If it’s a subcompact crossover that you’re after, then GM has a few options on the table, including the all-new 2024 Buick Envista, as well as the all-new 2024 Chevy Trax. However, while both of these vehicles ride on the GM VSS-F platform (sometimes known internally at GM as 9G), they provide a very different driving experience. Now, GM Authority is exploring the reason why.
For those readers who may have missed it, GM Authority got an opportunity to drive the 2024 Buick Envista and the 2024 Chevy Trax last year, providing us with firsthand experience behind the wheel of both all-new crossovers.
Comparing the experiences, the Chevy Trax was sharp, connected, and agile. In fact, we even went so far as to call the new Trax the “Corvette of its segment” with regard to handling in our first drive review.
By comparison, the Buick Envista is totally different, with the Tri-Shield brand’s crossover feeling nowhere near as sharp or agile as the Trax, but rather, much softer and more plush.
To find out why this is the case, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft asked GM chassis engineers in a recent interview, who told us that this was done on purpose, “as [GM] wanted to give the Buick a different feel, that reined youthful feel.”
More specifically, the different bushing rates are what really differentiates the driving feeling on offer from these two vehicles, with the Buick Envista equipped with softer bushings, as compared to the harder bushings in the Chevy Trax.
It’s also worth noting that the Buick Envista offers a Watts Link rear suspension setup, whereas the Chevy Trax does not. The Envista’s Watts Link rear suspension is only available with the Experience Buick Package (RPO code PCJ), which includes a power moonroof. The Experience Buick Package is available for the Envista ST and standard on the Avenir, and not available for the Preferred trim.
As a reminder, both the Chevy Trax and the Buick Envista cradle the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine, and both are produced in South Korea (Envista at the GM Bupyeong plant, and Trax at the GM Changwon plant).
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Comments
Jonathan, what can you or Alex say about the expected reliability and lifespan of the engine in the Buick Envista and Chevy Trax?
Thanks for clarifying that the Avenir comes standard with the Watts link and a moonroof. The Buick site Build Your Own for the Avenir is a mess. It has the moonroof as a standalone $795 option when it should be the Advanced Safety Package which is a $795 option. I always see that Buick ranks low on J D Power surveys of website experience and now I can see why. Hard to believe they can’t even get Build Your Own correct.
Now, anything with a sloping roof line and uncomfortable back seat is called a 4 door coupe. It’s silly because Envista looks like a raised sedan
They are both nice vehicles that are very affordable. They hit that mark. I still can’t believe that the Envista doesn’t have a rear window wiper.
I was at a fairly large Buick Dealership yesterday getting my vehicle serviced. The best-looking vehicle in the showroom was a loaded White Frost Tricoat Buick Envista Avenir with the Pebble Gray interior.
I’ve Had The Envista Avenir Since Oct. and I Can Honestly Say That The Envista Doesn’t Need a Rear Wiper, Rain Or Snow! When i First Use My Car i Brush The Snow Off and Then The Rear Defroster Takes Over! As For The Rain The Rush Of Air and The Way The Rear Window Is Sloped Blows The Rain Off!
A coupe has two doors, dummies!
GM has been slowly rebuilding the Chevrolet brand with most entries placing third or better in their segments.
I wish GM would give Chevrolet the same attention to detail as is given to shrinking Buick. Envista would have been a great new Cruise. This would help it beat more Japanese brands as it relates to reliability, value and owner satisfaction.
Simcoe has been great for GM exterior design!
With a 1.2 liter. I can already see that it’s gonna be painfully slow and not gonna hold up. The Koreans are putting bigger engines in their small cars. It might be a good lease but not to buy
Looked at a few in my local dealership, it’s reasonably attractive, but Avenir trim is definitely required to avoid the homliness of the base trim. The problem this thing has is the used car market. For the cost of a new avenir, one can choose from a ton of lightly used luxury sedans. I’ll take a used caddy or Mercedes over a subcompact 3 cylinder even with the warranty.
It’s a softer ride because Buicks are geared to elderly and Chinese drivers.
So same springs and shocks in both?
Wish the article would have been more specific about which bushings. What’s the other vehicle have instead of a watts link?
Why is the Envista gallery empty? The Trax has a ton of pics in it. Being 67, I had to chuckle that most of you thought that the Buick rode softer than the Chevy. Because, back in the day, anything else would have been blasphemy LOL. However, I am somewhat surprised that there is such a noticeable difference with the cars being almost twins. There are only 2 things that they do not share as far as I know, the Envista has a leather seating option as well as a power liftgate option in the Avnair.
The Trax is certainly a screaming deal at $21.5k for the base car. The Preferred Envista looks to be at a disadvantage at $23.5, until you compare the standard equipment. To match the equipment between the two, the Trax would have to be the LT at $23.4k, and if you add metallic paint for the Buick, it is only $600 more. The Buick also includes a cargo cover, lit vanity mirrors on both sides, a six speaker stereo, and padding on the door armrests, console armrest, and the seats, that the Trax apparently lacks. The Buick also lacks a rear wiper, but it is claimed that it isn’t needed.
So, the Envista is a nicer car for about the same money. I’ve poured over numerous reviews, and the conclusion has been the Trax is a great deal, but uncomfortable touch points and seats and a crap stereo let it down, whereas the Buick doesn’t have those flaws. Further, no level of the Trax offers a better interior that even equals the Preferred Envista, much less the considerably upgraded interior of the Avenir, which still offers a good deal when fully loaded at under $32k with EVERYTHING on it. Not to mention the quieter and better ride.
I can see the Trax appealing to younger buyers who value price over everything else, and can put up with some discomfort, but otherwise the Buick seems like a much better choice for most other people. The biggest problem I see is that there just aren’t any around to even look at.
I’ve been shopping for one of these for
around a month . The base Trax? Try to
find one at that 21.5k price point that isn’t taken or laden down with a bunch of dealer add on fluff.
The Buick? Found many ads for Preferred level trim at $22995 price . Cars are in holding lots under various recalls .
I just want to buy a basic car . And yet the BS continues .