2025 Buick Envista Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Although far from perfect, the Buick Envista remains a stylish and affordable option in the subcompact SUV segment. After its debut as a completely new nameplate for 2024, replacing the Encore, the Envista receives minimal updates for 2025. As Buick’s entry-level SUV, it slots below the Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave in terms of pricing.
Need a more spacious Buick? Read about the Envision here.
What’s New
- Rear parking sensors standard on all trims
- Remote start standard on Preferred and Sport Touring
- E85 flex fuel capability
- Aquamarine Blue Metallic paint color now available
- Sunrise Red Metallic paint color no longer available
- Copper Ice Metallic paint color removed from Sport Touring
- White Frost Tricoat paint color removed from Preferred and Sport Touring
What We Think
Inspired by the Wildcat EV concept, the Envista’s slinky, fastback silhouette makes a good impression. But our tests have revealed a few areas where its performance doesn’t match up to its styling. The transmission sometimes feels confused, and although the ride is generally quiet and composed, the suspension struggles with rougher surfaces, detracting from the overall driving experience.
Inside, the Envista’s well-appointed cabin belies its low price. We like a lot of the materials and design choices, although the abundance of black plastics feels more appropriate on a Chevy than a Buick. Although it’s far from our top choice among subcompact SUVs, the Envista could make sense for a buyer who wants to stand out from the crowd.
Performance and MPGs
The 2025 Buick Envista features a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. With such little power comes slow acceleration. In our tests, the Envista sauntered to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 28/32 mpg city/highway on regular gas (20/24 mpg when using E85).
Safety Ratings and Features
The Envista earns mixed ratings from IIHS. The SUV received Good grades in the agency’s small overlap front and original moderate overlap front tests, but it gets a Poor result in the updated moderate overlap front test. In the updated side test, the 2025 Envista[KL1] receives an Acceptable score. Headlights are rated Marginal, one notch above Poor.
Every 2025 Envista comes with the Buick Driver Confidence package. Features include lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beams, rear parking sensors, and a following distance indicator. Available driver awareness features consist of adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Legroom within the Envista compares favorably to the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona. The Buick also offers more cargo capacity behind the second row than the Mazda.
Technology
An 11.0-inch touchscreen, 8.0-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, six speakers, and active noise cancelling are standard with each Envista grade. Available features include a wireless phone charger, heated front seats with a power driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and cabin air filtration. All the equipment is standard with the Avenir top trim.
Recommended Trim
The 2025 Buick Envista is available in three trims this year: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. We think the Avenir trim is the best, mostly because pricing for the loaded top model starts just under $30,000, a relatively modest sum. As for the base trim, it’s priced at roughly $25,000.
