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2024 Buick Envista Review: Looks like $60,000, costs less than $30,000

Pros: Compelling design; ample space for the segment; quiet and refined driving experience; punchy and efficient engine; well-equipped; low price Cons: All-wheel drive not available; armrests are a bit hard The 2024 Buick Envista is one of the best, most competitive and most relevant cars to come out of General Motors in a long time. It is wildly impressive and truly surprising. We had multiple people guess the Copper Ice test car pictured above cost $60,000 or even $80,000, and we agree that it certainly looks expensive. And yet, that Sport Touring test car stickers for $29,070 and isn’t even the top-of-the-line. That puts it in the heart of the subcompact SUV segment, but it boasts one of the biggest back seats and cargo areas in that segment. You certainly wouldnÂ’t guess that by looking at its rakish roofline. Its interior looks almost as good as the exterior, and provides lots of features for the money, including tech that looks great and is easy to use. It is rare for a car to be both a sensible choice and an emotional one, but the Envista is just that. So, how can the Envista be such a bargain in these inflationary times? Being built in Korea rather than by North American union members probably helps. Another key reason, though, is Buick cutting costs in smart areas. The engine is not powerful and its 0-60-mph time in the mid-9-second range is on the slow side, but when behind the wheel, the little turbocharged three-cylinder is punchy around town, its pleasingly snarl-like noise is nicely quelled by ample sound deadening, and its six-speed automatic transmission (perhaps a cost savings itself) does its job without fuss unlike the complicated transmissions of most rivals. The interior also sees the sort of hard plastics indicative of its segment, but the plastics donÂ’t look cheap and are mostly in places where your hands and elbows donÂ’t touch. The lack of all-wheel drive might be a dealbreaker for some, but otherwise, its cons are either justified by the low price or covered up by thoughtful design and engineering. ThatÂ’s a mark of the best inexpensive cars. The new Buick Envista is one of them. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2024? The Envista is an all-new model for 2024. What are the Envista interior and in-car technology like?

2022 Buick Enclave reportedly getting Black Accent package

Buick's updated Enclave crossover will go on sale later in 2021 with a revised design and a longer list of standard features. When it lands, it will reportedly be offered with a dealer-installed blacked-out appearance package. Enthusiast website GM Authority learned the optional Black Accent package will consist of black mesh inserts in the grille and black trim on the hatch; these bits are bright in the standard 2022 Enclave (pictured). They'll be installed by the selling dealer, meaning the Enclave won't leave the factory with the Black Accent package, and the bundle has been assigned Regular Production Option (RPO) code PDM; every General Motors option gets an RPO code. Not all trim levels will be eligible to receive the Black Accent package. It'll be available on the Premium and Essence trim, according to the same source, but it will not be compatible with the range-topping Avenir trim. Additionally, buyers won't be able to tick the Black Accent box if they've also selected the Essence trim's Sport Touring Edition package or the Luxury Package that can be fitted to the Premium and Essence trim levels. Pricing information isn't available yet, though the package will reportedly not be available at launch. Buick hasn't commented on the report, and it hasn't announced plans to make a Black Accent package available on the Enclave. If the rumor is accurate, more information and official photos will be released in the coming months. Related video: 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir revealed

Pre-owned bargain alert: Buick Regal

For the past couple of years, Buick has been very aggressive in promoting short-term low-mileage leasing. The plan was to get people in the door to experience the new Buick. Once they realized Buicks are now sleek and full of Euro Chic, people might want to buy one. It's debatable if that plan worked, but one thing is for sure: There's a massive amount of low-mileage Buick Regals out there. The price of Regals is all over the map due to lease returns and dealers aggressively discounting 2015 models to get rid of them. But at the $17,500–20,000 range there are a good number of 2013 to 2015 Regals with under 15k miles for sale. The Regal might come with 2.0L Turbo or 2.4L Hybrid. The Hybrid is a bit slow; stick with the Turbo and drive with the traction control off. They all come moderately equipped with leather, heated seats, alloy wheels, and dual-zone climate control. If you have a little more cash to spend, go for the 2012/2013 Regal GS, which is based on the Opel Insignia OPC. The Regal GS comes with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft from a turbo engine and a HiPerStrut suspension to reduce torque steer. They all come standard with Brembo brakes, navigation, sunroof, and premium sound system, in automatic or manual. Just make sure you budget money in your savings to replace the front tires. Trust me on this. You can purchase a Camry or Accord with some equipment for under $20,000 with a bit more miles and years than the Regal. But ultimately the Regal feels more premium, drives better, and is less boring. Make the right choice and buy something unique.Related Video: