The Roomy Rear Seats and Tech in the 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring Are Impressive for Under $26K

If you had told me five years ago that Buick would be producing one of the most stylish, value-packed small crossovers on the market, I probably would have asked you to repeat yourself. But here I am, fresh off a week-long test drive with the 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring, and honestly, this thing made me look twice more than once. Not just because of its surprisingly premium design or the way it handles city and suburban streets with such grace, but because Buick has finally found a way to make its vehicles feel both youthful and mature without trying too hard.

This review is based on my personal experience driving the 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring for a full week, living with it as an everyday driver, testing it in varied conditions, and seeing how it slots into the very competitive subcompact crossover segment. And spoiler alert - the handling and styling are genuinely standout.

Let’s break it down.

What’s New in the 2025 Buick Envista? 

The Envista was introduced just last year, so changes for 2025 are subtle but worth noting. Buick sharpened the grille design, added minor refinements to some trim elements, and slightly revised the software for the infotainment system. It still comes in three trims: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. My test vehicle was the middle trim — the Sport Touring — which strikes a strong balance between price, features, and visual appeal.

Where the Avenir trim brings more interior luxury touches, the Sport Touring trim brings sharper driving character thanks to its Watts-link rear suspension and bold exterior details. You’ll notice blacked-out 18-inch wheels, a gloss-black mesh grille, and black Buick badging that gives this crossover a confident presence on the road.

Exterior Design: This Isn’t Your Dad’s Buick 

Let’s talk about looks. 

With the coupe-like roofline, sculpted body panels, and narrow LED headlights, the Envista doesn’t scream “entry-level crossover.” Rather, it feels like a premium European-inspired compact SUV. This approach follows the design language Buick debuted on the Wildcat EV concept, and one that continues to shape the brand’s modern lineup. I remember covering that concept and how it signaled Buick’s shift to contemporary elegance

Buick went bold here, and it paid off. This is one of the few subcompact crossovers that pulls off a coupe-like roofline without looking awkward or cramped. The sloping roof, long hood, and short overhangs give the Envista a planted stance. It sits confidently in a way that feels more European than American.

From the front, the narrow LED signature lights and broad grille give it an upscale look that had a few people asking me what kind of luxury car it was. Most were surprised when I said “Buick.” That’s a good thing. Buick is clearly trying to change its image, and with the Envista, it feels like they’re finally hitting that mark.

This is not just a rebadged economy crossover with a few chrome accents. The body lines are sculpted. The rear taper is clean and modern. And in the Sport Touring trim, the black accents really pop against colors like Ocean Blue Metallic or Copper Ice. It feels confident. Not aggressive, but assured. There’s a difference.

Interior Design and Cabin Quality: Surprisingly Sophisticated 

Step inside and you’re greeted with an interior that looks far more expensive than the window sticker suggests. My tester had the flat-bottomed Sport Touring steering wheel, contrast stitching on the seats, and a wide digital display that instantly makes the cabin feel modern.

What impressed me most was the material quality. Sure, there are some hard plastics lower down, but that’s to be expected in this price range. The dashboard and upper doors feature soft-touch materials. The stitching is real. The buttons have a satisfying tactile feel. And everything is where it should be. Buick’s design team kept things simple and functional, but not boring.

There’s an overall sense of calm in this cabin. Buick has done a great job reducing road and wind noise. It’s not whisper quiet like a full EV, but for a crossover in the mid-$20,000 range, it’s very well insulated.

Infotainment and Touchscreen: A High Point 

The tech setup in the 2025 Envista Sport Touring is one of its strongest suits. It features an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, both housed within a single glass panel that looks elegant and cohesive. This design reminds me of luxury brands that cost significantly more.

The interface is responsive and clean. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and during my time with the car, I didn’t experience any lag or dropped connections. Navigation, music streaming, and phone integration were seamless.

