The 2018 Buick Cascada promises to be a reasonably priced four-person luxury convertible. Unfortunately, under its sleek shell the Buick Cascada is an aging vehicle that is not up to the standards of today's market. It simply can't compete in terms of price, performance, comfort, features or quality.

We do like the Cascada's low levels of interior noise for a convertible. And, yes, the trunk is more sizable than other convertibles'. But that's only if you commit to top-up motoring and close the partition that lets you lower the roof. Beyond that, the car's substantial weight and small engine conspire to make it slower, less efficient and less gratifying to drive than its competitors. Meanwhile, the dated interior is packed with buttons and a touchscreen infotainment system that's decidedly a generation behind those of competitors. It doesn't help that the firm seats and hard plastics within don't live up to the badge's premium aspirations.

Before committing to a Cascada, we recommend test-driving some of the Buick's competitors. The Ford Mustang convertible offers a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine, more comfortable front seats, and a folding roof that doesn't interfere with trunk space.

If you don't like the sports-car look, there's the Mini Convertible, which feels more premium, is more fun to drive, and is only a little less utilitarian than the Cascada when the top comes down. The Cascada's top trim level is even priced within spitting distance of the Audi A3 Cabriolet, which in base trim offers similar equipment and a significantly more upscale experience.

trim levels & features

The 2018 Buick Cascada convertible is offered in three trim levels: base, Premium and Sport Touring. All trims come with largely the same equipment, with the Premium receiving a handful of upgrades and the Sport Touring primarily being an appearance package.

Powering all versions 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.

Standard equipment for the base model (referred to as simply Cascada) includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-operated convertible soft top, adaptive xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors and remote engine start. Inside, you'll find 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, a rearview camera, OnStar (with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot), and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and a USB media interface.

The Cascada Premium adds foglights, automatic wipers, automatic headlights, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, air deflectors for the front and rear seats, and a 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 flat-bottom steering wheel.

trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring Red Sport (turbo 1.6L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

driving

It's heavy, underpowered and saddled with an indecisive transmission. As such, the Cascada is slow, and the numb steering and poor handling don't inspire confidence. Brake pedal feel is a high point, but poor braking performance undermines that lone plus. This car is clearly designed for cruising.

acceleration

The engine is lackadaisical until it's high in the rpm range, where it sadly sounds unhappy. The transmission is too eager to change gears, making gas pedal modulation more difficult than it should be. Our tested 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds makes the Cascada one of the slower cars on the road.

braking

The firm and responsive brake pedal offers a good amount of feedback and is undoubtedly the Cascada's strongest dynamic feature. The car remains stable, even during panic stops. Unfortunately, we measured a longer than average stopping distance for this class.

steering

2.5

While the steering is precise, it lacks a natural buildup of resistance as you turn the wheel, and it has almost no useful feedback. This makes it hard to judge what's happening at the front wheels and to trust what limited capabilities this car has.

handling

There's generous body roll in turns. The Cascada's SUV-like 4,000-pound curb weight coupled with its other dynamic shortcomings conspire to make this a car that is neither capable nor confidence-inspiring. It approaches its limits rapidly and with little warning.

drivability

Even on flat roads, the transmission is almost always hunting — grabbing a higher gear the moment you ease up, then downshifting when you ask for even a little bit of power. It's also difficult to judge where the corners of the car are, which makes maneuvering in tight spaces a challenge.

comfort

The Cascada's top does a good job of insulating the cabin, and the seats accommodate a range of body types, though they start to wear on long drives. The ride quality is also poor, especially at the price. We appreciate that the climate control relies on buttons, but the layout isn't very intuitive.

seat comfort

The seats are shaped to accommodate a number of body types, but they are a bit flat and firm, which means they don't do very much to improve ride comfort. On longer drives, we also found ourselves fidgeting as the seats got a little swampy; the stiffness begins to wear on you after a while.

ride comfort

2.5

The Cascada manages to mitigate larger impacts, but the overall ride feels far too stiff-legged and busy. Even on relatively smooth pavement, you feel every imperfection. It's not harsh, but it also isn't pleasant, and it feels surprisingly downmarket considering our tester's price.

