Buick Envista vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Buick Envista was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, with Canadian prices ranging from $32,049 to $36,849, including a $2,300 destination charge. The Sport Touring Studio Series model, priced at $36,344, showcased a trendy design, although the Ceramic paint wasn't everyone's first choice. The exterior styling was praised for its appealing crossover look, but the interior revealed cost-cutting measures. The use of plastic, fake leather, and hard seats highlighted its affordability. Notable drawbacks included the centre armrest's noise, the turn signal stalk's snapping sound, and the loose transmission shifter, all of which reminded drivers of its budget-friendly nature.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar appearance with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car. The EUV body style returned, offering a tall and narrow stance that prioritized utility and interior space. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more significant makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up centre console space. While hard plastic surfaces dominated the cabin, the RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. The rear seating area, though lacking padding, provided ample space for passengers.

The 2026 Buick Envista's performance aligned with its price, featuring a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. With only front-wheel drive available, it produced 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Weighing 1,423 kilograms, the Envista was slow and not particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres over nearly 500 kilometres of travel. Turbo lag affected acceleration, making it challenging to navigate traffic smoothly. The six-speed automatic transmission was a positive aspect, preventing the droning associated with CVTs. However, steering lacked precision, and the brakes felt rudimentary. The Studio Series upgrade improved suspension but didn't enhance ride quality significantly.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from the Chevy Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest EV, it outperformed gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with adjustable brake regeneration settings. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's agility on curvy roads was attributed to its low centre of gravity. With a range of up to 422 kilometres on a full charge, it offered improved charging speed and compatibility with various connectors.

The 2026 Buick Envista's higher seating position facilitated easy entry and exit, though rear passengers needed to be mindful of the sloping roofline. The single-zone automatic climate control was basic but effective, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. Front seats were hard but supportive, with power adjustment for the driver. Storage space was decent, though unlined surfaces caused items to rattle. Rear seat passengers found ample legroom and headroom, despite the low roof. Cargo space measured 586 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,189 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers desired more telescopic extension from the steering wheel. Rear seats provided good headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor benefiting centre-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 459 litres behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, enhancing versatility. Up front, ample storage options included a large bin with dividers, a floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2026 Buick Envista featured an 8-inch digital driver display and an 11-inch touchscreen within a single glass surface. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless smartphone charging was available with the Studio Series upgrade. OnStar Basics connected services were free for eight years, offering crash response and remote vehicle access. The six-speaker audio system was adequate, with steering wheel controls compensating for the lack of a tuning knob.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. It also offered navigation assistance for finding charging stations and preconditioning the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was possible with additional equipment.

The 2026 Buick Envista included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. In Canada, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard. The Envista received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with Poor ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and the updated moderate overlap front crash test. The NHTSA had not released safety ratings at the time of writing.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were unavailable, but it was expected to perform well based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost.