2012 Buick Verano
Posted May 10th 2012 12:15PM
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Baby Buick Makes Quiet Case As An Almost-Luxury Car
It's no secret that Buick is one of the most prominent automakers in China, but the vehicle that's leading the charge in the People's Republic may come as a surprise. The top-selling car in the world's largest auto market last year was the Buick Excelle, a C-segment sedan that just so happens also to be a version of the 2012 Buick Verano that's now on sale in North America.
The Verano has only been on sale for a few months, but as you might expect, North American buyers aren't quite as excited about the latest Buick offering as our Chinese counterparts, at least not in the early going. The Excelle family has posted impressive sales of 23,179 units for the month of April in China. So do Chinese buyers know something that we don't, or does the littlest Buick just need time to win us over?
The Verano has only been on sale for a few months, but as you might expect, North American buyers aren't quite as excited about the latest Buick offering as our Chinese counterparts, at least not in the early going. The Excelle family has posted impressive sales of 23,179 units for the month of April in China. So do Chinese buyers know something that we don't, or does the littlest Buick just need time to win us over?
Related Gallery2013 Buick Verano
Former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz once stated that Buick, not Cadillac, was The General's true Lexus competitor, and since that time, the brand has dropped old-school rides like the Lucerne in favor of the much more modern LaCrosse, Regal, and now, the Verano. These vehicles aren't as likely to churn the butter of traditional Buick buyers, but then again, cataracts and Father Time have conspired to remove most Tri-Shield buyers from the road altogether.
The trick with the Verano is to nail down exactly which vehicles this near-luxury ride competes against. The Germans are almost completely out of this discussion, since the Verano's $22,595 base MSRP in Canada is well below where the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 start, though one could make a bit of an argument for the smaller, less-expensive A3 hatchback. Lexus doesn't really have anything that starts under $30,000, but CT 200h hybrid is certainly similar in size. On the other hand, the Verano's $22,595 price tag is clearly a step beyond that of the $15,655 entry level Chevrolet Cruze (with which the Verano shares a platform), $15,499 Ford Focus, and other C-segment offerings. The clearest competitor is the recently introduced Acura ILX – a more luxurious example of the Honda Civic that joins the Verano in the purgatory of near-luxury white space.
Our test car, painted in White Diamond Tricoat (a $995 option) arrived with an as-tested price of $31,210, including $1,495 for destination. This Verano came equipped with the top-tier Leather Package that adds hide-clad seats (the fronts being heated), a heated steering wheel and a nine-speaker Bose sound system, as well as an optional sunroof ($1,100). That's a lot of kit for a reasonable price tag, and it's important to note that even the most affordable Verano comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a USB audio input, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls and a brightly lit, seven-inch touchscreen LCD audio system.
From the outside, the Verano is virtually indistinguishable when parked next to a Chinese-market Excelle GT, and it is an Opel badge away from being a dead ringer for Europe's Astra sedan. Of course, the Verano also looks like a smaller iteration of the midsize Regal. We're big fans of the signature Buick blue hue within the headlamps, which add a more upscale touch to either side of the waterfall grille. The Verano features crisp, flowing lines throughout the body side panels that taper off at the rear wheel wells. And those wells are filled quite nicely by upscale 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Continental 235/45-series all-season tires.
The Verano passes the exterior test with few markdowns (say what you will about Ventiports... at least Buick can lay claim to popularizing them), but the most impressive aesthetic bits are reserved for its well-executed cabin. Our tester featured beautiful two-tone brown accents that really stood out even compared with pricier Buick models. The dash was especially pleasing to the touch, with terrific contrast and nicely finished materials. Another strong point comes courtesy of the expensive-looking and comfortable Choccachino leather seating surfaces that appeared to be more of a delicious caramel color than anything derived from the cocoa bean.
The LCD touchscreen, which features Buick's IntelliLink infotainment interface, was brilliantly lit and easy to navigate, giving us more time to enjoy the rich experience that is the Verano's well-executed interior rather than simply trying to learn where all of the buttons are. In-dash navigation is available for an additional $995, and we had a very good experience with the intuitive, easy-to-setup Bluetooth phone pairing.
Dimensionally, the Verano's cabin was a bit tight for our tastes, especially when it comes to the backseat. The kids weren't at all pleased with the 861 mm (33.9 inches) of rear legroom, though it's worth mentioning that you don't really get any more space in an Acura ILX.
The Verano is actually very close in size to the more expensive Buick Regal, the latter of which is 178 mm (seven inches) longer overall but rides on a 50 mm (two-inch) longer wheelbase. The Regal does have 76 mm (three inches) of more legroom for backseat passengers, but lateral hip space is identical for rear occupants. The trunks are also essentially the same size, with the Regal offering 402 litres (14.2 cubic feet) of storage and the Verano boasting 396 litres (14 cubic feet). In short, the Verano costs several thousand less, features the same base powertrain, looks similar and weighs 136 kg (300 pounds) less. Sounds like the Verano could steal some sales away from the Regal, doesn't it?