noise & vibration

3.5

Noise insulation is good for a convertible, with the soft top doing a good job of keeping out the sound of traffic. There's noticeable wind, road and tire noise, but it's on par with what we'd expect from this class.

climate control

The climate control system works well, managing cabin temperature nicely. While we appreciate tactile interfaces, there are quite a few buttons, and they're not all sensibly organized. There is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's a straightforward system.

interior

2.5

We appreciate the comfortable seating position and well-insulated soft top, but many of the controls are illogically organized, and the touchscreen is outdated and difficult to reach. The high beltline and short windscreen hurt visibility and make the car feel small inside.

ease of use

The steering wheel controls are easy to learn, but beyond that the Cascada has issues. The recessed touchscreen requires leaning out of your seat to reach it, and the interface is dated and not streamlined. The many buttons on the center stack are not logically organized and take a while to master.

getting in/getting out

The high front seats for a convertible are a promising start for easy entry and exit. But there's a surprisingly high and wide step-over. Overall, getting in and out in moderately tight parking spaces can be difficult. Accessing the rear seats is a real squeeze.

driving position

Longer-legged drivers might wish for more steering-wheel telescope, but the primary controls are in easy reach and the position is comfortable. But the driver sits very low relative to the dash and beltline, which hurts visibility and feels claustrophobic.

roominess

The car feels small inside, especially with the low front windshield that adds to the feeling of closeness even with the top down. Front passengers have enough space, but rear head- and legroom is too restrictive for most adults, and the removable wind blocker renders the rear seat unusable.

visibility

With the top up, rear visibility is impaired because of the small rear window. It's also hard to tell where the front end or the corners of the car are. The small side mirrors, poor overall visibility and lack of blind-spot monitoring complicate lane changes.

quality

We were disappointed to note a number of creaks and squeaks from around the cabin while driving since our tester showed less than 2,000 miles on the odometer. There's also quite a lot of hard plastic around the interior, though the touch points are mostly padded or covered in soft-touch material.

utility

The Cascada offers some of the utility of a compact car, but only as long as you're willing to forgo using the convertible top. Unfortunately, it lacks many of the clever storage solutions commonly found in newer vehicles. The manual trunk partition that allows the top to work is not convenient.

small-item storage

The door pockets are made to fit water bottles, and the car also has a sort of phone cubby/tray and standard cupholders. The center console box and glovebox are relatively small. The Cascada straddles two segments, and for a convertible the storage isn't bad, but for a small car it's lacking.

cargo space

There's a manually folding partition in the trunk that must be in place to lower the top. With the top disabled, the 13.4-cubic-foot trunk is average for a small car, although the trunk opening is small. With the partition in place, the usable cargo space drops to about average for a small convertible.

child safety seat accomodation

2.5

The rear outboard seats offer LATCH anchors, but access is difficult because the front seats don't leave much space and have a tendency to move back if not held in place. With the top up, situating a child seat would require some contortions, but it's possible.

technology

The Cascada's technology is notably outdated, with a clunky navigation interface, poor smartphone integration and frustrating voice controls. It also lacks most of the driver aids that are common in cars at its price point.

audio & navigation

2.5

Sound quality is OK for a premium vehicle but nothing more. The navigation system has quite a few features, but using them is an exercise in patience. Voice commands can be hit-and-miss, and using the screen interface isn't a straightforward process. The system looks and feels dated.

smartphone integration

The Cascada has Bluetooth but doesn't support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. With only one USB port, charging and USB music options are limited, and the USB interface is poorly optimized. The audio system switches to USB any time a device is plugged in, a minor but persistent irritation.

driver aids

The Cascada has forward collision alert and some very loud forward and rear proximity sensors, but no driver aids or active safety features beyond that. There is a rearview camera, but it's low to the ground and presents an awkward and low-resolution view. At this price, we expect more.

voice control

The voice controls are very particular about phrasing and procedure, which can make them frustrating to work through. There are spoken prompts, but no on-screen guide. In fact, the voice system prompts you to check the manual for a full list of commands. It's another system that feels outdated.

Top consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2018 Buick Cascada.

