Vehicle Tested
2013 Buick Verano Sedan Premium (2.0L 4-cyl. Turbo w/opt 6-speed Manual)
Driven On
9/18/2012
Ratings Summary
The 2013 Buick Verano offers buyers a competent alternative to the handful of luxury compact cars available. It's handsome looks, crisp handling, and plush ride are noteworthy. The interior is a little bit of a let down, though.
B
Comfort
Ride comfort and quietness are clearly priorities for the Verano.
| Seating Comfort |
B
|
With the exception of a manually adjusted driver's seatback, seating for four is comfortable and very supportive. The center slot in the rear seat isn't intended for sitting, though. |
| Ride Comfort |
B
|
This car rides like a much larger car with excellent road isolation and good damping characteristics -- as a luxury car should. |
| Quietness |
B
|
The Verano is noticeably quiet -- unusual for a small car but expected for a luxury car. Very little engine or wind noise; some tire noise depending on tire selection. |
C
Interior
The Verano's interior has all the ingredients of a luxury car, but they're all just slightly shy of expectations for the segment.
| Ergonomics |
C
|
The center stack offers a complete inventory of controls, yet the array of buttons invites confusion. The standard touchscreen works well, but is a long reach away. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
Typical compact-car-sized doors mean front seats are easily accessed, but rears require a little wiggling. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
Priority was given to a roomy up-front accommodations. Rear seats truly meant for two only and a little tight on head- and leg-room. |
| Visibility |
C
|
Slightly problematic C-pillar, but optional blind-spot monitor and rear parking sensors help. No rearview camera available. |
| Cargo/Storage |
B
|
At about 14 cu-ft, the truck is a good size (and regular shape) for a compact car. Standard 60/40 split-fold rear seats are appreciated. |
B
Performance
Acceleration depends on the engine that's been selected, while braking, handling, and driveability are very good regardless.
| Acceleration |
B
|
The turbocharged Verano Premium is quick, especially with the optional manual transmission. The naturally aspirated base engine is noticeably underpowered in comparison. |
| Braking |
B
|
With a firm pedal and good fade resistance, the Verano provides the kind of good brakes people expect in a near-luxury car. |
| Steering |
B
|
Buick chose response and precision over sluggish and vague for the Verano's steering. |
| Handling |
B
|
Regardless of trim, the Verano carves a canyon road with the best of them -- and feels confident doing it. |
| Driveability |
B
|
The automatic transmission is intelligent and responds quickly to driver input. The Verano is easy and pleasurable to drive in a variety of situations. |
B
Value
With a range between $23K-$29, the lower trim levels make a better value statement than the Premium does -- yet the Premium's turbocharged engine is much better.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
Build quality is very good for the compact segment, but average for a luxury car. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
There's a good amount of standard equipment on the base cars, and large equipment packages leave little room for customization beyond that. |
| Cost |
C
|
It's a lot of car for $23,000, but as the total creeps toward $30,000, it's hard to justify. |
| MPG |
B
|
Although we weren't able to duplicate their results, the EPA estimates for 'combined' fuel economy hover around 25 mpg. |
| Warranty |
B
|
The Verano comes with a very competitive warranty package. |
| Ownership |
B
|
|
B
Fun To Drive
If you can get past the cognitive dissonance of a Buick that's fun to drive, then you'll be one of the few who will enjoy this car fully.
| Driving Experience |
B
|
For most people, the Verano will simply drive like a well-equipped compact car with excellent road isolation. There's more to it than that, however. |
| Personality |
C
|
If you choose a Verano over an imported luxury car, be prepared to explain a great deal to your brand-conscious friends. |