There’s also a wireless charging pad, which is well placed and holds your phone securely. The menus are logically organized, and I appreciated that there are still physical controls for volume and climate - something many automakers are eliminating, to their own detriment.

Second-Row Seating: Where the Envista Breaks the Mold 

Here’s where the Envista really surprised me. Despite the sleek roofline, the rear seat space is excellent for a subcompact. I’m 6 feet tall, and with the driver’s seat set for me, I could comfortably sit behind myself with ample knee and headroom. This is not something I say often in this segment.

Rear passengers get decent amenities, too, including USB-C charging ports and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The seats themselves are supportive, and the rear doors open wide enough to make loading in a child seat relatively painless.

If you’re someone who regularly drives friends, family, or clients in the back, the Envista won’t make you feel like you’re cramming them into an afterthought.

Cargo Space 2025 Envista: A Bit of a Trade-Off 

This is where form slightly compromises function. The 2025 Envista offers around 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 42 cubic feet with them folded. That’s smaller than some competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V.

The liftgate opens wide and the load floor is relatively low, which helps, but the sloping roofline limits vertical cargo space. If you’re the type who frequently hauls large gear, boxes, or baby strollers, it’s something to keep in mind. You’ll want to evaluate your real-world needs here.

For my purposes - groceries, camera gear, light luggage - it was more than sufficient. Just don’t expect moving-day utility.

Driving Experience: It Surprised Me, In a Good Way 

Now let’s talk about how it drives. And here’s where I genuinely didn’t expect to be as impressed as I was.

The 2025 Envista Sport Touring is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. On paper, that’s modest. And yes, it’s not a rocket ship. But on the road, it feels peppy enough for daily driving. The torque delivery is smooth, and the transmission, while not the quickest, behaves predictably.

The standout is the chassis: the Watts-link rear suspension offers boundary-pushing composure for the class, echoing the praise Torque News gave the Avenir ride quality. This setup gives the Envista a more planted, composed ride compared to most competitors. It corners flatter, feels more stable over broken pavement, and absorbs bumps better than I expected. This is where Buick’s chassis tuning really shines.

Steering is light but accurate. The brake pedal feel is linear. And the overall ride quality is one of the best in this segment, hands down.

I drove it through rain, city traffic, highway cruising, and even some twisty backroads just to test its limits. No, it’s not a Mazda CX-30 in terms of driver engagement, but it’s far from numb. It walks the line between comfort and confidence beautifully.

Fuel Economy and Practical Use 

EPA estimates come in around 30 mpg combined, 28/32 for city/highway respectively. That’s solid for a vehicle of this size and certainly better than many small SUVs that trade fuel efficiency for AWD or larger engines.

There’s no all-wheel drive option for the Envista, which may be a deal-breaker for some, especially in snowy climates. But if you live in an area where front-wheel drive is sufficient and you’re prioritizing comfort and efficiency, this setup works very well.

Consumer Reports ranks the Envista highly in its entry-level luxury lineup of 10 cheap car recommendations, keeping it in the top five segment picks thanks to its value, mpg, and affordability. Reliability predictions are positive too, with JD Power expecting an 85+ score.

What Torque News Readers Will Appreciate Many of us have followed Buick’s comeback, from the Wildcat EV teaser to revamping both the Envista and Envision. This model is part of a bold new vision, as Buick matches style, tech, and daily driver comfort - all while trimming perceived premium value. If you’ve considered the Envista Avenir for more luxury, the Sport Touring gives you 90‑plus percent of that feel - Watts-link suspension, sleek styling, and tech sophistication - for several thousand less. That’s real value.

How the Envista Compares to the Chevrolet Trax and Mazda CX-30

Although the 2025 Buick Envista shares its platform with the Chevrolet Trax, it offers a noticeably more refined driving experience. The Trax is positioned as a budget-friendly option and lacks the Watts-link rear suspension found in the Envista Sport Touring and Avenir trims. That suspension alone gives the Buick a more composed, smoother ride, especially over uneven pavement or during cornering. On the inside, the Envista steps ahead with a larger infotainment screen, a more upscale dashboard layout, and Buick’s quiet cabin tuning. If you’re deciding between the two, the Trax may win on initial price, but the Envista offers more long-term comfort and class.

