The U.S.-spec 2024 Buick Envista made its official debut in April of the 2023 calendar year, dropping in as the Tri-Shield brand’s affordable, small, premium crossover. However, despite its “premium” aspirations, the Buick Envista currently does not offer a premium / up-level sound system from a high-end sound equipment manufacturer, such as Bose. And that could be seen as somewhat strange – so why is this the case?
To find out, GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft asked Buick assistant marketing manager Jaztan Teen why the Buick Envista doesn’t offer a premium / up-level sound system.
“Six speakers is the standard and only sound system [in the Buick Envista]. With this vehicle, there were decisions we had to make – do we want to offer Bose for a $700 dollar premium, or do we want to have the largest screen in the small SUV segment?” Teen told GM Authority.
The 2024 Buick Envista is equipped as standard with an 11-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen and an eight-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center, which includes Bluetooth audio streaming for two active devices, voice command pass-through to compatible smartphones, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.
Indeed, while the standard six-speaker audio system could be seen as lacking in the eyes (and ears) of some audiophiles, GM Authority found the stereo to be more than adequate during our firsthand experience with the new 2024 Envista.
“It sounds pretty good. In the five R&B and Hip Hop songs I played on the Envista’s speakers, I didn’t hear much distortion or other negative audio qualities,” says GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft.
As a reminder, the 2024 Envista cradles the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine as standard across the lineup, with maximum output rated at 136 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The GM VSS-F vehicle set provides the underpinnings.
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Comments
No, it doesn’t get one because it’s not appropriate in this price slot. Geez, you folks want to option this and the Trax up to $40K. Brain transplants on order.
The Bose is an option. Some people want a small crossover with nice interior and audio. The Bose wouldn’t be standard so if some don’t want it they don’t need to.
Silly to call this a “premium” segment crossover and not offer very basic premium features. Premium audio options have been common in this segment for 2 decades
Correct, this is why option sheets exist. Having a Bose option should make the build that much more complex…
Likely to streamline assembly variations. Not putting it in as a $700 options because of a larger screen doesn’t make sense. The larger screen standard increases the base price than having a smaller screen. But only offering one screen saves Buick some money overall on supply and assembly since it’s all the same – have 2 screen sizes (or two speaker options) changes harnesses, dashes, bezels, molds, supply, brackets, assembline variation, etc.
The Bose would be a premium feature and only increase the price of upper trims should the buyer want it, it doesn’t impact the entry pricing like a standard large screen does.
I think this was a logistics decision and nothing to do with “helping the customer”.
Gm has the reason why they do the things they do we know that. I don’t really care about the sound system. I would have just liked the 1.3t or the 1.5t engine as an option. I know the 1.3t is available in the Encore GX, but that vehicle has extra weight so it doesn’t perform any better. And we know the 1.5 fits in this and the Trax, that is what they offer in China.
GM has this huge, gaping hole in their lineup….anyone who doesn’t want to spend $40k-$$45k or more…they simply cannot get a suv/crossover that is mid-level performance (0-60 close to 7, quarter mile in the 15.5-16 second range). Just give me/us an under $40k crossover (or two), it can be small, that can come close to those ‘middling’ performance figures.
It was reasons like this that made Cadillac stale in the 2000s. Premium features shouldn’t be an option on a luxury car. I mean come on, buick competes with Hyundai,Mazda, infiniti,etc
Hog Wash. I just picked up 2024 Corvette this week with the 2lt option that gives me a 14 speaker Bose premium now i know it’s in the higher line of cars but what I want to mention is that the infotainment display in the corvette can’t be any bigger than the 11” in the Buick. So if they can cram a premium system in a 2 seater then they should be giving the consumer here the option to upgrade. Just my opinion here !
Your Vette must be atleast $70k. At that price it damn well better have a badge on those speakers. In fact, it should even be the Bose Panaray system in the CT6 Platinum.
I’d choose the Bose over the touchscreen.
Same. I would much rather take a premium sound system and premium materials over touch screens. A basic touchscreen is fine for extended features but my gauge cluster doesn’t need it. I miss the days where paying a premium on a car meant having nice feeling HVAC knobs. A screen feels the same in a $400k Rolls-Royce than it does in a $25k Chevrolet.
Bean Counters still making decisions at GM, “base” speakers in a suv / car probably cost the manufacturer about $10-$15 per speaker, “Bose” might cost $20- $25 per speaker. Hilarious!
My Bolt EUV has a Bose system, they could have offered it at least.
Price sells this car, not unlimited options. The shape of the car actually enhances the sound. The bean counters were on the ball this time.
Standard does not mean bad. Sound system is very important to me. When i bought my $0@3 Malibu they offered a “premium” Pion..er” branded system and i went back and forth lisfening to the same cd wlwith 2 cars in the lot (surprisingly the stereo will work without the key!). After a lot of side by side comparison anx tweaking tone contfols thde standard syztem was sooo much beter and the premium system added a hofrible artifical sound. I have 3 other cars with Bose systems and the standard system has a wonderful and natural sound at normal bolume levels because it alzo adds some impact to certain frequesncie that is not artifical but imprkves the mick in drums (no not booming bazs, just more ofa dynamic kick) and when i go back into my Bose systemz yes the bass gloes to lower frequencies but the GM added subtle but important improvement is welcomed. I would he happy to pay a premium price for that standard system, so IF Buicks is similar, i would be perfectly happy with it. I remember seeing a comment in Malibu literature that mentioned a standard premium system …it was not just marketing. Having said all that, for mafmeting purposes they really should have offered a branded system because people arent going to believe a stanxard syztem can sound so good.
Suppose I have a powered subwoofer installed into the six speaker mix. Wouldn’t that work out even better than getting the imaginary Bose system? And yes I sadly agree about Bose. They have watered down the quality of their audio gear in my opinion. It’s still fairly good but not great as it once was! ♐
I love my Bose system on my 2019 Camaro SS 1LE.
Did your Camaro SS cost $22K?
I wish GM Buick Had some light paint colors to choose from for the Envista!!! Most colors are on the dark side!!! No real silver and no Beige. No cool light grey color either. No Sapphire Blue either. Why do they need to white paint colors??? Work on your colors Buick!!!