4 reviews

GREAT FOR WHAT IT IS

ELLIOT GEIMAN, 4/15/2018

Having traded in a 328i hardtop convertible our expectations were high. This car is everything the BMWis not; roomier, quieter, more comfortable seats and a more relaxing ride. The Buick seems to be an easier car to live with even with some of the shortcomings mentioned. If you do not need a European performance car this is worth looking at.

First Class!

Dusty Williams, 1/7/2018

Remember that this is basically a two seater car! Not fun for anyone stuck in the backseat for a long drive.

better than you think

jimmy, 7/30/2018

The center stack for the controls is the only low part of this auto, otherwise very nice vehicle. Many, Many, nice features. and it has plenty of pep. I have owned over a dozen rage tops. Best soft top I haver ever had, by far. Jim

Much Nicer Than They Say

willie, 8/12/2018

I just bought one of these, and regardless of the negatives that people point out, I absolutely love it. My wife loves it, and my daughter loves it. Much more room and comfort than in the BMW 4 Series we drove. So much is standard on this car. It is roomy, comfortable, and does everything I want it to do. The rear seats are actually usable for average-size people. I can fit a set of golf clubs into the trunk if I take the woods out of the bag and put the woods in the back seat. You can't put the clubs in or out with the top down, though. I put the clubs in, then lower the shield and the top. When I get to the course, I raise the top and the shield, then remove the clubs. I love that the rear seat backs fold forward to increase the trunk space. As for being a dog, it really isn't. I used to own a Pontiac Firebird 400 4-speed back in the day, so I'm no stranger to a performance car. 0 to 60 in 8.3 seconds? So what? I never do that, and I doubt that you do either. I go from maybe 20/25 to 70/75 up an acceleration lane to merge on a highway, and it handles that just fine, thank you. Passing on the highway? Again, no problem. The turbo handles that with barely a touch of the gas peddle. The other knock is all the buttons on the dash. These buttons are redundant functions found in the on-screen menus. Well guess what? When I want to do something while driving at 70 mph, I much prefer pressing a labelled button to drilling down through on-screen menus (even though the Cascada responds to voice commands for calling, changing radio stations, etc.). And secondly, on a bright sunny day with the top down, the screen can be a little hard to see, like your cell phone in the sun. So again, give me those redundant buttons. Once you know what they do it's no big mind-boggling confusion factor like everyone seems to think. Someone did mention that with the top down and no one in the passenger seat, the passenger seat belt clip rhythmically hits the door post and it's irritating. Well it does - lol. I took care of that by putting a thin strip of self-stick furniture pad on the door post. No more noise. My only knock is I really, really don't like red interior lighting on the dash. But I wasn't going to not buy the car for that. As for the ride, it is nowhere near as harsh as I expected with the 20-inch wheels. And finally, since I started looking for a convertible a couple of years ago, I see so many BMWs and Audis. It's nice to stand out from the crowd a bit, and everyone that sees it tells me what a beautiful car it is. Oh, sorry, one more thing: I chose the 2018 instead of the 2019 because they changed the backup camera. They went from a nice big view on the dash screen with guidelines to a tiny video in the left corner of the rear-view mirror, without the guidelines. I hated it, and it was a deal-breaker for me and my wife. So that's my 2 cents. Color me a happy camper.

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Features & Specs

MSRP

$36,065

MPG

21 city / 29 hwy

Seats 4

6-speed shiftable automatic

Gas

200 hp @ 5500 rpm

MSRP

$37,065

MPG

21 city / 29 hwy

Seats 4

6-speed shiftable automatic

Gas

200 hp @ 5500 rpm

MSRP

$33,065

MPG

21 city / 29 hwy

Seats 4

6-speed shiftable automatic

Gas

200 hp @ 5500 rpm

See all 2018 Buick Cascada features & specs

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Cascada safety features:

Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver when it detects a potential collision with an obstacle in front of the vehicle.
Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver when the vehicle drifts out of its lane.
Automated Rollover Pop-Up Bars: Deploys hidden roll bars to protect passengers in the case of a rollover.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.1%

2018 Buick Cascada for Sale

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More about the 2018 Buick Cascada

The 2018 Buick Cascada is a convertible that promises to combine the practicality of a small car with fun-in-the-sun motoring. It offers a relatively well-insulated cabin thanks to its thick power soft top, and it comes with a trunk that, if you're willing to forgo being able to lower the roof, is large for a convertible.