Comparing it to the Mazda CX-30 adds another layer of complexity. The CX-30 is the driver’s crossover - it feels sportier, with more engaging handling and stronger engine options. But the Envista counters with significantly better rear-seat space and a calmer ride. Mazda’s interior quality is strong, but Buick has caught up with the Envista, especially in the Avenir trim. If your daily drive prioritizes serenity, tech ease, and passenger comfort over sporty road feel, the Envista deserves a hard look: especially at a price point that still undercuts a well-equipped CX-30 by several thousand dollars.

Should You Be Worried About the 3-Cylinder Engine?

The 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in the 2025 Envista Sport Touring may raise some eyebrows, especially among drivers used to traditional 4-cylinder or even V6 configurations. On paper, 137 horsepower sounds modest—and it is—but this engine’s 162 lb-ft of torque is available early, which helps the Envista feel responsive in city driving and during highway merges. It won’t win drag races, but it doesn’t feel sluggish or breathless in everyday conditions. The 6-speed automatic transmission may seem dated in the era of 8- and 10-speeds, but it shifts smoothly and predictably, and that consistency actually enhances drivability for many commuters.

Buick engineers have also tuned the engine for smooth operation, so the typical gruffness of a 3-cylinder is barely noticeable. If your top priorities are refinement and efficiency, this powertrain will likely meet or exceed your expectations. However, if you live in hilly terrain or routinely drive with a full load, you may want to test drive it first and see how it handles under stress.

What the Watts-Link Rear Suspension Actually Does for You

One of the most underrated features of the 2025 Envista Sport Touring is its Watts-link rear suspension, which isn't something you typically find in vehicles under $30,000. Most subcompact crossovers use a simple torsion-beam rear suspension, which keeps costs down but often results in less composed handling and more road noise or body lean during turns. The Watts-link setup, which is usually reserved for more performance-oriented or premium vehicles, offers better lateral stability and improved ride comfort over bumpy roads. You feel this immediately when the Envista glides through corners with confidence or soaks up rough patches with less drama than you'd expect from a budget-friendly crossover.

This type of suspension also pays dividends in daily comfort and long-distance refinement. Whether you're navigating pothole-ridden city streets or cruising on the highway, the vehicle remains more balanced and sure-footed. That added stability means fewer corrections from the driver, a quieter cabin experience, and a more relaxing ride for passengers. Buick doesn’t just talk about premium feel — they baked it into the chassis, and the Watts-link system is a big part of what makes the Sport Touring feel like a class above. If you're the type of buyer who appreciates nuanced engineering that improves real-world usability, this detail alone makes the Sport Touring trim worth the step up from the base model.

Final Thoughts: A Premium Commuter Without the Premium Price 

After seven days behind the wheel, I came away thinking this: the 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring is one of the most balanced subcompact crossovers on the market right now. It’s not flashy in the performance department, but it more than makes up for that with refined handling, excellent ride quality, upscale tech, and standout design.

This is not a crossover trying to be all things to all people. It knows its mission - to deliver comfort, efficiency, and style at a price point that makes sense - and it hits that mark with surprising accuracy.

It’s a car you can confidently recommend to someone who wants more than what a basic commuter can offer, but doesn’t want to jump into luxury territory either.

Over to You: What Would Make You Choose It? 

Now I want to hear from you.

Would you take the refined comfort and coupe-like design of the Envista Sport Touring over the extra cargo space and all-wheel drive of something like the Honda HR-V or Toyota Corolla Cross? And if you’ve already bought one, what has your experience been like so far? Has the real-world performance met your expectations?

Let me know your thoughts and your story in the comments section below. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Images by Armen Hareyan.