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Buick Verano

87 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 11:57 AM

You are in the Buick Verano Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Verano, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 10

#44 of 87 Comfort, agility and privacy in a sensible package by doocue

Jul 01, 2012 (6:49 am)

Coming up on two months/1600 miles in my new Verano, I offer some non-technical observations. (FYI, I’m 63 y.o.- definitely out of Buick’s current demographic target – but am no driving slouch. You’ll find me at the front of the pack, 8-10 mph over the limit, usually testing the upper performance limits of my vehicles.)
 
Verdict: I like driving this car. It feels solid. I never have any sense of losing control – whether rushing on rough pavement, cornering sharply, passing at high speeds or braking hard. The steering is precise – effortless when parking, responsive when maneuvering through traffic, a bit slack at high speeds but straight-tracking. As for power - much mocked on these forums - I can only say that the Verano goes as fast I want it to go. There are plenty of angry and aggressive drivers here in NYC. Few of them intimidate me or my Verano.
 
I was sold by Buick’s quiet-tuning promotions. The technology and claims are real. And there were some unexpected effects. This car is definitely quiet, just as promised. There is little mechanical noise. In fact, at idle, the engine is so faint that a few times, I accidentally left the car and returned only to discover that I had forgotten to turn the engine off. There is little wind sound. The windows are smallish, especially the four extra portholes, and extra thick. This muffles outside sounds, especially noticeable when you drive through a tunnel alongside trucks. The cabin feels quite compact. All its surfaces are well-padded. The whole effect is like being inside a capsule - an airplane or submarine. Your environment is so calm compared to the harsh one outside. It gives me a sense of privacy – of really being in my own world.
 
I can listen to the radio at the same volume level I would in my living room and still have an easy conversation with a passenger.
 
The seats feel more like a living room arm chair. They are firm yet with generous bolstering, good back support and luxurious-feeling leather. Do you know that Pavlovian response when you are about to have the first taste of a favorite food – you start salivating. I have a similar experience each time I walk up to the car. The seat is so comfortable, so perfectly positioned, that my body relaxes in joyful anticipation of the first contact. I did some comparisons, and found that the Verano’s seats are about 2-inches higher than other car seats and not as steeply sloped. The extra height makes it easier to get in and out of the car. Some people like the sports car like feel of very low seats. I prefer sitting higher and upright. I think that’s what gives the cabin its living room feel.
 
There are a few disappointments. Significant blind spots. The front side pillars take a chunk out of the field of view when turning. They can hide pedestrians. And the pillars in the back force you to look much more carefully for on-coming traffic when pulling out of a parking space. The rear window and mirror seem awfully constricted. Although the car is quiet, I am quite aware of sound of the tires on the road. Road bumps produce sharp thumps. I suspect this is simply a consequence of there being little other noise, and possibly because of the low profile tires and general tautness of the body.
 
The entertainment and communications system – Intellilink – offers lots of features, but the user interface needs a little more thinking. It took a while to navigate through the plethora of offerings – Sirius, CD, USB, Bluetooth streaming, AM, FM etc. This requires assigning shortcuts to sources on groups of six buttons, each group representing a single collection of favorites. You have to cycle through the groups of favorites to get to the shortcut for a particular source and if you don’t actually press the button, there is a mismatch between the button’s screen label and the actual shortcut. Ughh.
 
The Bluetooth phone connection requires that the radio be on. There should be some standby mode where the radio is on but if you feel like quiet, nothing is actually playing. Also, the touch panel could display a virtual analog clock instead of the boring Buick logo when the radio is off. This would dress things up. Hey, it’s just a computer. Why not allow display of a picture of your lover, your dog or family? This could be done through the car’s smartphone app. Importing contacts from my particular phone was not supported. But I can use the car’s own phone (yes, it comes with its own phone and number!). It would be nice to have commands to be able to dial separate digits during a call. This way, you could access voice mail or get through office PBX switches or any automated telephone response systems.
 