The Cascada’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque to drive the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately it also weighs about 4,000 pounds, making it one of the slowest convertibles on the road.

This Buick's troubles don't end there. The interior technology is dated, and the interface is complicated by the sheer number of buttons in the cabin. The massive curb weight and its compact-car roots also hurt the Cascada's handling and braking performance. In almost every way, the Cascada is simply behind the curve.

The base Cascada does come with a strong standard equipment list. On the outside you get 20-inch alloy wheels, a power soft top, adaptive xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors and remote engine start.

Inside, you'll find leather upholstery, eight-way power and heated front seats, 50/50-split folding rear seats, a heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control. Infotainment is handled by a 7-inch touchscreen display (with Buick's IntelliLink interface), voice controls, a rearview camera, OnStar (with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot) and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and a USB media interface.

Moving up to the Cascada's Premium trim level gets you a few practical upgrades, such as foglights, automatic wipers and headlights, forward collision and lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and navigation. The Sport Touring trim adds unique paint colors and trim pieces, such as a flat-bottom steering wheel.

If you're considering the Cascada, make sure to read our full review. If you decide it's the right convertible for you, take advantage of our shopping tools to find the best deal on a 2018 Buick Cascada in your area.

2018 Buick Cascada Overview

The 2018 Buick Cascada is offered in the following submodels: . Available styles include Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and 1SV 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A).

What do people think of the 2018 Buick Cascada?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Buick Cascada and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Cascada 4.5 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 2018 Cascada.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Buick Cascada and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 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.

Edmunds Scorecard

Overall2.5 / 5.0

Driving

2.0 / 5.0

Acceleration2.0 / 5.0

Braking3.0 / 5.0

Steering2.5 / 5.0

Handling2.0 / 5.0

Drivability2.0 / 5.0

Comfort

3.0 / 5.0

Seat comfort3.0 / 5.0

Ride comfort2.5 / 5.0

Noise & vibration3.5 / 5.0

Climate control3.0 / 5.0

Interior

2.5 / 5.0

Ease of use2.0 / 5.0

Getting in/getting out3.0 / 5.0

Driving position3.0 / 5.0

Roominess3.0 / 5.0

Visibility2.0 / 5.0

Quality2.0 / 5.0

Utility

3.0 / 5.0

Small-item storage3.0 / 5.0

Cargo space3.0 / 5.0

Technology

2.0 / 5.0

Audio & navigation2.5 / 5.0

Smartphone integration1.0 / 5.0

Driver aids2.0 / 5.0

Voice control2.0 / 5.0

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 2018 Buick Cascada?

2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

The 2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $38,155. The average price paid for a new 2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $4,178 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $4,178 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$33,977.

The average savings for the 2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is11% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 5 2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.

2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

The 2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $37,425. The average price paid for a new 2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $7,229 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $7,229 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$30,196.

The average savings for the 2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is19.3% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 5 2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.

Which 2018 Buick Cascadas are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Buick Cascada for sale near. There are currently 32 new 2018 Cascadas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $36,995 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Buick Cascada. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $7,229 on a used or CPO 2018 Cascada available from a dealership near you.

Why trust Edmunds?

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.

2018 Buick Cascada

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Used

2018 Buick Cascada pricing

Which Cascada does Edmunds recommend

Edmunds' Expert Review

overall rating

trim levels & features

trim tested

driving

acceleration

braking

steering

handling

drivability

comfort

seat comfort

ride comfort

noise & vibration

climate control

interior

ease of use

getting in/getting out

driving position

roominess

visibility

quality

utility

small-item storage

cargo space

child safety seat accomodation

technology

audio & navigation

smartphone integration

driver aids

voice control

Features & Specs

Safety

2018 Buick Cascada for Sale

2018 Buick Cascada Overview

What do people think of the 2018 Buick Cascada?

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds Scorecard

Our Review Process

What's a good price for a New 2018 Buick Cascada?

2018 Buick Cascada Sport Touring 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

2018 Buick Cascada Premium 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Which 2018 Buick Cascadas are available in my area?

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