more about this model Reasonably priced convertibles are a rare breed. Searching for one with a usable back seat is as easy as hunting Bigfoot. Well, that has changed thanks to the 2017 Buick Cascada, a midsize convertible with a reasonable price and reasonable amount of room for four people. It’s very much an imperfect choice, but it may also be the only one you have.
Despite its Buick badge, the Cascada is virtually unchanged from the car of the same name sold in Europe as an Opel and Great Britain as a Vauxhall. That means it doesn’t exactly blend in stylistically with other Buicks, while its convoluted interior controls lack the user-friendliness of most brand mates. With plenty of noise and an abundance of body shake when going over bumps, it also lacks the overall refinement we’ve come to expect from Buick. It feels like a much older design than it actually is.
There are three trim levels: Base, Premium and the new-for-2017 Sport Touring. The Base comes with an abundance of standard comfort, entertainment and luxury features for the money. You’ll pay far more for comparably equipped rivals. Opting for the upper trims opens the door to high-tech safety equipment, a navigation system and some distinctive styling elements.
All trim levels come with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. That’s a decent amount of power, but it’s saddled with a hefty curb weight that results in poor acceleration and cumbersome handling. Fuel economy is also disappointing at 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city/27 mpg highway).
On the upside, the Cascada features front-wheel drive, making it a more compelling all-weather choice. It also has a more passenger-friendly back seat. Spacious it is not, but in the realm of convertibles, it’s about as good as you can expect within any semblance of this price point. Its trunk is also comparatively huge, offering 13.7 cubic feet with the top up (about what you’d get in a compact sedan) and 9.8 cubic feet when the roof is lowered (one of the better figures for a convertible).
When it comes to space and feature content, the 2017 Buick Cascada is uniquely positioned to offer things no other midsize convertible can match. In most other respects, however, the Cascada leaves much to be desired and we think that more appealing convertibles can be found here on Edmunds.com that will better meet your needs.
2017 Buick Cascada Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Buick Cascada and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Cascada featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Buick Cascada and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Cascada 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Cascada.
Vehicle
Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Review
Its not a hot Rod, its a nice mix of sport- luxury. Feels very stable and firm not pushed around on the road like lighter vehicles. It gets a lot of looks every where we go - the top down in 17 seconds is great, quiet. Fits very nicely in our garage turns on a dime.. Hits 80MPH before you know it.. Nothing bad at all to say about it. Love the color of the car and the large wheels makes it look very sporty and stylish - the technology is plenty fine - its a car not a computer- I feel its quiet with roof up or down. Would recommend for anyone that enjoys a convertible and the free feeling driving experience at a GREAT price!! Couldn't believe I got the 2017 LOADED for $10K less than a 2013 AUDI..
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Buick Cascada
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Buick Cascada earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.5 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Buick Cascada 2017 Submodel Types: Convertible
Available Trims: Premium, Sport Touring, 1SV
Exterior Colors: Ebony Twilight Metallic, Smoked Pearl Metallic, True Blue Metallic, Deep Sky Metallic, Summit White, Flip Chip Silver Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Sport Red, Toasted Coconut Metallic, Graystone Metallic
Interior Colors: Jet Black w/Jet Black Accents leather, Light Neutral w/Jet Black Accents leather
Popular Features: 2nd Row Bucket Seats, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Back-up camera, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Mobile Internet, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Parking sensors, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Remote Start, Soft Top, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Upgraded Headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Navigation
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended)
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
