Pros: Competitive pricing; impressively smooth ride for the class; among the quietest cars in its class; nicely trimmed cabin
Cons: Tight back-seat space; mediocre acceleration in non-turbo models
CG Says: Buick’s premium compact car sees a few updates for the 2014 model year. The top model is now named Turbo rather than Premium. Most trim levels add standard heated front seats and a built-in garage-door opener. Forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning are newly available safety features. Verano occupies an interesting middle ground between popular- and premium-brand compact sedans. It’s comfortable, handsomely finished, well equipped, and delivers a convincingly upscale driving experience. The 2.4-liter models offer the strongest value; they can significantly undercut the prices of premium-compact rivals. The pricier Turbo offers welcome additional power, albeit with a slight hit to fuel economy.
