2013 and 2014 Buick Verano Turbo Drive Review and Road Test

[@godawgzsicem]

Test drove this car . Must say it was very torque strong and moved well. The interior was really nice with brushed aluminum trim. Had nav and sunroof. Great driving, quiet and no harsh ride over imperfections in the road. Very good review of this car.

[@superunknown2812]

godawgzsicem yup I own one and every word you said was correct

[@trevorlynn3349]

great review. I learnt a lot. after a test drive I love the quiet ride, surprising performance and great price for the content. I wonder how many people even know that Buick offers this turbo sleeper.

[@duncanmclellan8573]

Alex-- based in part on your review, I purchased a 4400 mile "used" '13 Verano Turbo Manual for under $21,000. There are good deals to be had on this model! Interior quality is a step above the '13 Chrysler 300 I traded-in. Performance is enjoyable; occupying the middle ground between a Mazdaspeed3 and an ILX. GIven those competitors, mileage is class-appropriate. For new Cruze LT money, you can have a quality, high-feature, quasi-sports sedan that you can drive your boss around in and challenge the lower-spec Germans.

[@normt5463]

I did similar in 2013 purchasing that year model Turbo 6MT with 4,500 miles for $24,000. The car has 23,000 miles and I couldn't be happy as Alex's really sums up the car. I added an ecu tube by Trifecta which really takes advantage of premium fuel with no side effects or extra fuel consumption. On the highway the power is amazingly fast, faster than any Japanese V6 this side of the GT-R. It is almost AMG and M quick from 100 mph on up. Well worth the $300 for the tune.

[@danielmarrett5240]

Always wanted a near luxury sporty sedan. Also wanted it to be American made if possible. Too bad Buick is killing the Verano after 2016! Seems the US brands always do that when they have a good formula. If they get heavily discounted, I might just get one. Alex, another thorough review as usual!

[@AlleyXProd]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who died laughing when he popped out of the trunk

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I'm not much of a GM fan, but I have to keep an open mind. The Opel/Vauxhall Insignia is the Buick Regal and it comes across as slightly cheaper honestly than the Verano. The Verano is a Buick version of the Opel Astra. Although similarly styled there is little parts sharing with the Insignia/Regal. VS the Astra, the Buick gets more soft touch plastics in the same shape as the Astra and softer leather. As far as the Audi comparison, yes, but just vs the current Jetta based A3.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Personally I prefer the Verano to the Regal.

[@LayLow83]

Much Better ride than the Regal.

[@kc5077]

Thank you Buick for offering more manuals, that's unexpected.

[@candy5742]

I think this is the best video for this car

[@trevorlynn3349]

agreed!

[@76carmel]

The port holes are iconic for Buick.

[@illitero]

Buick made it so hard to get the manual in this car. Like, it's SUPER cool you had the option, but they made it a special order only deal, meaning that it's nigh-on impossible to find one. Depressing for an otherwise exceptionally appealing vehicle - coming from somebody that loathes GM. I have no idea why it's so rare to find a smaller car that has decent quality, power, and a manual transmission.

[@Opelisc]

I'm from Germany and I know the Astra. Although I can't touch the Verano plastic from here, it looks exactly the same as in the Astra which also uses soft plastic and not the cheap one of the Cruze. Only difference is the colour!

[@gabegoglia5432]

Great Review! Great Car!

[@SurelyYewJest]

This car is a veritable unicorn these days. Buick stopped offering the 2.0T so it's nearly impossible to find a turbo model. When I do, someone has already snapped it up. Finding this car in manual, with a turbo, and all options (which is what I want)? That's a unicorn's unicorn. The naturally aspirated Verano is a good car, but very lackluster for acceleration. The extra 70hp of the 2.0T is what puts this car over the top.

[@realbeetlejuice]

did u ever manage to find one? only 5,127 were ever built..

[@normt5463]

When I bought my 2013 6-speed manual trans I had to look at the pictures to verify the manual shifter.

[@jpk112]

Another great road test, thanks.

[@kc5077]

Another good review Alex.

[@Fabulist]

Really good summation, thanks. Keep up the good work.

[@Tocino_Life]

-> I'd get this Verano/Excelle over than the TSX, CT200h, & the pointless ILX. I would think this car is catered to the grown-up Cobalt SS (turbo) owners and that is NOT a bad thing. Plus because manual!

[@jeffj318]

Great review!

[@ATRichard]

Lmao trunk comfort. Good to know that your luggage or someone who's been kidnapped will at least be as comfortable as someone in the actual cabin haha.

[@kelleredison]

I enjoy your auto reviews, very informative. I find it interesting that newer American cars are being designed for people of, well bigger proportions. Where as what is now considered normal size and weight would have been considered fat 10 to 15 years ago, most of us are just bigger. The reason I have mentioned this is because I like a seat that holds me in one place, I am 5' 9" & 160 pounds. I just purchased a new car and most of the cars tested did not hug me like someone your size.

