2012 Buick Verano

[@mattg8369]

Back when I had my '12 Regal Turbo (a car I wish I never traded), I was given a Verano as a loaner one time, and was very impressed by it.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Not that they need any defending but that is simply not true. Buick has been highly ranked in quality and reliability for many years.

[@socalguy97]

I had a BMW 3 series, and bought the Regal recently. I'm 33. I get compliments constantly from total strangers, and I've yet to be laughed at or called a geezer. No one can believe it's a Buick...as far as I'm concerned, these are all good things.

[@FejjNagaf]

My friend just picked one up. Those chrome pieces at the rear point to the Buick emblem and continue the flowing line along the sides. It's really nice. Slick.

[@mattjacob9262]

Best Verano review by far.

[@stewardlie]

Fuel efficiency is very bad considering other 2.4 4 cylinders cars. But, that is a heck of value for the price.

[@noamzacks3315]

It's actually based on a european/German car-Opel Astra but with more 'bells and whistles'

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yes, and even more exciting, the turbo is here.

[@76carmel]

Johnny, the hood vents are port holes -- at one time, they were functional, but it's now decorative. It may be cheesy, but it's an iconic feature on any Buick.

[@brotherputin3776]

I don’t think they were actually ever functional (when unique to a Buick)

[@GrayFox0047]

Another great video Tom.. I honestly did not consider Buick - to me they always said old people but this looks quite awesome! A lot of stuff for your money too!

[@aqwayne]

Just saw one on the highway today! So that's what it was... with the funny eyebrows near the taillights :D

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It's production music from FirstCom so you won't have access to it. Sorry. I don't tend to do severe off-road tests because so few people really do that (and it's not my strength). I tend to specialize in mainstream cars under 75K, though I'm not opposed to the occasional high-end luxomobile. Have you seen the Mudfest video? There's a Wrangler in that one...

[@vandreadparty]

Great review

[@knack0125]

Also they fixed the proximity key deal sort of. theres buttons on all 4 doors now vs i think just the pads on the front 2. Have to see one at my local dealer asap.

[@knack0125]

That is my thought since they are in the same size range I believe and similar powertrain options. I'd be torn but probably be more for the Buick but i'd have to see the ILX in person first.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It could be but it's not on the market yet.

[@76carmel]

Tom , for the '13 model the Verano will have a backup camera standard. Uplevel models also get blind spot warning detection as well.

[@Propofo1040]

Backup cam is available on 2013 and up now

[@maximusdecimusmeridius5428]

I don't think it does. I have a rental 2014 version and it doesn't have all the function that this car has. Like it doesn't have heated seat, start button, navigation, sensor etc.. Maybe it's an extra purchase when you buy it.

[@Propofo1040]

Maximus Decimus Meridius The rental is likely not the "leather group" trimline.

[@dodgeyaussie]

Maximus Decimus Meridius My 2014 rental has the camera.. interestingly it also has the lane departure warning and forward collision alert. Kind of unexpected for a rental

[@blablawtf]

Excellent review!!!

[@palebeachbum]

Very nice review, Tom. Thorough and purposeful for real car buyers like me. In a few years once it's proven itself and the 2.0L turbo 4cyl. is offered, I'll likely consider this car.

[@dodgeyaussie]

I Have a 2014 rental for a few days, 32k miles on it. Just drove from the SF Bay Area to Grants Pass, OR, and found it really really quiet and comfortable. Once up to speed it ate up the miles effortlessly. The 2.4 is a bit harsh under heavy acceleration, and the transmission kick downs are similarly harsh. Audio system was a surprise, bluetooth works great and the sound quality is pretty good, however the ergonomics are a bit awkward. It'd be nice to be able to skip to the next track via the steering wheel controls. I also found the the power window switches awkward to use.

[@babyswithrabies]

hey there just so you know you absolutely can skip to the next track with the steering wheel i do it every day. the "SRC" button

[@socalguy97]

You have Buick confused with some other American brand. Buick has a reputation ONLY for reliability. As far as I remember, and at least back to the 1990's, they were always somewhere within J.D. Power's top 10 for reliability. I think (not sure) that they were #1 in reliability in 2007, tied with Lexus, and the following year, possibly 2009, they tied Jaguar for #1.Also, from the 80's until recently, the 3800 made "best engine" list every year--250 to 300 thousand miles is not uncommon on these.

[@MrZanesfield]

Hey Tom just wondering what is the song playing in the back ground and a little off topic do you! ever do reviews for the jeep wranglers, I don't mind that you don't but I was just wondering. Keep up the great work.

[@perdidonoglobo]

Monsieur Voelk, I enjoy thoroughly your car reviews. It is evident that your research is top notch and your passion in delivery is contagious. I'm curious though... Do you really have an identical twin? Or is this evil doppelganger produced by some digital theatrics and a bit of almost academy-awards worthy acting? Some light, will you shed? Merci. Ciao!

