Test Driven: 2013 Buick Verano Turbo Premium

I really liked the Buick Verano when I drove it a few months ago because it was an entry level luxury car with its priorities in line. It offered a very high level of comfort, and solid quality for a very decent price, so there wasn’t much to complain about. However, if I had one criticism to make, it would be that the engine wasn’t really befitting of a luxury car. Its power was only passable, and despite GM’s best efforts, a shouty four banger can only be made so quiet. When it came time to merge onto the highway the Verano just felt stressed, and that is not something that will promote relaxation in the driver. I sort of looked the other way at all this because it was such a great value in other ways. Let’s face it, I didn’t really expect to find the epitome of luxury in a car costing only 23 grand. Happily, however, Buick has brought out a new, turbocharged version of the Verano, which hopefully would remedy any complaints on the standard model. I was quite excited when I first heard the Verano Turbo was coming out, and I remember chuckling at Jalopnik’s tag line “The Buick Verano Turbo just slapped your grandma in the face”, so I had to go try one as soon as they hit showrooms.  Read the rest of this entry »