2014 Buick Verano

The 2014 Buick Verano’s pleasant handling and smooth ride quality are standout reasons to put it on your shopping list. The Verano also impresses with its elegant, quiet cabin.

Buick’s Verano is a compact sedan with room for five passengers. Buyers can choose from four trims: base, Convenience Group, Leather Group and Premium Group. All models are front-wheel drive.

For the 2014 model year, the Verano adds two new options: a forward-collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system. All trims except the base model now provide heated front seats as standard equipment.

Exterior

The Verano’s exterior design is clean and sleek. A slatted, shield-like grille spans much of the front fascia, The sedan’s profile is notable for its sloping, graceful roofline. Horizontally styled taillights and chrome accents fill the Verano’s blocky rear fascia.

Fog lights, power-folding side mirrors, projector-beam halogen headlights, daytime running lights and 18-inch wheels are standard on base models. The list of optional exterior features includes heated side mirrors, a rear spoiler and a sunroof.

Interior

Solid build quality is a hallmark of the Verano’s cabin, and the materials used are of respectable quality. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, and second-row legroom is adequate for adults. In the rear, the Verano’s trunk provides 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, a generous figure for a compact sedan.

The Verano’s list of standard interior features includes cloth upholstery with simulated leather inserts, an eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome accents, dual-zone automatic climate control and power windows. The range of optional amenities includes heated front seats, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, aluminum pedals and a heated steering wheel.

Performance

The Verano’s handling is supple and poised, and its cabin remains quiet even at highway speeds. Buyers can choose between two transmissions: a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. All Buick Verano sedans are front-wheel drive.

Two engines are available. The base power plant is 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. There’s also an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

According to the EPA, the 2014 Verano returns fuel economy of up to 21/31 mpg city/highway.

Technology

The Verano provides an appealing range of tech amenities. Base models get a 7-inch high-resolution LED touch screen, a six-speaker sound system, a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera.

Optional tech features include a forward collision warning system, a lane-departure warning system, rear parking sensors, a blind-spot warning system, an upgraded Bose stereo, keyless ignition and a navigation system.