Michael Satterfield
The 2025 Buick Envista lineup offers a compelling range of features and trims for buyers who want a blend of style, practicality, and technology in a compact crossover. Comparing the Sport Touring and Avenir trim levels reveals differences in luxury, features, and pricing. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and see how the Sport Touring stacks up against its more upscale sibling, the Avenir.
Exterior and Styling:
Sport Touring: The Sport Touring model exudes a youthful and sporty appeal, especially with the optional Aquamarine Blue Metallic paint, which gives it a vibrant and modern look. The exterior features unique blacked-out elements, such as the grille and roof rails, adding a touch of aggression to its design. Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels with high-gloss black pockets further enhance the vehicle’s athletic stance, while the coupe-inspired roofline flows gracefully into the rear, giving the compact crossover a premium yet dynamic appearance.
Avenir: The Avenir trim takes the luxury up a notch with more refined styling details. Chrome accents replace the blacked-out elements found on the Sport Touring, giving it a more traditional upscale look. It comes with exclusive 19-inch Pearl Nickel-finished wheels and a distinctive Avenir grille, providing a sense of elegance. The overall design remains similar to the Sport Touring in terms of the body shape and proportions, but the Avenir’s polished accents make it look more sophisticated and premium.
Interior and Comfort:
Sport Touring: The interior of the Sport Touring is practical and stylish, with durable materials that still convey a premium feel. The Convenience 1 Package brings a power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While these features elevate the comfort level, the cabin materials lean more toward soft-touch plastics and leatherette surfaces, which are still upscale for the segment but not as plush as the Avenir’s offerings. There’s a focus on user-friendly tech, with an 11-inch diagonal infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto coming standard. The space is versatile, with adequate headroom and legroom for a compact crossover, making it suitable for city driving and short road trips.
Avenir: Stepping up to the Avenir adds a layer of luxury with more premium materials and finishes throughout the cabin. The seats are wrapped in perforated leather with contrast stitching, and the driver’s seat offers more adjustments, including lumbar support. The interior also features unique wood trim and brushed metal accents that give the cabin a more sophisticated ambiance. Additional touches like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats cater to a more luxurious experience. The Avenir’s upgraded audio system delivers a richer sound, making it a better choice for audiophiles.
Performance and Driving Experience:
Both Trims: The Sport Touring and Avenir share the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While this engine won’t set any speed records, it is responsive in city driving, delivering a sprightly feel thanks to the turbo’s low-end torque. The ride is well-balanced, with a suspension setup that prioritizes comfort without sacrificing too much agility. Both trims are front-wheel drive only, which limits their appeal for those who prefer the confidence of all-wheel drive, especially in colder climates.
Sport Touring: The Sport Touring’s sportier suspension tuning gives it a slightly firmer ride than the Avenir, which some drivers may prefer for a more connected feel to the road. It feels more agile, with the blacked-out trim elements and smaller wheels (18-inch vs. 19-inch on the Avenir) contributing to a slightly lighter overall package.
Avenir: The Avenir’s ride is tuned more for comfort, with a suspension that absorbs road imperfections better, making it the preferred choice for those who prioritize a cushioned and composed ride. The larger 19-inch wheels might introduce a bit more road noise on rough surfaces, but the difference is minimal thanks to Buick’s sound-deadening efforts.
Technology and Infotainment:
Sport Touring: The standard 11-inch infotainment screen offers a user-friendly interface with sharp graphics and quick response times. The Convenience 1 Package adds helpful features like a power liftgate, remote start, and rear park assist, making daily driving tasks more convenient. The tech features cater well to tech-savvy buyers, and the wireless smartphone connectivity ensures seamless integration for both Apple and Android users.
Avenir: The Avenir enhances the tech experience with additional luxury-oriented features, such as a head-up display and a wireless charging pad. The upgraded Bose premium audio system delivers clearer and richer sound quality compared to the standard setup in the Sport Touring. These enhancements further align the Avenir with luxury crossovers from other premium brands.
Safety and Driver Assistance:
Both Trims: The 2025 Envista comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Advanced Safety Package, which was equipped on the Sport Touring model we drove, adds adaptive cruise control, a feature shared with the Avenir trim. Both trims provide solid safety credentials, making them appealing choices for families.
Avenir: Additional features like a 360-degree camera system and rear pedestrian alert are standard on the Avenir, offering a higher level of safety tech that’s beneficial for city driving and parking. These extra features could be deciding factors for buyers who prioritize advanced safety technologies.
Pricing and Value:
Sport Touring: The Sport Touring offers an attractive price point for buyers looking to get into a stylish, tech-savvy compact crossover with a sporty look. It provides many desirable features without breaking the bank, and the optional packages allow for some customization while keeping costs relatively low.
Avenir: As the top-of-the-line model, the Avenir comes with a higher price tag but justifies the premium with added luxury, comfort, and tech features. For buyers looking for a near-luxury experience in a compact package, the Avenir trim makes a compelling case. However, the cost difference may not be justifiable for those who don’t prioritize the more refined materials and extra tech.
The 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring and Avenir trims cater to different needs within the compact crossover segment. The Sport Touring, with its vibrant Aquamarine Blue Metallic finish and sporty aesthetics, is ideal for buyers seeking a stylish and practical vehicle that balances features and affordability. The Avenir, on the other hand, targets those who want a touch of luxury without moving up to a larger or more expensive crossover.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to budget and priorities: if you’re looking for a sportier vibe and a more budget-friendly package, the Sport Touring delivers. But if you’re willing to pay a premium for extra comfort, luxury, and tech, the Avenir will reward you with a more upscale driving experience.
