2014 Buick Verano Sedan Offers Personal Luxury

Written by Ken Chester, Jr.
Motor News Media Corporation

Introduced for the 2012 model year, the Buick Verano compact luxury sedan is the brand’s first all-new model in the compact luxury segment. Introduced at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the small Buick is defined by sculpted design, refined and responsive performance; luxurious interior appointments, quiet tuning, and upscale convenience and safety features.
Available in the Base (1SD), Convenience (1SG), Leather (1SL) and Premium (1ST) trim levels, upgrades and changes for 2014 include: Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert crash-avoidance, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning safety features are now standard (1SL); enhanced IntelliLink with text message support, Siri Eyes Free and smartphone voice recognition pass-through; heated front seats standard on Convenience, Leather and Turbo models; standard Universal Home Remote with three-channel programmable garage door opener on Convenience, Leather and Turbo models; and new Smoky Gray Metallic exterior color.
Standard power for the Verano is generated by an Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder prime mover. Torque is transferred to the street through a Hydro-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic transmission. An Ecotec 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine is the standard motor for the Premium (1ST) model. Torque is communicated to the pavement through a Hydra-Matic 6T50 six-speed automatic transmission. An Aisin F-40 six-speed manual gearbox is an option for the Turbo-equipped model.
Control hardware includes a front suspension that uses decoupled MacPherson struts for better isolation, providing greater separation of extreme road conditions – large potholes, for example – from everyday driving conditions. At the rear, a technically advanced Watts Z-link design helps center the rear axle during cornering, which helps keep the Verano’s handling responses symmetrical on both left-hand and right-hand turns. The linkage’s capability to center the axle during cornering delivers a more-balanced driving experience because the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension. The Z-link design is also lighter and requires less space than a typical fully independent rear suspension. The lower weight contributes to Verano’s fuel economy, while the compact design enables more trunk space.
Complementing Verano’s precisely crafted, premium-accented exterior is an interior marked by exceptional seat comfort and support, as well as premium soft-touch materials, including ambient lighting inspired by the LaCrosse. Metallic and wood trims and warm ambient lighting make the cabin an inviting environment. Neutral and medium titanium colors are offered on interiors with leatherette/fabric seating surfaces, while ebony, cashmere and a unique Choccachino color are offered on the available leather-trimmed interiors. Verano uses the same premium leather material for the seats that is used on the LaCrosse.
The instrument panel blends with an integrated center stack that houses the infotainment display, climate controls and radio controls. Flush-mounted components within the center stack have a gap tolerance of less than 1 mm, while the instrument panel-to-door panel gaps are less than 5 mm. Verano’s headliner cover is made of a knit material that is one of five layers of an acoustically designed headliner to help quiet the passenger compartment. The interior pillar and other moldings are color- and grain-matched to the headliner.

Dimensions and specifications

Wheelbase: 105.7; overall length: 183.9; width: 71.4; height: 58.1
All vehicle measurements are in inches
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder – 180 hp at 6,700 rpm and 171 lbs-ft of torque at 4,9800 rpm; 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 250 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lbs-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm.
Transmission: six-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 2.4L four-cylinder - 21 city/32 hwy.; 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 20 city/31 hwy. (manual), 21 city/30 hwy. (automatic)
Cargo capacity: 14.3 cubic feet
Safety features
Dual front and knee airbags, front/rear outbound seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, traction control, StabiliTrak vehicle stability control, daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, automatic headlamp control, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, OnStar communications system, rear vision camera, remote vehicle start system, remote keyless entry, content theft alarm, and tire pressure monitor. Leather (1SL) trim level adds forward collision alert, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless start, E-Z key passive entry system, universal home remote, rear parking assist, and side blind zone alert.
Warranty
Basic: 4-year/50,000 mile
Powertrain: 6-year/70,000 mile
Corrosion: 6-year/100,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 6-year/70,000 mile 24-hour
Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2014 Buick Verano sedan starts from $23,700 for the base model upto $29,065 for the Premium model. Destination charges add $925.