Manufacturer Buick (General Motors) Model years 2012–present | Production 2011–present | |
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Assembly United States: Orion Township, Michigan (Orion Assembly) Class Entry-level luxuryCompact car Predecessor Buick Skylark
Pontiac G5 (Canada)
Pontiac Vibe
Saturn Astra | ||
The Buick Verano is a front engine, front-wheel drive layout, four-door, five passenger, entry-level luxury compact car manufactured by Buick at the Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan. The Verano debuted at the North American International Auto Show on January 10, 2011, during a preview of Buick's then upcoming 2012 model. It is the first compact marketed by Buick in the United States since the 1998 Buick Skylark. Verano is Spanish for summer.
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The Verano—along with the Buick Excelle GT, which was developed for the Chinese market and produced in China and the European Opel Astra / UK Vauxhall Astra sedan, which was presented at the 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon—shares General Motors' Delta II platform with the Chevrolet Cruze and the corresponding MPV models, Chevrolet Orlando and Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Tourer.
First generation (2011-2017)
Jim Federico, Executive Director and Vehicle Chief Engineer for Verano, led the vehicle development team and David Lyon, Buick design director, styled the exterior.
The Verano's unibody construction utilizes galvanized steel for its front fenders, hood, roof and door panels and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) bumper covers. It incorporates acoustical laminated glass, triple door seals, a five-layer interior roof liner, sound absorbing mats, recycled denim insulation and specially manufactured 18-inch forged alloy wheels, which minimize road noise. Buick's VentiPorts reappeared at the Verano's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.
The standard powertrain is a 2.4 L Ecotec direct-injected DOHC I4 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4 L engine is rated 180 horsepower (130 kW) at 6,700 rpm and 171 ft·lb (232 N·m) of torque at 4,900 rpm. The engine is flex-fuel capable, meaning it can use either gasoline, or E85 ethanol, or any combination of the two fuels. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 miles per US gallon (11 l/100 km) city and 32 miles per US gallon (7.4 l/100 km) highway for gasoline. A 2012 on-road mixed highway-city review by the website MPGOMATIC showed an average 26.5 MPG on E85, and 29 for gasoline.
A 2.0 L turbocharged version became available in late 2012, for the 2013 model year, as did a 6-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 L turbo engine is rated at 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. GM estimated acceleration from 0-60 mph is 6.2 seconds, matching the number posted by the Buick Regal GS.
For 2016, the Verano added a new Sport Touring Edition which included unique 18" aluminum black pocket wheels and a rear lip spoiler.
It is reported that the Verano would be phased out from the US market after 2017 model year. The second generation Verano will be sold exclusively in China, leaving Buick once again without an entry-level sedan in the US market.
Second generation (2016–present)
The second generation Verano was introduced on 27 July 2015 in the Chinese market. This Verano is longer but significantly lighter, more fuel efficient and has more interior space than its predecessor. It is sold in both sedan and hatchback body styles.
Verano GS
A high-performance GS variant based on the upcoming Opel Astra OPC made its introduction at the 2015 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 20, 2015, and went on sale in China at the end of the year. Available in hatchback form, the Verano GS is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-4 rated at 270 horsepower mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox exclusive to the model. Unique aesthetic features include red accents and black chrome wheels.
Sales
* Sales in the US began in November 2011.