Vehicle: 2012 Buick Verona with Convenience Group and Leather Group
Price as tested: CDN$29115
Performance: Buick’s previous attempt at executing a compact premium car was a disaster back in the 90s. Buick would like you to forget about that Skylark as far away as possible with the new Verona. Has Buick finally achieved the goal? We will tell you at the end of the test drive.
Although Verona rides on the same architecture as the highly-praised Chevrolet Cruze, it doesn’t share any of its powertrain. In fact, Verona shares the same powerplant as its larger silibing. A DOHC 2.4 liter 16-valve unit, which comes with variable valve timing, electronic throttle and its directly injected. All that said, it has 180hp and 172 lb/ft of torque coming from this smooth and quiet unit. Given GM’s experience of engineered the well-proven Ecotec over the year, this powertrain is basically bulletproof which has been proved to be as solid as a rock. The level of NVH and quietness are simply world-class. The same praise also goes for GM’s 6-speed manumatic. Unlike the unit in Cruze, the gear ratios are much better proportioned. As with all GM auto units, the shifts are crisp and precise without any drama.
However, all aren’t that rosy when compares Verona with its competitions. The biggest problem is its weight. Our loaded version comes in at 3300lb which is nothing less than a porky pig by any sketches of standards. The biggest issue with the engine, however, is that it feels rather underengined given how good the chassis has been. Although having 180 ponies sound potent for a compact, it feels rather gutless even if Verona has the typical light throttle response as all GM products. GM has promised a better powerplant, which comes in the form of a turbocharger unit based on Ecotec, would come underneath Verona’s hood. I say. Bring it on, Buick. Verona needs a turbocharged 4 sooner rather than latter.
Handling: Given Verona shares the same impressive architecture as Cruze, its undoubtly it has an absolutely excellent chassis to ride on. That has given its suspension components are great place to hang its hats. Unlike many of Verona’s intended rivals, however, this car is intended to be comfort and luxury-oriented rather than sport-oriented. That’s very obvious when it comes to Verona’s suspension tuning. The suspension is easily taken a set after pushed through the corners, which is able to settle itself down, after a set of body rolls. As expected from this chassis, body motions are exceptionally controlled. There are some terminal understeer, as expect from a comfort-oriented luxury sedan. As with Cruze silibing, steering provides excellent feel and feedback, without feeling numb and featherweight, as with many Buicks of the past. The entire car’s European influence is obvious, right from its chassis setting to suspension damping. While you certainly won’t mistaken it as an A3 or TSX when driven around the black top twisties, it certainly would serve those who are seeking the same level of silky smoothness as ES350. The ride quality is very impressive, indeed. What makes it so damn impressive is it combines the European suppleness, when dialling in the suspension geometry. All without losing the softness and cushionness one associates with Buick brand. Add to GM’s top-notch Stabiliztrak stability control, its really hard to rear this compact Buick’s ugly heads no matter how aggressive its driver intended to be.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Verona’s pedal feel continues to be impressed. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels firm and solidly modulated. It doesn’t have the spongy and doggy pedal feel of Buick compact of its bad ole days. In fact, its on par with anything Buick has come out lately. Not only ABS doesn’t stepo in necessarily, its pedal remains fade-free after couple of harsh stops.
Interior: Although the trunk liftover is high and side sills are rather narrow, its luggage space is pretty spacious given Verona’s compact dimensions. However, its poppy stick hinges tend to hit into every groceries underneath is an absolute no-no in my book.
There are enough space for 2 adults but rather cramped with 3 at the back.
If you remember the last compact Buick, its interior layout and materials are disasterous. The Verona is everything but…everything else has been finished in quality materials right from the soft-touch plastic on the dashboard to the supple leather seats. The touch-screen is initutive, so do its navigation system and auto climate control. The “engine start” button placed alongside stabilty control on top of the dashboard is a smart move. The main reason for Verona’s church-like quietness is Buick’s incorporate of double-laminated glass all around. That alone put the Verona as quiet as anything I have tested from Lexus and Mercedes.
However, Verona doesn’t come with a full power driver’s seat is something that shouldn’t be forgiven. It only have partially powered for driver and full manual for passenger side are disappointment, given its price tag. When you are paying for a Buick, you expect everything else to be loaded including full power driver’s seat.
Conclusion: Power aside, both literally with the throttle and physically with the driver’s seat. Verona has done a great enough job for those of us, who are old enough to remember how craptacular the Skylark was. Its also serve well enough for those who think Regal is too large, while they find many of its intended rivals are too rough riding. The bottom line? Buick has another homerun on its hands.
Competitions:
Acura CSX
Audi A3
BMW 323i
Mercedes C250
Lexus IS250
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Buick Verona
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Performance: 2.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5
Overall rating: 3/5