2012 Buick Verano

[The Critic]

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-buick-verano/#3744638

I drove a 2011 Regal and found it to be a fantastic car. Unfortunately, it was a bit too expensive and power was somewhat lacking.

If the Verano can deliver nearly the same driving experience with more power and a lower price, I might just have to get one.

 

[rshunter]

Holy guacamole! It's a Buick Cruze...

It's nice that they're using different interior materials and powertrains, though. It shows that they did learn something from the earlier "badge engineering" follies.

 

[Superbuick96]

Ive been looking forward to seeing this Chevy Cruze sister. Not to bad, looks like a baby Buick.

 

[JHZR2]

Power lacking? LOL.

Just wait until $5 gas does arrive.

Not everyone "deserves" such luxury all the time. It just is inverse of fuel economy and efficient operation. Nothing wrong with wanting some pep sometimes, but for day to day, IMO it is silly.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Holy guacamole! It's a Buick Cruze...

It's nice that they're using different interior materials and powertrains, though. It shows that they did learn something from the earlier "badge engineering" follies.


A Buick Cruze? Same suspension, same transmission, probably the same 10 air bags, maybe some floor pan similarities.

Different sheetmetal, different glass, different seats, different dash and controls, different door panels, different engine. Anything you can see is different.

As little in common as possible. They certainly did learn from their earlier life as a badge engineering company. It is actually a sedan version of the Opel Astra. I don't know that the Astra is sold as a sedan however. I really wish they'd bring over the 5 door hatch version, it looks even better and is more practical.

 

[mrsilv04]

I like the "eyebrows" over the tail lights.

Buick's sales were up 50% last year..... and some folks wondered what the plan was, back when Pontiac was killed off.

Now we know.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Holy guacamole! It's a Buick Cruze...

It's nice that they're using different interior materials and powertrains, though. It shows that they did learn something from the earlier "badge engineering" follies.


Same thoughts here, reminds me of the Cimmaron (spelling?.)

 

[addyguy]

My first car was a 1985 Buick Skyhawk.

While it was a complete turd of a car, I still think it was an excellent job of re-styling the Cavalier - I found the inside MUCH nicer.

I'm really glad Buick has done this again - I like the 'small Regal' look on a compact car. My Cavalier will be 10 years old in 2012, and I think I just found my next car!

 

[Burt]

I liked everything about it until I saw the wood grain trim in the interior. Says to me that GM is still stuck in the past and catering to senior citizens. I hope you can get it without this trim.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I liked everything about it until I saw the wood grain trim in the interior. Says to me that GM is still stuck in the past and catering to senior citizens. I hope you can get it without this trim.


Unfortunately, I noticed that as well.

Hopefully, the pictures accentuated the trim in some odd way, and it really isn't that obvious otherwise...

The 2.4 engine should be a really good fit in this car.

 

[addyguy]

Dunno...I still like wood trim in a car. I'm getting really tired of all the plastic, metal, and 'metallic looking plastic' in cars these days.

Wood trim, done nicely, can be perfectly peaceful and comfortable. Yeah, I know, it's not 'racy', but c'mon!

Where does it say the 2.4 will come in this car? Taht's quite a departure from the 1.8/1.4T in the Cruze.....

 

[addyguy]

I found articles that explain that the base engine is the DI 2.4 - sweet!

One of those would look really, really nice is a dark cherry red, with a dark grey interior.

 

[flacoman]

Never mind the 2.4 , give it the 2.0 turbo!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: flacoman
Never mind the 2.4 , give it the 2.0 turbo!

And your prayers have been answered!

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline...-under-30k.html

2013 Verano will have the engine from the Regal GS, both 6MT and 6AT options available. And it will still get 30mpg on the highway.

 

[flacoman]

Now we're talking!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: flacoman
Never mind the 2.4 , give it the 2.0 turbo!

And your prayers have been answered!

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline...-under-30k.html

2013 Verano will have the engine from the Regal GS, both 6MT and 6AT options available. And it will still get 30mpg on the highway.


It better, considering that my 9-3 is EPA 34 highway. Hope they havent gotten away from the low-inertia turbo with instant torque for some higher pressure, higher published numbers without the great experience.

 

[flacoman]

According to the Regal brochure, it's a twin-scroll turbo, making 20 psi boost .

 

[daves87rs]

Cool!

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I liked everything about it until I saw the wood grain trim in the interior. Says to me that GM is still stuck in the past and catering to senior citizens. I hope you can get it without this trim.



NEWSFLASH - wood is back in style. Every luxury car and even some less than luxury cars offer it. I paid extra for the wood trim, wheel and shifter in my new CTS. It just looks better than the standard aluminum metal looking trim. Of course, it is REAL wood. The fake stuff, I agree, is 80's looking.

 

[sciphi]

Fake wood and Buick? Those go together like ham and cheese. The inside of my LeSabre is loaded with the fakest fake wood GM could produce. Strangely enough, it's aged a LOT better than the rest of the interior.