Whoops! I drove the Buick Verano a few weeks back -- you might remember when I showed you photos and asked for your predictions as to its success -- and then I got so tied up with Best New Cars that I neglected to post the review. Duh! So here it is: My 2012 Buick Verano review. (I hope it was worth waiting for.) It's an interesting car -- on the one hand, it's exceptionally well executed, but on the other, I'm not sure if the Verano and the compact-luxury maret are headed in the same direction. As always, I'm eager to hear your opinions... you know where the "comment" link is. -- Aaron Gold
Related: 2012 Buick Verano photo gallery
Photo © Aaron Gold
This car caught my attention from the moment of its announcement. Your test drive lived up to basically what I had expected. This car appeals to my brother and his genre of buyer…not car crazed like me, he prefers comfort over handling, not impressed by foreign marques and thinks that by buying a Buick, he is singlehandedly saving our nation. He hates to spend over 25K because retirement is looming, but likes leather seats. Though he admires the Buick brand, it is just a couple of grand our of his budget.
Then again, his younger brother who’s been in the car biz for years just might get him that super killer deal.
I can’t quite agree with your remark about Mercedes not selling small cars here in the U.S., when you’re talking about a Buick Verano as being a “small” car. Although it is small by American standards, the Verano is no smaller than a Mercedes “C” series, BMW 1-series, or Audi A4. At least not by any appreciable degree.
I think the Verano has a market segment. People who buy the Chrysler 200 because they want what they perceive to be a luxury feel from a smaller car, but, don’t want to pay Lexus or even Lincoln prices, should love the Verano as it seems to provide that type of car. It could sell very well if U.S. consumers could give up their addiction to SUVs and CUVs, and learn to get by with smaller, lighter vehicles. A car such as the Verano provides a smaller, premium car for affordable prices. The problem is, as you stated Aaron, the Verano only competes. It doesn’t stand out. What compelling reason is there to buy one?
I, too, think that the Verano is an attractive car, but possibly one with few places to go. In the Verano’s price range, the competition is fierce and deadly.
For example, I recently bought a 2012 Fusion SEL for my wife. Now, while it is true that the current Fusion is about to get a huge redo, the 2012 model that we bought is still a very nice car, with heated leather, 6-speed transmission, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot alert, Sony 12-speaker sound, etc. And, the price after bargaining and a $3,000 rebate, was $23,600.
The Fusion is a larger car than the Verano, but the EPA mileage estimate is actually better at 23/33. And, I would bet that you could get a similarly good, Verano-beating price on a new Malibu.
My point is, the Verano’s pricing is going to limit its potential customer universe to those who think that nothing but a small Buick is going to satisfy them. And, that may be a pretty small universe indeed.
OK, here’s my rationale.
When I retire in a few years, I want to buy a car that is just for me. Not for my wife to drive, not to take on trips, not to haul the grandkids around. My car – for my driving. Problem is, I’m very schitzophrenic in deciding what this dream car will be.
Part of me wants a practical runabout, with plenty of cargo space to haul my electric piano to gigs, as well as anything my wife or I find at an antique shop or garage sale. And I really appreciate AWD in Ohio. Solution: Subaru Impreza 5 Door.
However, part of me demands the sports car I never had, even if it is an “adult” sports car. This side of me loves the VW GTI and GLI (and maybe, the upcoming Veloster Turbo).
And a third part of me wants a sedan heavy on luxury/comfort in a smaller package. Something that will spoil me a little, while still retaining a modicum of driving enjoyment, all without going full-bore into the higher priced luxury market. This is the part of me that is definitely attracted to the Verano. It has a fold down rear seat (so does the GLI), which partially negates the cargo issue. As you say, Aaron, the driving dynamics of Buicks have changed significantly for the better in the past few years. And the interior looks gorgeous and high quality (which to me, is more important than the outside design. After all, I’m looking at the inside when I drive it).
I’m not sure that the lack of a standout feature in the Verano is necessarily a deal killer. Just about all of the cars I have bought have been compromises in one way or another. Indeed, given my schitzophrenic wants, I’m already reconciled to a compromise choice. So a Verano could work if I think it best fits my compromise decision matrix.
It does sound like the Verano Turbo might be less of a compromise to me when it comes out, so I will watch for that with interest. Now, if I can just appease the 4th part of me that wants a convertible…
George in Ohio,
Do all your personalities have names?
Don,
Thankfully, I’m not that neurotic yet. However, as I age further, I reserve the right to change my mind. I did recently contemplate buying a tee shirt that said, “I am schitzophrenic – and so am I.”
George in Ohio just about sez it all. Comfort but adult sportiness, hauling capacity, but not to be shared with the grandkids, economy but quality, If not a convertible, at least a big sunroof. Pizzaz with power and able to run on regular gas with AWD. Oh the curse of dichotomy.
A Buick appeals to me for no other reason in that when I go somewhere I won’t see a parking lot full of the same car as mine.
At age 71 my daily driver is a Mazda RX 8 which I plan to never give up.
Eric, I think the A4 and C-Class are closer in size to the Regal… which, of course, is the Insignia. I’m sure you see a lot of those in Europe! — Aaron