BUICK

2012 Buick Verano

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsNtravel.com

The Verano is the latest model in a Buick product renaissance that began with the Enclave and continued with the LaCrosse and Regal. Like them, Verano is distinguished by luxury and technology including 10 standard air bags an available heated steering wheel and a Buick IntelliLink radio system with Bose Premium Audio and OnStar powered connectivity that enables seamless communication between the Verano and the driver’s smartphone.

The new 2012 Buick Verano

The all-new Buick IntelliLink system uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a seven-inch LED high-resolution full-color touch screen display radio. IntelliLink expands on Buick’s current Bluetooth and USB capabilities to allow smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA^® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio^®.

Most importantly, Buick IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices with each vehicle’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Designed to be the quietest compact sedan on the road, while delivering a responsive driving experience. An Ecotec 2.4L direct injected with six-speed automatic powertrain combination is standard and delivers 180 horsepower (134 kW), enabling 0-60 mph performance of 8.6 seconds and an EPA-estimated 32 mpg on the highway.

Verano carries the modern Buick design cues introduced on the Enclave and carried through on the LaCrosse and Regal. An arching roofline connects a steeply raked windshield and fast-sloping rear pillars to give the car a beautiful and elegant appearance, calligraphy-like strokes of chrome accent the Buick Verano, including signature features such as the black chrome waterfall grille and portholes.

The interior with exceptional seat comfort

The interior is marked by exceptional seat comfort and support, design and craftsmanship as well as premium soft-touch materials including ice blue ambient lighting inspired by the LaCrosse. Rich leathers, warm woods, metallic accents and soft ambient lighting make the cabin an inviting environment. Neutral and medium titanium colors are offered on interiors with leatherette/fabric seating surfaces, the instrument panel blends with an integrated center stack that houses the infotainment display, climate controls and radio controls.

Quiet-tuning systems, processes and components are built into every facet of the Verano’s architecture. All are designed to block or absorb sound and dampen or eliminate vibrations.
The steel front of dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats, nylon baffles are used in various hollow portions of the body structure and filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven, the headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer, triple-sealed doors that feature fiberglass “blankets” serve as water, airflow and noise barriers.  

The front suspension uses decoupled MacPherson struts for better isolation, providing greater separation of extreme road conditions from everyday driving conditions; the rear suspension features a Watts Z-link design that helps center the rear axle during cornering, which helps keep the Verano’s handling responses symmetrical on both left-hand and right-hand turns.
 

Verano carries the modern Buick design

Stopping power is handled by a four-wheel disc brake system with standard anti-lock
and electronic brake force distribution, as well as StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control.

The Verano is designed to help drivers avoid crashes while protecting the occupants in the event a crash occurs. Ten standard air bags including frontal, head curtain side air bags, front and outboard rear seat side impact air bags and new knee air bags. The head-curtain side air bags deploy in a rollover crash a collapsible pedal system which allows the pedals to detach during a crash to reduce the risk of leg or ankle injuries, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes are standard.

OnStar is standard on all Verano models. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.

The 2012 Buick Verano luxury sedan will have a starting price of $23,470. The EPA fuel economy estimates 21 MPG city and 32 MPG highway; Key competitors Lexus IS250 and Audi A3.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com