It may be lighter than the Regal, but the Verano still weighs in at a robust 1,496 kg (3,300 pounds), or 136 kg (300 pounds) more than the most luxurious Ford Focus. Luckily for Verano owners, this hefty sedan comes with more power than most compact offerings, with a base 2.4-litre four-cylinder rated at 180 horsepower at 6,700 RPM and 171 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 RPM. This engine is mated exclusively to a well-programmed six-speed automatic that goes about its duties without any harshness or cause for complaint.
The Verano offers adequate grunt around town, and it's not too sluggish off the line – estimates say hitting 96.5 km/h (60 mph) will arrive in a respectable 7.7 seconds. However, the naturally aspirated 2.4 let us down a bit when we asked it to dig deep and supply sprightly highway passing power, making the Verano feel every bit of its 1,496 kg (3,300-pound) curb weight at speed. We'd like a bit more power, and our wish will be granted later this year when Buick's turbocharged 2.0-litre four makes its way into the Verano. The 2.0T should boast at least 220 horsepower, matching what's offered in the Regal Turbo.
It doesn't take long to realize that Buick engineers have once again prioritized a hushed, plush ride above all. And when we say hushed, we mean whisper-quiet. Stifled backseat dialogues came in crystal clear even at highway speeds, and when we closed the sunroof, the cabin felt like a sarcophagus being sealed off with a form-fitting granite door. On the road, the Verano feels very solid and composed, offering a refined driving experience.
But that doesn't mean the Verano can't display a bit of agility when it's called for. The front MacPherson suspension and rear Z-link setup help the Verano feel stable when cornering, as long as you aren't pushing too hard. The electrically assisted power steering setup was a bit of a surprise as well, with appropriate weight and precise feel, offering credible amounts of feedback from the road. But once we tried to kick up the fun a notch, the chassis was willing to write checks that the engine simply couldn't cash. We got the impression that the Verano was ready for a lot more than 180 horsepower, and so were we. Just consider it another reason to be excited about the upcoming 2.0-litre turbo model.
The best case for more power comes courtesy of current-state fuel economy. The Verano boasts an EPA estimated 7.4L/100km (32 mpg) highway and 11.2L/100km (21 mpg) around town, which lags behind the economy compacts but is nearly dead-on with the 2.4-litre Acura ILX. We averaged a not-so-exciting 9.2L/100km (25.6 mpg) during a week with the Verano, which is closer to what we'd expect with a smaller but more potent turbo four.
The North American Verano may not sell nearly as well as its Excelle GT twin overseas, but it is clear that this Buick is ready to scrap in the near-luxury space head-on. The Verano manages to deliver upscale looks and a killer interior while at the same time offering a price tag that is competitive with the likes of the Ford Focus Titanium and thousands less than the Acura ILX or Audi A3. It only helps that the Verano comes standard with hordes of tech features, all of the most desired add-ons and a heated steering wheel to go along with its price point that won't break the bank. In fact, a fully loaded Verano still hovers around the low $30,000 ceiling, giving buyers a premium option that doesn't saddle them with premium payments. There is little doubt that the Verano will bring a whole new buyer into the Buick showroom, but we enthusiasts will likely remain on the sidelines until the turbo model becomes available later this year.
Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Chris Shunk / AOL
The trick with the Verano is to nail down exactly which vehicles this near-luxury ride competes against. The Germans are almost completely out of this discussion, since the Verano's $22,595 base MSRP in Canada is well below where the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 start, though one could make a bit of an argument for the smaller, less-expensive A3 hatchback. Lexus doesn't really have anything that starts under $30,000, but CT 200h hybrid is certainly similar in size. On the other hand, the Verano's $22,595 price tag is clearly a step beyond that of the $15,655 entry level Chevrolet Cruze (with which the Verano shares a platform), $15,499 Ford Focus, and other C-segment offerings. The clearest competitor is the recently introduced Acura ILX – a more luxurious example of the Honda Civic that joins the Verano in the purgatory of near-luxury white space.
Our test car, painted in White Diamond Tricoat (a $995 option) arrived with an as-tested price of $31,210, including $1,495 for destination. This Verano came equipped with the top-tier Leather Package that adds hide-clad seats (the fronts being heated), a heated steering wheel and a nine-speaker Bose sound system, as well as an optional sunroof ($1,100). That's a lot of kit for a reasonable price tag, and it's important to note that even the most affordable Verano comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a USB audio input, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls and a brightly lit, seven-inch touchscreen LCD audio system.
From the outside, the Verano is virtually indistinguishable when parked next to a Chinese-market Excelle GT, and it is an Opel badge away from being a dead ringer for Europe's Astra sedan. Of course, the Verano also looks like a smaller iteration of the midsize Regal. We're big fans of the signature Buick blue hue within the headlamps, which add a more upscale touch to either side of the waterfall grille. The Verano features crisp, flowing lines throughout the body side panels that taper off at the rear wheel wells. And those wells are filled quite nicely by upscale 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Continental 235/45-series all-season tires.