[@Osquar]

It's not a Chevy Cruze. It's a Opel Astra. All the others are designed after the Opel.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I know exactly what you mean. The Jeep Grand Cherokee we just has was like this and I'm a slightly overweight 6' and 190lbs.

[@eddie054]

The tail lights make a mean face!

[@Doppekidd88]

Wtf is he doin in the trunk

[@evang3943]

I owned two Infiniti G20s (one after the other) and have had a hard time finding an appealing follow-up option that's compact, has MT + some luxury/amenities at a similarly nice price on the used market. While the aesthetics of these aren't the best IMO, seems like a great value used. If you can find a decent one. (Do wish this review had some detail on the shifter/clutch experience.)

[@jimster46]

I've driven the turbo and the Honda accord v6 and am still deciding which to buy. It seems like everyone is driving a Honda.

[@icekk007]

Alex, what is the measured noise level in the Verano? I can't find it in your review

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

icekk007 I don't seem to have a measurement of that. It is one of the quieter entries however so I would estimate 68-69dB

[@mudhudgie95]

how is the shifter and clutch feel and its gearing?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The clutch was light with a long throw and linear engagement, the shifter is medium throw and slightly rubbery. Overall The combination is accurate and similar to the modern crop of Mazda manuals.

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

nothing about its ride quality over sharp bumps?

[@noamzacks3315]

It's based on a car sold in Europe-Opel Astra but with more 'bells and whistles'

[@eganjos1]

Great Review! Do you think it would be worth an extra 4K to get the 2014 Regal (non-GS) vs the Turbo Verano?

[@oliverrojas7117]

Prior to moving up to the GS, note Buick also offers a Regal Turbo Premium 1 Package with 220 hp going to the front wheels and its worth considering if you want the 107 inch Regal wheel base to carry around rear passengers.

[@winlions25]

Traded in 2014 MB C250 for the Buick !, for MB was harsh on luxury ride and less then the Buick for quietness .

[@trevorlynn3349]

it was not that long ago when I could not imagine anyone doing that but I can see it now. I bet the Buick is way cheaper to fix too.

[@realbeetlejuice]

did u get turbo?

[@normt5463]

My 2013 Verano 2.0T and it was the quietest car I've ever owned.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

We all have our vices.

[@robertt3551]

go try to find one of these 6 speed turbo veranos... they just impossible to find.

[@Vanrocco66]

Buick Verano or VW Passat?

[@smokinjoes9383]

The vehicle you were driving was and automatic not a manual transmission?

[@ivanbcanada6454]

It was a manual

[@lancelambrecht6151]

to jc6817,buy a2013 regal gs you won't regret it.

[@ChrisRestores]

lol the way he popped out of the tru k

[@kcirreb94]

i like how agressive the rear looks, where as the front looks like a mouse

[@lancelambrecht6151]

give me the old LHU anytime,270ho/295 ft.lbs.of torque 2013 regal gs,go baby

[@VPoje]

No need for that. Just go see Vermont Tuning and you will jump to 300hp / 330 torque with 93 octane fuel.

[@normt5463]

Or Trifecta ecu tune for 360 lb-ft of torque.

[@superunknown2812]

watcha doin in the trunk there bud?lmao

[@socalguy97]

Just drove the 2014 today, and in this exact color and trim package. Beautiful car. I'm seriously considering. But two problems I can't get beyond. A luxury car with every imaginable option (nav, forward crash alert, heated everything), and a CRANK SEAT for the passenger??? Bare, exposed, gooseneck trunk hinges from the 1980's that'll crush my luggage??? Not cool at all! Love the car, but I'm leaning toward a comparably priced leftover 2013 Regal Turbo 3 that sadly isn't as techno as the Verano.

[@kekistani2373]

this guy is so wrong. A lot of Buicks are rebadged cars from Opel/Vauxhall

[@wyhop6071]

It’s too bad Buick gave up on the Verano and Regal!

[@Skyhawk1987Turbo]

32k for a small car! Give me a fusion titanium

[@keithnewton8981]

No its not this car is based on vauxhall opel which the chevy also use but the buick isca direct lift of the european vauxhall opel it the same interior its even made in europe. But for some odd reason it doesn't use the fantastic european engine it use some old 2.0ltr thing. It does not haveca buick interior at all you need to stop telling lies That interior is the basics gm europe interior in europe it classe as budget interior. . What sort of crap do american drive

[@RetroGamerVX]

I'm sorry, now I'm no Audi fan, but compairing a gm car to a Audi and friends? You serious? This is a mid range, not luxury (although that exterior design looks like something from an old eastern design. That interior is straight from the Vauxhall Insignia and others, been around for years!! Nice review though :o)

[@macpherson162]

BOOOO

[@pontiacGXPfan]

the only thing upscale about this car is its window sticker

[@PaulHojda]

oh look...it's an ugly version of the Opel Astra