[@Rome1017Lights]

GM in general has a great rep for reliability. i should know, i have owned many chevys

[@luxurykid666]

Tom, you may have convinced me to look at and buy a loaded one of these over a new 3 series. Shame I can't ask you for a comparison to the 320i because we may have those in Canada, but none in the US

[@76carmel]

Don't forget -- also, the Verano's competition is Acura ILX and Audi A3.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Gm is doing better these days. I just don't TRUST them as a company. Any company that builds unreliable cars that are full if hard plastic and fall apart at 100,000 miles is not how I want to spend my money. The fact they took a bailout because they were doing this and ppl caught on and stop buying makes them horrible. If you want to support a company like that, go ahead!!!

[@Rome1017Lights]

fall apart at 100,000 miles? my Suburban has a little more than 300,000 miles on it. still runs like butter. And also, a lot of their cars in 2008 where made of plastic because more premium materials they would normally use had gotten more expensive. if they had used them, it would have driven the prices of the cars sky high, and no one would have bought them, which is the opposite of what they wanted. That was simply their build up stage.

[@chadthomas587]

i fucks with this

[@aquateen77723]

Very good review. Nice car...maight even buy one. Hmmmz

[@derbigpr500]

Interior taken directly from Opel Astra, as well as majority of mechanics. Well, at least Buick didn't copy the entire car like they did with Regal, I mean, Opel Insignia, 100% engineered, developed, tested, funded by Opel in Germany. They just put a Buick badge on and changed the interior lighting from red to blue. Why not make your own cars Buick? Taking someone elses work and presenting it as your own is not only dirty, but also says a lot about your competence (or lack of it) as a car brand.

[@CoffeyBrew]

Does it share any suspension bits with the Cruze?

[@jmahizzle]

I think it's a handsome car. The only turn-off is those cheesy hood vents, makes it look a little gaudy.

[@76carmel]

Will you have an opportunity to test the Verano Turbo?

[@TaxiHack39]

I Have A 12 Verano That Looks Exactly Like This One But Different Interior Colors

[@PkBooYa]

Both companies are owned by GM

[@Frost517]

I thought the brakes were soft until you got into them hard. Maybe that’s just a Verano trait and won’t change with new brakes. lol

[@nmende00]

Let me explain to you then. This car is in the same price, weight, and power class as the Honda Accord yet the Accord offers more power, speed, passenger space, cargo space, better mpg, larger gas tank, & better rollover crash rating. On the other hand, Verano has longer warranty, better frontal collision rating and tighter turning circle. Compared to Acura ILX/Civic Si, it's a bargain but compared to a midsize family sedan, it fails the litmus test.

[@bmwmsport11]

Not a bad choice, but if I was looking at a Buick I'd take the regal. If I was looking for a compact I'd take the Chevy twin. This is nice but I don't like the front end.

[@Csubyka08]

i'm sorry , but Buick is owned by Opel?

[@nrborod1]

angry bird's face of the rear says keep off my butt--good idea!

[@norber12351]

its an Opel Astra !

[@chevroletfan17]

I don't even know why you are comparing the Verano to the Camry they are not in the same class. Camry is midsized sedan and the Verano is compact car like the Corrola. The Verano is built on the same platform as the Cruze. So before you speak please do some research.

[@NemarusNetwork]

Did you guys review the turbo?

[@LenovoAppleDell]

yes, i know it's called buick, not bwick

[@tallen35875]

i would take this with the Buick front end, and I wish it had the Regal rear end. those chrome strips are hideous.

[@mlps93]

get the BMW if you don't want to be laughed at and be considered a geezer

[@yummy1234098]

i agree with @camaroman101 the bailouts did happen at a time when people wernt buying just cars but wernt buying anything... and plus all the companies you metioned were foreign and why would we give foreign automakers bailouts even if they needed them, they arent american. also, if you had done your research you would have known that toyota was doing just as bad as GM and Chrysler it just isnt publicized because there HQ is in Japan not US...

[@DevPack]

yea but which cars are selling better now? American cars are....the best selling car in America is a freaking pick up truck.

[@LenovoAppleDell]

Bwick Verano, Bwick, Bwick, Verano-rano... I'm retarded

[@RaidenF8]

I don't think it is very fuel efficient.

[@knightky007]

My next car will be a Buick!! I'm 26, male. Period.

[@TheKiing81]

am 32....give me the regal GS 6speed manuel

[@Slimecrazy234]

Still seems like a generic GM car trying too hard to be a Lexus.

[@Dklew9418]

The exterior is hidious the rear it looks like it has eyebrows and its squinting...