Car names are curious things. Back in the ’80s, Mitsubishi introduced a funky-looking crossover called the Minica Lettuce. Probably its first “green” car.
Then there was a Honda minivan that sold in Japan called the Vamos Hobio Travel Dog. It was around the time that Isuzu offered the Bighorn Plaisir. And Mazda introduced a pair of work trucks called the Titan Dump and Light Dump.
And who at Ford ever thought that Probe was a great idea? It was up there with Chevrolet calling it’s sporty coupe the Nova, which is Spanish for “doesn’t go”.
Which brings me to Buick’s brand new Envista. Nothing too wrong with Envista; it just sounds like a new prescription drug to increase bone density for the over 60s. Or a new insurance plan from Progressive.
Pity it wasn’t a more inspiring name as this compact Buick crossover is one of the true surprise and delight offerings of 2023, with terrific styling, high quality and an eye-popping price tag.
How eye-popping? The all-bells-and-whistles, loaded-to-the-roof Envista Avenir that I’ve just spent a week piloting, stickers at just $29,695 out the door. That’s roughly the cost of a weekly shop at Publix.
And pricing for the three-model Envista line-up kicks off at just $23,495 for the Preferred model, with the Envista ST, or Sport Touring, starting at $25,195.
The surprise and delight here is that from every angle this buffed Buick looks way more expensive and upscale than it is.
See it out on the street and it turns heads like a Taylor Swift sighting at a . Kansas City Chiefs game. Yes, it’s a Heinz 57 of design cues, blending a hatchback, with a sports coupe, with a tall-riding crossover.
But the way that roofline swoops to the rear, the dramatic look of the front end, the sharp body lines, and lovely polished 19-inch rims, makes it a visual delight.
Of course, there’s a reason for that low price. Under the hoodsits a teeny 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with roughly the power of a ride-on Toro mower. And while it looks as if it should have all-wheel drive, it’s front-drive only.
But while the greasy bits are a little sub-par – they’re all based on Chevrolet’s Trax crossover and, like the Chevy, built in GM’s plant in South Korea – the Envista is way above par when you open the door.
On the flagship Avenir version, it’s all soft, perforated leather, a leather-trimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, upscale satin metal detailing, and a cool 11-inch glass infotainment touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The cabin is surprisingly roomy too, with comfy, super-supportive power front seats, and rear seats with enough and headroom for a couple or three six-foot-tall passengers.
In the rear there’s no shortage of luggage space. Pop the power liftgate and there’s 20 cubic feet of room with the 60/40-split rear seat in place, and 42 with the seats folded. There are PODS storage units with less space.
As for that Toro-sized 1.2-liter tri-cylinder, it’s thankfully turbocharged, though its 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, on paper, doesn’t sound too exciting.
But here’s another surprise and delight. Out on the road, it’s the little engine that could, punching the Buick off the line with gusto and never feeling lacking when merging with freeway traffic, or passing lumbering 18-wheelers.
Its small capacity also means pretty great gas mileage. On a 500-plus-mile drive across state, it averaged a creditable 32 to the gallon, and I wasn’t hanging around. Cruising at 75 on I-75 is impressively quiet and refined.
Through the twisty bits the baby Buick is plenty of fun to drive, courtesy of precise, nicely-weighted steering, plenty of grip, and a firm but supple ride. Body lean through curves is well contained.
Of course there’s no shortage of competition in this hot section on the market. Mazda’s CX-30, Subaru’s Crosstrek, Honda’s HR-V, Kia’s Seltos and Hyundai’s Kona to name a few.
But this new Envista, especially the upscale Avenir version, has the looks and the value to set it apart.