The Verano passes the exterior test with few markdowns (say what you will about Ventiports... at least Buick can lay claim to popularizing them), but the most impressive aesthetic bits are reserved for its well-executed cabin. Our tester featured beautiful two-tone brown accents that really stood out even compared with pricier Buick models. The dash was especially pleasing to the touch, with terrific contrast and nicely finished materials. Another strong point comes courtesy of the expensive-looking and comfortable Choccachino leather seating surfaces that appeared to be more of a delicious caramel color than anything derived from the cocoa bean.
The LCD touchscreen, which features Buick's IntelliLink infotainment interface, was brilliantly lit and easy to navigate, giving us more time to enjoy the rich experience that is the Verano's well-executed interior rather than simply trying to learn where all of the buttons are. In-dash navigation is available for an additional $995, and we had a very good experience with the intuitive, easy-to-setup Bluetooth phone pairing.
Dimensionally, the Verano's cabin was a bit tight for our tastes, especially when it comes to the backseat. The kids weren't at all pleased with the 861 mm (33.9 inches) of rear legroom, though it's worth mentioning that you don't really get any more space in an Acura ILX.
The Verano is actually very close in size to the more expensive Buick Regal, the latter of which is 178 mm (seven inches) longer overall but rides on a 50 mm (two-inch) longer wheelbase. The Regal does have 76 mm (three inches) of more legroom for backseat passengers, but lateral hip space is identical for rear occupants. The trunks are also essentially the same size, with the Regal offering 402 litres (14.2 cubic feet) of storage and the Verano boasting 396 litres (14 cubic feet). In short, the Verano costs several thousand less, features the same base powertrain, looks similar and weighs 136 kg (300 pounds) less. Sounds like the Verano could steal some sales away from the Regal, doesn't it?
It may be lighter than the Regal, but the Verano still weighs in at a robust 1,496 kg (3,300 pounds), or 136 kg (300 pounds) more than the most luxurious Ford Focus. Luckily for Verano owners, this hefty sedan comes with more power than most compact offerings, with a base 2.4-litre four-cylinder rated at 180 horsepower at 6,700 RPM and 171 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 RPM. This engine is mated exclusively to a well-programmed six-speed automatic that goes about its duties without any harshness or cause for complaint.
The Verano offers adequate grunt around town, and it's not too sluggish off the line – estimates say hitting 96.5 km/h (60 mph) will arrive in a respectable 7.7 seconds. However, the naturally aspirated 2.4 let us down a bit when we asked it to dig deep and supply sprightly highway passing power, making the Verano feel every bit of its 1,496 kg (3,300-pound) curb weight at speed. We'd like a bit more power, and our wish will be granted later this year when Buick's turbocharged 2.0-litre four makes its way into the Verano. The 2.0T should boast at least 220 horsepower, matching what's offered in the Regal Turbo.
It doesn't take long to realize that Buick engineers have once again prioritized a hushed, plush ride above all. And when we say hushed, we mean whisper-quiet. Stifled backseat dialogues came in crystal clear even at highway speeds, and when we closed the sunroof, the cabin felt like a sarcophagus being sealed off with a form-fitting granite door. On the road, the Verano feels very solid and composed, offering a refined driving experience.
But that doesn't mean the Verano can't display a bit of agility when it's called for. The front MacPherson suspension and rear Z-link setup help the Verano feel stable when cornering, as long as you aren't pushing too hard. The electrically assisted power steering setup was a bit of a surprise as well, with appropriate weight and precise feel, offering credible amounts of feedback from the road. But once we tried to kick up the fun a notch, the chassis was willing to write checks that the engine simply couldn't cash. We got the impression that the Verano was ready for a lot more than 180 horsepower, and so were we. Just consider it another reason to be excited about the upcoming 2.0-litre turbo model.
The best case for more power comes courtesy of current-state fuel economy. The Verano boasts an EPA estimated 7.4L/100km (32 mpg) highway and 11.2L/100km (21 mpg) around town, which lags behind the economy compacts but is nearly dead-on with the 2.4-litre Acura ILX. We averaged a not-so-exciting 9.2L/100km (25.6 mpg) during a week with the Verano, which is closer to what we'd expect with a smaller but more potent turbo four.
The North American Verano may not sell nearly as well as its Excelle GT twin overseas, but it is clear that this Buick is ready to scrap in the near-luxury space head-on. The Verano manages to deliver upscale looks and a killer interior while at the same time offering a price tag that is competitive with the likes of the Ford Focus Titanium and thousands less than the Acura ILX or Audi A3. It only helps that the Verano comes standard with hordes of tech features, all of the most desired add-ons and a heated steering wheel to go along with its price point that won't break the bank. In fact, a fully loaded Verano still hovers around the low $30,000 ceiling, giving buyers a premium option that doesn't saddle them with premium payments. There is little doubt that the Verano will bring a whole new buyer into the Buick showroom, but we enthusiasts will likely remain on the sidelines until the turbo model becomes available later this year.
Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Chris Shunk / AOL
