Buick has plans to add Envista to its US lineup. It’s a mystery when it will debut, though we hope it will be this year. The crossover is already on sale in China, so its design isn’t a complete mystery. However, our hawk spy photographer was able to catch the new model being tested in the top-tier Avenir trim that should be on its way to the US.
The Envista Avenir is different from the Envista our photographer captured last week. The Avenir sports chrome trim, which is most visible around the greenhouse and garnishes the rear quarter panel. The crossover also wears camouflage, unlike its siblings.
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The camo partially covers the front fascia, a piece of the rear bumper and the taillights. The grille and lower front fascia on the Avenir are unique, and we wish the rear bumper and taillights had their own design touches. Another difference is the trim along the bottom. The Avenir’s body color, while the previous test vehicle was gray.
Powertrain options are still a mystery, but in China it uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The engine produces 185 horsepower (135 kilowatts), sending power to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. The crossover can reach 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 7.9 seconds. The crossover could get a bigger, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for the US, giving the model more power in a competitive market.
The Chinese model’s cabin features a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster. Buick offers wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and a 360-degree camera system, all of which should make their way to US-bound models.
The Envista measures 186.2 inches (4,638 millimeters), which makes it 0.1 inches longer than the Envision. However, the Envision has a longer wheelbase – 109.4 inches (2,799 mm) versus 106.3 inches (2,700 mm). The Envision is also taller, making it a bit more practical than the stylish Envista. The crossover sports a sleek new design language that will influence future Buick models. This crossover looks ready for US showrooms, so we hope its debut isn’t too far away.
