Buick models are known for their elevated sense of luxury without a lofty price tag. Inside and out, Buick’s vehicles can compete with any luxury or non-luxury SUV lineup, whether you’re looking for a solo commuter or a spacious model to fit the whole family. While some drivers find themselves searching out a used Buick dealer to experience the manufacturer’s celebrated selection of vehicles, the 2024 model lineup is bringing something truly special to the SUV world. This is certainly demonstrated in the popular Encore GX, but what about the new Envista?
The Envista makes its debut in 2023 for the 2024 model year. Affordably priced, this crossover coupe is attractive inside and out. It is also quite spacious with its 106.3-inch wheelbase. It has slightly more space than the Encore GX, but the Encore GX is still regarded as a vehicle with a generous amount of room for people and cargo.
Which Buick will reign supreme for 2024? It is hard to say, since they both have many great features going for them. If you are thinking about adding a new Buick to your garage this year, read on to learn more about the Encore GX and Envista to get a better idea of what each one has to offer.
What’s New for 2024
The 2024 Buick Encore GX receives multiple revisions for the model year, starting with updated exterior lighting, a revised front grille, and resculpted front and rear bumpers. Buick’s revised Tri-Shield logo is emblazoned on the freshly designed wheels.
Inside, the Encore GX receives a 19-inch digital dashboard, which is a major tech trend for the new model year. Eleven inches of this dashboard are relegated to the infotainment system, and the other eight inches are given to the driver information display. A fresh new wireless device charger is available, and wireless smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard.
The new Sport Touring trim level takes the place of the Select in the middle of the lineup. The Sport Touring is adorned with a gloss-black mesh front grille, aluminum wheels finished in black, and a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Avenir replaces the former Essence trim level, and upgrades the cabin with leather upholstery, fancy embroidered headrests, and an air ionizer to create a cleaner in-cabin air quality.
Of course, the Envista is completely new, top to bottom, inside and out. It is exclusively a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle that is powered by a 1.2L turbocharged engine. It comes in three trim levels: the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. The Envista will also have the 19-inch digital dashboard that comes on the Encore GX, and it will include many of the same advanced driver aids found on the Encore GX as well.
Performance Specs
Performance is likely to be somewhat similar between the Encore GX and Envista. Both are powered by a standard 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder engine that serves up 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. For the Encore GX, an optional 1.3L turbo three-cylinder engine produces 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, and a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is standard issue. It is also available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Neither the 1.3L engine nor all-wheel drive (AWD) are available on the Envista. It will have not the CVT of the Encore GX, but a six-speed automatic transmission equipped. The 1.2L engine is not exactly peppy, but it is fuel savvy. It is estimated to get about 30 miles per gallon in combined driving, though EPA ratings are not yet available. Both Buick models should achieve somewhere around this estimate, making them exceedingly similar in terms of fuel efficiency.
Other standard features that will come on the 2024 Encore GX, and likely on the Envista, include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, automatic emergency braking, an electronic parking brake, and an engine air filtration monitor. A push-button start and keyless entry come standard on all trim levels. If you need to do some light towing, a trailer hitch can be added to give the Encore GX a max towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, but Envista towing figures have not yet been released..
Interior Designs
Inside of the cabins, the Encore GX and Envista should look somewhat similar, with some differences here and there. The Encore GX has a six-way manually adjustable driver seat, but you can upgrade to an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat. The Buckle To Drive system reminds the driver and front passenger to buckle up before taking off, and a removable cargo cover helps keep your items safe from prying eyes.
The cabin features two charging ports, one USB Type-A and one USB Type-C, on the back of the center console. A single-zone automatic climate control system comes on the Encore GX’s two lower trim levels, while the Avenir receives a dual-zone automatic climate control system, something that should cross over on the Envista Avenir.
Since it has a longer wheelbase, the Envista adds 4.1 inches of between-the-wheel space, giving it more cabin room. That is aided by the 11.2 extra inches of length as compared to the smaller Encore GX.
Tech Gadgets
Buick models are loaded with technological features, and the Envista and Encore GX are no exception. The 11-inch infotainment system includes Bluetooth audio streaming for up to two devices at once, and comes with voice command. A six-speaker sound system is standard, but a premium seven-speaker Bose sound system is available on the Sport Touring and Avenir trim levels. The sound quality on the latter is utterly crisp and might make you feel as though you are at a concert, not sitting in your car and jamming out to your favorite tunes. What’s more, a three-month subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio is included, so you can find even more music to rock out to in your Buick.
All trim levels are outfitted with Wi-Fi hotspot compatibility. Also, wireless charging is available across the lineup if you wish to reduce cord clutter for charging up your phone.
Safety Features
Buick vehicles like the Encore GX and Envista receive a slew of standard and available safety features, including a bundle of advanced driver aids. Named the Buick Driver Confidence package, this suite of driver assistance features is standard on all trim levels. It includes:
- IntelliBeam auto high-beam assist
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Following Distance Indicator
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- Forward Collision Alert
An HD Rear Vision Camera is included across the lineup as well, giving you the ability to see obstacles in your path that you need to avoid. HD Surround Vision is optional and gives you selectable digital camera views of everything immediately surrounding your Buick. Teen Driver is another standard safety feature that can come in handy, as it promotes safe driving habits among young drivers.
Which Buick Better Suits Your Needs?
Buick vehicles are built to be comfortable and luxurious without an outrageous price tag. The Encore GX and all-new Envista are proof of this, and they are indeed quite similar in many regards. Powered by the same engine and outfitted with many similar features, these two Buicks have a lot to offer buyers.
The one big difference they have is their size. If you don’t mind having a little less space, the Encore GX might be more your speed. However, the Envista gives you more passenger room with its longer wheelbase. If space is what you need, the Envista might cater better to your requirements. Either way, it is hard to go wrong with these comfortable and chic Buicks.
