Written byThe 2025 Envista base trim was priced at $23,800; the 2026 base trim now starts at $24,600; and the Avenir model has risen from $28,600 to $29,400. This 3.4% increase on average dovetails with broader industry trends — CarEdge predicted around 60% of 2026 model-year vehicles would see higher MSRPs, and that the average increase across models would be $691.
For the higher cost, Buick isn’t adding anything new and luxurious: the 2026 Envista is not adding more standard features. There’s an optional color swap (Cinnabar Metallic is swapped for Brilliant Red), and a few bits of equipment get jiggered about like a standard tire inflator kit, with a compact spare tire finding itself in the optional accessory pile.
Which brings us to the VSS-F and the price hikes that might be connected to it: Under Trump-era policies, a 25% passenger-vehicle tariff still exists on imports, and Envistas are built on GM’s VSS-F platform in its Bupyeong plant, South Korea.
The Envista features the turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine under the hood, offering 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque; available in front-wheel drive only. These outputs are carried over from the last generation, and no new powertrain changes are planned for this cycle.
How Envista’s Pricing Compares to the Encore GX
By contrast, the 2026 Encore GX boasts very little, if any, sticker price inflation—and, in some instances, dealer discounts look you in the eye. On its official website, Buick prices the 2026 Encore GX at $26,295, which is ONLY $355 UP from the 2025 price point of $25,940.
Trim-by-trim listing:
- Preferred: $26,295
- Sport Touring (ST): $27,100
- Avenir: $31,400
The Encore GX Avenir’s maximum MSRP, meanwhile, is approximately $32,795, according to Kelley Blue Book. Attractive incentives, including Offers, are stellar, hitting as low as $2,000 conquest cash, $500 military or first responder offers, or even loyalty discounts, effectively cutting the customer’s price significantly below official MSRP, but are powerful, according to Carsdirect and Edmunds.
What’s Driving the Price Divergence?
A few reasons why Envista was able to get a $800 clean bump and Encore GX is flat (or worse) in absolute world pricing:
1. Import Tariffs & Manufacturing
(As already mentioned, the Envista is imported from South Korea, so it effectively would go down if additional tariffs are applied.) Encore GX, which is also assembled in South Korea, experiences less relative pressure from currency or tariff fluctuations, perhaps because of volume or altered allocations.
2. Feature Parity and Packaging
Nothing new features warrant the Envista hike. Encore GX is also carried over for ’26 — but aggressive dealer incentives suggest it’s still in the game.
3. Market Positioning & Sales Strategy
It looks as if Buick is using Envista pricing as an easy excuse to reflect max general 2026 price creep (which for Crossovers averaged an increase of $691 per CarEdge), while being a little more aggressive with Encore GX to keep it relevant in the jammed subcompact field.
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Trim-by-Trim Quick Glance
| Model / Trim | 2025 MSRP | 2026 MSRP | Change | Highlights |
| Envista Preferred | $23,800 | $24,600 | $800 | Entry‑level compact crossover |
| Envista ST | $25,300 | $26,100 | $800 | Sporty trim with black styling |
| Envista Avenir | $28,600 | $29,400 | $800 | Luxury‑oriented top trim |
| Encore GX Preferred | $25,940 | $26,295 | $355 | Base subcompact SUV trim |
| Encore GX ST | $27,140 | $27,100 | $40 | Sport Touring with gloss black |
| Encore GX Avenir | $31,500 | $31,400 | $100 | Premium top trim |
What Buyers Should Know
- Look for Envista 2026 pricing to run an even $800 higher than the 2025 model year prices across the board without content modifications.
- Encore GX Model Pricing is close, and significant real-world discounts can make the vehicle much less expensive, especially with loyalty or conquest offers available at least through the end of August 2025.
- If you love Envista, compare dealer invoice and see whether there are any seasonal rebates — but those fully-loaded trim hikes can run higher than $1,000, according to CarEdge, on other marques.
- At the other end of the scale, if you prefer Encore GX, explore available incentives and look at Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price benchmarks, and negotiate up.
Conclusion
Buick’s 2026 Envista is subject to a significant, uniform $800 MSRP increase, even with relatively few meaningful changes, most likely as a response to import duties and as part and parcel of 2026 pricing patterns. Meanwhile, the Encore GX continues with very little increase in pricing, with some dealers advertising very aggressive incentives that, in a lot of cases, may see real-world prices that are well below MSRP.
The two little crossovers share platforms and engines, including the 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. But in the scheme of pricing tone-deafness, the Encore GX uses its value better—the Envista will ask a premium for what will essentially be the same package.
Sources: Buick, CarsDirect
