2017 Buick Cascada Convertible
Pros
- Quiet and comfortable ride on the highway and over bumpy roads
- Lots of features for a reasonable price
- Large trunk for a convertible
Cons
- It's heavy and not very powerful, and that results in underwhelming acceleration and fuel economy
- Dashboard controls all look alike, which can be distracting on the road
- Tech interface is dated compared to rivals
2017 Buick Cascada Convertible pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Though there's no shortage of convertibles on the market, there's been one niche in which the pickings have been slim recently: the reasonably priced, four-passenger midsize convertible. Fortunately for fans of leisurely top-down motoring, the 2017 Buick Cascada fills that vacancy nicely.
The best way to wrap your head around the Cascada is to think of it as a comfortable cruiser. With that role in mind, GM engineers have tuned the suspension to favor a smooth ride over sporty handling. Furthering its mellow vibe is the relatively small 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's tasked with hauling around the car's rather hefty weight, an arrangement that results in adequate but lackluster acceleration.
Inside, the Cascada's abundance of hard plastic materials gives it a somewhat downmarket feel. The plethora of dashboard switches and controls can also be confusing, and the infotainment system is dated in both its appearance and operation. Some of the desirable features we'd expect to find in a luxury model — amenities such as keyless start and a blind-spot monitoring system — aren't even offered.
On the plus side, the rear seat has room for two smaller passengers, with access made easier by a single latch that scoots the entire seat forward. A relatively large trunk is made more practical by split-folding rear seatbacks that expand the cargo hold when it comes time to transport longer items. Still, we suggest comparing the Cascada to more luxurious (albeit more expensive) models such as the Audi A3 Cabriolet or the BMW 2 Series convertible. The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible and the Mini Cooper Convertible are also worthwhile competitors; both are more fun to drive, though they lack the Cascada's interior room.
The list of standard safety features for the 2017 Buick Cascada includes antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and front knee airbags. Like other GM vehicles, the Cascada comes with the subscription-based OnStar system, which can provide roadside assistance, automatic crash notification, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle location.
In the event of a rollover, two stout metal posts, spring-loaded and pyrotechnically actuated, pop up from behind the rear seats to provide added occupant protection.
All Cascadas also come with a rearview camera, and Premium and Sport Touring models include forward collision and lane departure warning systems. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert isn't offered, however. In Edmunds emergency brake testing, the Cascada came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet. That's an average distance for the segment.
In government crash tests, the Cascada has received an overall rating of five stars (out of a possible five), with four stars for front-impact safety and five stars for side-impact safety.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 Buick Cascada convertible is offered in three trim levels: Base, Premium and the new Sport Touring.
Standard equipment for the base model includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-operated convertible soft top, adaptive xenon headlights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power and heated front seats, 50/50-split folding rear seats, a heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen display (with Buick's Intellilink interface), voice controls, smartphone integration, a rearview camera, OnStar (with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hot spot) and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and a USB media interface.
The Cascada Premium adds foglights, automatic wipers, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, air deflectors for the front and rear seats, and a touchscreen navigation system.
Step up to the new Sport Touring trim and you get a unique paint color and distinctive alloy wheels, special black interior trim and a unique flat-bottom steering wheel.
There are no factory-installed options available.
Powering the 2017 Buick Cascada is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. These are strong numbers for such a small engine, but the powertrain has to move nearly 2 tons of car down the road. During Edmunds testing, a Cascada accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, which is slow for this class of car.
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the Cascada is a lackluster 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway). To put those numbers in perspective, the Audi A3 convertible boasts 28 mpg combined.
Driving
From behind the steering wheel, it seems as if the 2017 Buick Cascada's turbocharged four-cylinder engine has its work cut out for it, given that it's hauling around nearly 2 tons. Not surprisingly, acceleration is OK for everyday driving, but situations that require a burst of speed, such as passing a slower car on a two-lane highway, require full throttle and a good stretch of open road.
In its element — a leisurely top-down cruise — the Cascada performs well enough, with secure handling for its size and a smooth, unruffled ride quality despite its big 20-inch alloy wheels. With the roof up, the triple-layer fabric top does a good job keeping unwanted sounds at bay, but there's still a bit too much road noise inside for a car with such luxury pretensions.
Interior
Inside the 2017 Buick Cascada, you'll find an interior that doesn't quite live up to the car's upscale aspirations. The quality of the materials, for example, is not up to the same standards as those of true luxury competitors. The centerpiece of the dash, the 7-inch touchscreen, is a somewhat outdated design that lacks the crisp graphics and uncomplicated menu structure of more modern units. Then there's the sea of buttons scattered about the dash that can be hard to distinguish and use while you're underway.
Front seats offer passable comfort in the short term, but the combination of stiff leather upholstery and limited padding means they're bound to cause some squirming on long drives. Rear seats are suitable for youngsters or smaller-stature adults but, like many convertibles, they can feel a tad cramped with the top up.
Speaking of which, that top can be lowered in a mere 17 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph simply by pushing the button between the front seats. Visibility out the back is passable enough with the top raised, despite the small rear window and high rear deck.
Out back, the trunk offers a healthy 13.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the top raised and a not-bad 9.8 cubic feet with it lowered. The small trunk opening can make loading bulky items a challenge, but the split-folding rear seatbacks with remote releases offer additional cargo space and a pass-through for longer items such as skis and snowboards.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Buick Cascada.
Most helpful consumer reviews
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2017 Buick Cascada Convertible for Sale
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See your car's valueReasonably 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 Convertible Overview
What do people think of the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Cascada Convertible 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 Convertible.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Cascada Convertible 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.
Read our full review of the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible here.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.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible?
2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $37,030. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $9,001 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $9,001 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$28,029.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is24.3% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 2 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on new cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
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2017 Buick Cascada Convertible Listings and Inventory
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Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible for sale near you.
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible and all available trim types. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2017 Buick Cascada Convertible include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 Buick Cascada?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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2017 Buick Cascada Information
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