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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2024 Buick Envista vs Chevrolet Trax
This 2024 Buick Envista vs Chevrolet Trax comparison pits two newcomers to the compact crossover scene – and close corporate cousins – against one another.
More Than a Different Badge
The marketplace for small crossovers is overflowing with options these days as automakers hustle to capture their piece of this popular pie. It leads to non-stop competition from nearly every brand currently making cars, including the occasional internal battles.
General Motors knows a thing or two about badge engineering and portfolio sharing. But thankfully, the days of essentially swapping emblems across virtually identical vehicles sold under 2, 3, or even 4 different nameplates, appear to be in the rearview.
This 2024 Buick Envista vs. Chevrolet Trax comparison is proof of that. Buick’s compact Envista is all-new for 2024 and sports a rakish profile aimed at pulling new, young buyers into Buick dealerships. Chevy’s all-new second-gen Trax also arrived in 2024 with a decidedly more classic crossover look.
But most consumers likely wouldn’t guess these two General Motors products share identical powertrains underneath their dramatically different bodywork. Which one does the modern GM crossover best? Read on to find out.
Specs
The 2024 Buick Envista offers 3 trim lines to choose from, the Chevy Trax has 5. But no matter which one you choose; the powertrain is the same. A 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3 sits up front cranking out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.
It pairs with a 6-speed automatic that routes power to the front wheels only. No all-wheel drive for these GM twins. Unsurprisingly, this translates to matching fuel efficiency ratings of 28 mpg around town, 32 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. Little wonder these figures earn the Trax a spot on our list of SUVs with excellent gas mileage.
The lack of AWD may be a problem for buyers who live in the snow belt. But Buick and Chevrolet offer a wide variety of other SUVs to satisfy this need and a good set of winter tires can help in this situation. Because to keep the price points as low as they are here, powertrain simplicity is clearly best.
Driving and Performance
No one will be shocked to learn that the 2024 Buick Envista and 2024 Chevy Trax are not exactly sprinters. That wee three-cylinder engine needs 8.8 seconds to get the Buick up to 60 mph from a standstill according to Edmunds. In the Trax, that time stretches out to 9.1 seconds. Poky is a word that comes to mind.
Fortunately, the four-corner independent suspension promises a planted, if unexciting ride. A MacPherson strut front design is common across the Envista and Trax. Out back, every model except the Envista Avenir works with a compound crank suspension, otherwise known as a twist beam. The Avenir gains a Watts link rear setup aimed at improved handling.
Comfort and Interior
One downside to the 2024 Envista’s steeply sloped rear roofline is the reduced cargo capacity versus its Chevy Trax corporate cousin. The Trax can swallow 54 cubic feet behind the front seats and 26 behind the second row. Those figures drop to 42 and 21, respectively, with the Buick. Such is the price of looking swanky.
Both crossovers have room for 5 and, interestingly, second-row headroom is only reduced by one inch in the Envista vs. the Trax. Active noise cancellation is common between these SUVs, but an acoustic laminated windshield is reserved for the Envista as part of the Buick QuietTuning system that promises a serene cabin.
The Buick is also a more luxury-minded model as it offers leather on the higher models, while Chevy sticks to cloth and “Evotex” upholstery. This mindset applies to the infotainment space as well. With the Envista, an 11-inch central touchscreen is lineup standard.
But the Trax comes with an 8-inch display on base models. The 11-inch setup is available but requires moving up the trim hierarchy. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board here as is a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Trims and Features
The 2024 Buick Envista has a starting price of $23,495 for the Preferred model. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, all LED exterior lighting, automatic climate control, and a cloth-leatherette upholstery combination. For $25,195, the Sport Touring trim brings 18-inch black wheels, black-finished exterior bits, and leatherette seating.
Top-spec Envista Avenirs sport 19-inch wheels, a power-operated liftgate, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. All Envistas come with forward collision mitigation, automatic high beams, and a lane-keeping system. Optional extras include adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and a sunroof.
In base LS trim, the 2024 Chevy Trax is $2,000 cheaper than an entry-level Buick Envista, but it comes with steel wheels, a smaller central screen, and 2 fewer speakers for its stereo. Stepping up to the $23,195 Trax 1RS yields 18-inch alloy wheels, unique front and rear fascias, and a red-accented cabin.
For just $200 more, the mid-level Trax LT is nicely loaded with automatic climate control, a digital gauge cluster, an 11-inch touchscreen, and patterned cloth-Evotex upholstery. The Trax 2RS and ACTIV models both cost $24,995. 2RS trim leans sporty with 19-inch wheels and includes heat for the steering wheel and front seats.
ACTIV models are aimed at being more adventurous perhaps with special exterior trim pieces and a unique yellow-accented cabin. The Trax mirrors the Envista for standard advanced driver-aid systems while offering options like a wireless phone charging pad, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Verdict
Looks are of course subjective, and the new Chevy Trax is a good-looking crossover, as we discuss here. But Buick has arguably outdone its GM stablemate on the design front with the slinky lines on the all-new Envista. Is it worth spending nearly $30,000 for the Envista Avenir? Probably not. But in that $23,500 ballpark, the 2024 Buick Envista walks away victorious.
Which small crossover does it best in this Buick Envista vs. Chevrolet Trax matchup? Well, the base Envista is only $100 more expensive than a mid-pack Trax LT. Like every model, these two share a powertrain but also have nearly identical levels of technology and creature comforts.
