Buick Verano: 'Small car with big-car features.'

The arrival of the Verano constitutes a major step in a new direction for Buick, but one that General Motors' up-level division seems fully prepared for.

"The look of the Verano is amazing, but what makes it truly exciting is that this is a small car with big-car features," said Tim Jacques, Sales Manager for Schumacher Buick-GMC. "It offers great interior and trunk space, along with the ride quality and quietness that Buick is known for."

Stylistically, the Verano shares the same shape as the Regal, and both vehicles are adorned with similar grilles, although the Verano's seems proportionally larger, as do the headlight pods. The neatly contoured fenders allow very little fender-to-tire gap, which hints at a sporty side.

The Verano's cabin is pure luxury, however. Although base models will come with leatherette and cloth seats, premium models will feature plenty of wood trim and plumped-up leather-covered seat cushions. For any compact car - and not just a Buick small car - this is ground breaking.

Befitting the Verano's upscale leanings, designers added five layers of acoustic material within the headliner and sound-absorbing foam, and other insulating materials has been stuffed into every possible nook and cranny. All door openings are triple sealed, while thicker windshield and side glass provides further noise reduction.

"It is so refreshing to have a vehicle like this in our lineup that adds to the renaissance of Buick," said Jacques. "It meets a lot of needs, and it is a perfect vehicle for so many of our customers."

Other sound-blocking measures include specially-designed tires and alloy wheels plus "quiet-tuned" intake and exhaust systems for the standard 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

"The Verano's Ecotec engine develops horsepower at a much lower rpm than most four-cylinders, and combined with a six-speed transmission, it is remarkably peppy," said Jacques. "And since it doesn't have to wind up to high rpms, it doesn't have the noise that is often associated with four-cylinders."

Standard items include dual-zone climate control and 10 standard airbags. The options list provides a heated steering wheel, push-button start, electronic parking brake, premium Bose audio package and 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers are standard).

Traditionally, compact models have meant limited features and zero luxury. However, that tradition is rapidly disappearing as vehicles such as the 2012 Buick Verano emerge. That doesn't mean the days of the big luxury sedan are over, just that luxury can now also exist in a smaller package, and with much better fuel economy - not to mention pricing.

"We just started getting these cars in and the response has been amazing," said Jacques. "Buick has done a tremendous job."

Courtesy of palmbeachpost.com