are produced locally in North America.
The US-spec Envista is built in South Korea in the same factory that produces the Encore GX, Chevy Trailblazer, and Trax. None of those vehicles get the 1.5-liter engine, only the Envista's 1.2-liter or a larger 1.3-liter three-cylinder. The Envista sold in China with the four-cylinder is built locally for that market.
If the 1.5-liter engine does not make it to the US, we'd love to see Buick offer the Envista with a hybrid option. General Motors has a few “affordable” electric vehicles in the pipeline, including the $30,000 Equinox EV. However, even that will be roughly $7,000 more than the Envista. We'd love to see something in the mid-$20,000 range that can achieve around 40 mpg.
The Envista is also a pretty attractive car, influenced by the drop-dead gorgeous Wildcat Concept. The name “Envista” was actually inspired by a different pretty concept car, the Avista, from 2016 (pictured below).
A Buick executive told CarBuzz that the product planning team wanted to use the Avista name, but they were advised that all new Buick models have to start with “en.” Someone at the back of the room reportedly yelled out, “What about Envista?!” And the name stuck.
Keyword: Buick Envista Poised To Gain New Engine Options