The car is definitely small. Still, I can push the seats far enough back that the feet of my 6-foot body cannot reach the pedals. Gas mileage is 22-23. Not terribly impressive for such a small car. A full tank gives me about 325 mile range.
 
Sometimes the car looks to me like an ugly duckling, parts of the body seem bloated. Nevertheless, there is an inner coherence to the design. The theme of the chrome “eyebrows” over the tail lights are carried through onto the dash. Study a picture of the control panel and you’ll see how the chrome accents on the outer button edges or between groups of switches contribute to readability. Notice how the brushed aluminum outline is well sculpted. This is subjective, but I think the Verano is pretty and pleasing, even if it is an ugly duckling.

#45 of 87 Thanks for the report by robtroxel

Jul 01, 2012 (9:17 am)

You have a way of capturing the kind of feedback I'm looking for. Going to price one out next week.

#46 of 87 How to display a picture in intellilink by ankith1

Jul 02, 2012 (8:12 am)

Mr. Doocue..
 
I am interested in knowing about this particular thing you mentioned in your review. Please share which smart phone app you mentioned
 
"Why not allow display of a picture of your lover, your dog or family? This could be done through the car’s smartphone app"
 
Thanks a lot

#47 of 87 Re: Comfort, agility and privacy in a sensible package [doocue] by ankith1

Jul 02, 2012 (8:13 am)

Replying to: doocue (Jul 01, 2012 6:49 am)
Doocue..
  
I am interested in knowing about this particular thing you mentioned in your review. Please share which smart phone app you mentioned.
  
"Why not allow display of a picture of your lover, your dog or family? This could be done through the car’s smartphone app"
  
Thanks a lot

#48 of 87 Re: Comfort, agility and privacy in a sensible package [ankith1] by doocue

Jul 05, 2012 (7:02 am)

Replying to: ankith1 (Jul 02, 2012 8:13 am)
to ankith1
I was making a wish. This function does not actually exist. My point is that the Intellillink/OnStar functionality has unrealized potential. The display is probably driven by a netbook-like compact computer possibly running Linux. The image is like a PC desktop. Tt would be neat if the user could customize it. The car comes with a phone app that monitors tire pressure, gas, oil and through which you can send commands to start the car or prepare a route. This could be a way to customize the display - someday.

#49 of 87 Re: 2013 Verano Turbo [thundrbunny] by nrborod

Jul 07, 2012 (11:25 am)

Replying to: thundrbunny (Jun 30, 2012 4:28 pm)
I too await the turbo version--250HP! 260 Ft lbs torque--as much just about as Volvo s60 T5. I think the Verano will have an identity crisis when the turbo appears as Buick is saying this is not to be construed a s sport sedan--but that much power and 0-60 6.2 sec is quick. Will it be overkill?

#50 of 87 eAssist + turbo? by joef8

Jul 08, 2012 (6:38 pm)

We all know that the turbo will be out soon. But various sources on the web say that the eAssist mild-hybrid system will become the base engine for the 2015 Verano. Is it possible to have both: a turbo on the eAssist engine?

#51 of 87 Verano by james324

Aug 04, 2012 (4:05 pm)

Love this car. I never go domestic, but I might just have to try out a Verano in 2-3 years. It will be interesting to see the improvements they make to it by the 2014/2015 models. Hope the sticker price doesn't go up or you can count me out!

#52 of 87 Arrival date of 2013 [turbo] Verano? by billherrmann

Aug 05, 2012 (6:13 am)

Anyone with actual info as when we can expect the 2013 in dealers showrooms? Guesses range from October to January.

#53 of 87 eAssist engine ????? by billherrmann

Aug 06, 2012 (7:29 am)

Could someone please explain what an 'eAssist' engine is. Will it replace the current engine? Possible arrival date? Thank you.

Messages Page 6 of 10

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