What a joy to drive! Love owning base 2015, definitely not an underpowered thing going on at all with aspirated as any turbo hype may imply. Love it so much, I don’t need to know what I’m missing in car world. Mint 8,000Km @ $13K and change, 150 pt inspection, fully certified and Buick warranties. Though I bought before I saw your review, thanks Zack for seeing the light on this gem. When I see another one on the road, I feel a kinship with the other driver, like we’re in on this!
I drove this car and can attest to how quiet it is compared to many. The ride for me felt very well damped. Firm and absorbent at the same time. It's very seductive, but I am waiting to see if the new 2.5 will be offered and what that will do to mileage and power.
Nice review Zack, very detailed. On Buicks in general, do you feel they're doing enough to differentiate the brand? The bigger engine is nice in the Verano though I see the Cruze SS getting a turbo 2.0 before the end of the model cycle. The Regal gets a turbo 2.0 but now so does the new Malibu cousin IIRC. I've always thought that Lincoln, for example, should only get AWD and Ecoboost drivetrains in every vehicle, make it very distinguishable as a premium brand. Is Buick doing enough?
This is from a different era of thinking take note, in 2023 all cars are companies are baseline 1.5 turbo CVT in their compact and even full size offering. Comparing an electric car to a gas one is like an electric scooter VS a motor cycle . The scooter is a toy
The Verano will get the turbo too for next years model. This is a different car because of the much smoother and quieter ride. The problem is that Buick, as a brand, is not aspirational. Nobody is is awake at night dreaming of a Buick! maybe they need to bring back the Grand National... By limiting things like AWD and Ecoboost you choke sales of the more popular brand.
I haven't driven one of these (yet), but I drove the ILX and while I think the ILX looks a bit nicer, there is NO WAY it is worth the amount they ask for it. Extremely noisy inside for a luxury car (most midsize cars are much, much quieter), low on power, and not very roomy. My head was hitting the roof and I am only 6' tall. (Granted I do have trouble in a number of cars with sunroofs, but this is not an excuse.) A very disappointing vehicle. At 184 inches, the Verano is pretty big though the back seat is apparently small. A 2012 Camry is 5 inches longer but a 2012 Legacy is only 2 inches longer, though 3 inches more in wheelbase.
You hit the nail on the head. This car competes with midsizes like Accord based on price, power and weight. Unfortunately the accord provides more power, more room,better fuel efficiency and a reputation for reliability. I so want to like this car to give it as a gift to my wife, but am still hopeful that honda puts out a product similar to this. Unfiortunately options on the ILX are too limited, for example, you cant get the 2.4 engine with a 6 speed auto and a tech package.Come on Honda.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
What a joy to drive! Love owning base 2015, definitely not an underpowered thing going on at all with aspirated as any turbo hype may imply.
Love it so much, I don’t need to know what I’m missing in car world. Mint 8,000Km @ $13K and change, 150 pt inspection, fully certified and Buick warranties.
Though I bought before I saw your review, thanks Zack for seeing the light on this gem. When I see another one on the road, I feel a kinship with
the other driver, like we’re in on this!
I bet, Buick is nice!
To anybody in Canada watching this in 2016/17, Buick is currently offering ~ $6000 off on cash purchases for this car. Awesome deal.
Driving TV is still on the air I just do extra reviews for the cars I drive from week to week. This is one of my weekly test cars.
will the Verano get the new 2.5?
I see this car being sold used for 9500-12000 today depending on miles. Really worth it in 2017 if you have a car older then 2012.
RemusRomulas just about to purchase one :)
where are you finding 'em that cheap? not here in the great green northwest, they sell here for near-new unless over 100k miles.
Great review! I'd look at the Verano, but it doesn't come with a stick does it?
Ive owned a verano for 4 years now and havnt had one thing go wrong with it other then basic brake work,let that sink in!
I drove this car and can attest to how quiet it is compared to many. The ride for me felt very well damped. Firm and absorbent at the same time. It's very seductive, but I am waiting to see if the new 2.5 will be offered and what that will do to mileage and power.
my bucket list is to be able to at least test drive this car over the crappy rough roads of my small town.
I think it is a luxury brand with gm parts, I would compare it to some Lincoln's I sat in.
Nice review Zack, very detailed.
On Buicks in general, do you feel they're doing enough to differentiate the brand? The bigger engine is nice in the Verano though I see the Cruze SS getting a turbo 2.0 before the end of the model cycle. The Regal gets a turbo 2.0 but now so does the new Malibu cousin IIRC. I've always thought that Lincoln, for example, should only get AWD and Ecoboost drivetrains in every vehicle, make it very distinguishable as a premium brand. Is Buick doing enough?
This is from a different era of thinking take note, in 2023 all cars are companies are baseline 1.5 turbo CVT in their compact and even full size offering. Comparing an electric car to a gas one is like an electric scooter VS a motor cycle . The scooter is a toy
i love zack's reviews, but is he still going to be on driving television, or did that show get cancelled?
The Verano will get the turbo too for next years model. This is a different car because of the much smoother and quieter ride. The problem is that Buick, as a brand, is not aspirational. Nobody is is awake at night dreaming of a Buick! maybe they need to bring back the Grand National...
By limiting things like AWD and Ecoboost you choke sales of the more popular brand.
Zack,
are you from Vancouver? The license plate on the Verano is Vancouver I believe.
Great Review! Great Car! Get the Turbo 2013!
no i have the intellink but no nav.
I wonder if GM is going to stop making the 2.4L and replace its applications with the new 2.5L engine arriving within a year.
i really like this car
i like this car
in Europe Verano is Opel Insignia :)
Nice review...even though I will never, ever, ever buy a Buick...
Another rebadge?! This is the Astra... Only mostly in europe you see them as a hatchback. Most European reviewers are not that crazy about this car...
I haven't driven one of these (yet), but I drove the ILX and while I think the ILX looks a bit nicer, there is NO WAY it is worth the amount they ask for it. Extremely noisy inside for a luxury car (most midsize cars are much, much quieter), low on power, and not very roomy. My head was hitting the roof and I am only 6' tall. (Granted I do have trouble in a number of cars with sunroofs, but this is not an excuse.) A very disappointing vehicle. At 184 inches, the Verano is pretty big though the back seat is apparently small. A 2012 Camry is 5 inches longer but a 2012 Legacy is only 2 inches longer, though 3 inches more in wheelbase.
You hit the nail on the head. This car competes with midsizes like Accord based on price, power and weight. Unfortunately the accord provides more power, more room,better fuel efficiency and a reputation for reliability. I so want to like this car to give it as a gift to my wife, but am still hopeful that honda puts out a product similar to this. Unfiortunately options on the ILX are too limited, for example, you cant get the 2.4 engine with a 6 speed auto and a tech package.Come on Honda.
no it's the opel astra. the buick regal is an insignia with a buick badge
Right on the sweet spot GM!!
no turn mirror signals?
not so luxurious...
mlps93 the cars made for drivers not retards
Stop saying 22 and a half / 27 and half thousand dollars!
It’s ugly