Buick Verano test drive coming up

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Driving a new Verano this week.
An interesting idea. basically an Opel Astra with a trunk instead of a hatchback.
And a larger 2.4 Liter engine.

Does it translate into real luxury?

As usual you are welcome to ask anything you would like to know about the car.

Conversation 15 comments

  1. It's not quite as vulgar as the K9 below. However, the Verano is in no way is this a luxury car. The designed-by-committee blandness and fake woodgrain shows that this was slapped together to a very low standard. Although if it's trying to compete against the Acura TSX, then maybe it's good enough.

  2. Seems to me that a lot of these "luxury" cars don't really pull it off anymore….especially the Lexus, Acura, Buick, etc., whose interiors look a lot like their little cousins (Toyota, Honda, etc.)….and with most of these lower brands offering a lot if the tech their upper brands offer in the limited versions, why spend the extra money, it's like buying Tylenol for the name when the generic version is the same thing, but costs a lot less.

  3. I see this being better than the rebadged Civic ILX Acura has cooked up…Oh and this coming from an 2004 TSX owner.

  4. "Still a Buick"??? As opposed to what? A Rolls?
    I'll take a Buick over a Lexus or Acura any day. And I don't expect a Buick to handle like a 3-series; any more than I expect the 3-series to be as quiet & smooth as a Buick!
    It is what it is…love it or leave it.

  5. In person, the Verano looks weird. The proportions are all off. Also, why do all Buicks have to have the same ugly grill? Enough already.

    What Buick needs is a hot image car. Perhaps a current day Riviera, or maybe a Wildcat?

  6. "I'll take a Buick over a Lexus or Acura any day…"

    I know, I know, after all your advertising you get comments about being "still a Buick." But, let me elaborate: "Buick means sedate, old fartish, lots of chrome, excessive weight for its engines, kind of tacky……."

  7. "Buick means sedate, old fartish, lots of chrome, excessive weight for its engines, kind of tacky……."

    With the LaCrosse and the Enclave, I totally disagree. I thought Buick was on a good path. The Verano is a trashy car. The reviews say it all. It looks bad, it drives badly, and the luxury is just a cheap plastic veneer. It works for the Lexus ES and to a lesser extent, Acura. But those brands have proven themselves. Buick hasn't. This is a huge step in the wrong direction.

  8. I know, I know, after all your advertising you get comments about being "still a Buick." But, let me elaborate: "Buick means sedate, old fartish, lots of chrome, excessive weight for its engines, kind of tacky……."

    First of all, it's not "my" advertising, I've never worked in the auto industry, or in the ad industry. Secondly, the Buicks of today may have a strong loyalty among repeat customers who've been buying them most of their long lives–but that doesn't mean they are any less technologically advanced, less sexy, or less capabile than the latest from Lexus, Lincoln, Acura, Infinity, or elsewhere. I think you need to look closer at the spec sheets of today's Buicks and less at the ads from 40 years ago. And remember; just cause an old fart buys a Viper or Ferrari, it doesn't mean those cars are antiquated or stogy! When you're old, you buy what you want — not just what you can barely afford!

  9. Has the poster above driven the verano? To say that it is a "trashy car" is ridiculous. Nor I haven't read a single review that say the car looks "bad" or drives "badly," as the poster above claims. Some reviewers feel that the styling is on the conservative side, but that's about all that they have criticized the car for. To my eyes the Buick Verano looks classy, stands out in person, and is a good, safe value for the money – and it would easily be my choice for a new car, once they release the higher-output Verano turbo version.

  10. and it would easily be my choice for a new car, once they release the higher-output Verano turbo version.

    May 7, 2012 9:57 AM

    …so why don't you buy the Regal GS? What are you waiting for? Unless you are 5.3" tall and you don't care….

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