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The 2013 Buick Verano Review: Buick built its reputation on big, smooth, quiet cars. There are plenty of people who buy luxury cars, especially the entry-level luxury cars that Buick specializes in, who don't want their car to feel like something that Grandma would drive. That's why the Buick Verano exists.
Built on the same platform as the Chevy Cruze, an eyebrow-raising compact car from General Motors that happens to be one of my favorites, the Verano seems to split right down the middle of the sport vs. comfort battle. It's something enjoyable enough to make young drivers grin, but it's squishy and plush enough to make Grandma happy, too.
Until now, the Verano's biggest downside has been its lack of a powerful engine to compete with the likes of BMW, Acura and Infiniti, all brands that know how to make fun cars that are lively when you step on the gas pedal.
Buick fixes that problem in 2013 with the addition of a 2.0-literturbocharged engine that makes 250 horsepower. That's enough to provide a real thrill in a car this small, helping it accelerate from 0-60 in just 6.2 seconds. It's also surprisingly efficient with a 31-mpg rating in highway driving. When you consider that the Verano's base engine only gets 1 mpg better than the turbocharged model, while making a whopping 70 fewer horses, the turbo engine is the clearly the better choice.
It also exposes a new, gaping hole in the Verano's power train lineup: the lack of a more fuel-efficient option for people who want to save money at the gas pump. Many cars this size are rated at over 40 mpg on the highway these days.
Then again, Buick has been trying to position the Verano as a sophisticated, upscale car that just happens to be a compact. Putting a small, whiny, efficient engine in it might only make it feel like a Chevy.
The big question, of course, is whether the Verano is different enough from its Cruze cousin to pay extra for the Buick version instead of getting the cheaper Chevrolet. General Motors has a long history of essentially selling the same car with different badges glued to the hood. Is that what the Verano really is?
For the most part, no, not at all. It feels like a drastically different car, with a smoother ride, significantly quieter cabin and better, more upscale styling than its Chevy relative. It inherits the Cruze's small back seat, though, that can limit knee room for tall passengers.
More than anything else, what sets the Verano apart is its cabin. Buick seems to be moving more upscale, taking brands like Lexus more seriously than GM traditionally has done, by using contrasting color stitching, soft-touch dash materials and leathers that feel thick and supple, not plasticky.
If you look at this car as a whole, from it’s styling, to its turbocharged performance and classy cabin, it's a baby Buick that works exceptionally well. Not only does it offer the affordable luxury that Buick is known for, but it also has the zip and excitement that younger luxury drivers crave.
Pricing starts around $23,000, and near $30,000 with the turbocharged engine.
What was tested? The 2013 Buick Verano with the Leather Group with a base price of $27,640. Options on the test car: None. Price as tested including the delivery fee came to $27,640
Why avoid it? The turbo model costs nearly $30,000, a fairly large premium for an engine upgrade.
Why buy it? It's a compact luxury car with class. It feels more expensive than it is, and a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine makes it even more enjoyable in 2013. By Derek Price © AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
The 2013 Buick Verano Bottom Line Review provided by:
Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
The Bottom Line: The 2013 Buick Verano is a compact car with a premium look and a luxury feel. It has a good combination of comfort and sportiness, and the Verano's cabin is quieter than most cars this size. Now this Baby Buick is available with a great 250 HP turbocharged engine. It's also among the best work from the interior designers at General Motors to date, so you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”
Bottom Line Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net - And remember: “ You Are What You Drive ©”
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Column Name: The new Verano gets a power boost
Topic: The 2013 Buick Verano
Word Count: 812
Photo Caption: The 2013 Buick Verano
Photo Credits: Buick Verano Internet Media
Series #: 2012- 28
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