10 Things You Need To Know About The 2013 Buick Verano

The 2013 Buick Verano continues to improve on the strong start offered by the all-new 2012 model.  When the Buick Verano debuted last year, it represented the first time General Motors had offered a premium option in the compact market in decades.  It also showed that Buick was capable of translating its styling and engineering success to a smaller platform while simultaneously keeping prices low enough to undercut several of its entry-level competitors.  This trend continues for the current model year, helping the Verano expand its appeal to those looking for an affordable luxury car.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2013 Buick Verano.

01. The 2013 Buick Verano Gains A New Engine Option

The biggest news surrounding the launch of the 2013 Buick Verano is the arrival of the highly-anticipated turbocharged engine option that doubles the number of drivetrains available with the sedan.  The Buick Verano Turbo is outfitted with a forced-induction, 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that has been tuned to provide a generous 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.  This unit can be matched with a six-speed manual transmission - another first for the Verano - or a six-speed automatic, and should dramatically improve the vehicle's already healthy acceleration when it comes out later this year.  It also gives the Buick an edge when going up against several of its compact rivals.

02. The 2013 Buick Verano Still Offers Good Entry-Level Power

The 2013 Buick Verano hasn't lost the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder motor that comes as standard equipment with the entry-level version of the car.  This unit is good for 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque, and it is shifted via a six-speed automatic transmission.  The engine is refined for its price point, and doesn't feature the same kind of underhood buzz that is sometimes associated with four-cylinder automobiles.  It also offers solid fuel mileage, checking in with a rating of 21-mpg in stop and go driving and 31-mpg on the highway, proving that luxury buyers don't have to sacrifice efficiency in the name of comfort and confident passing capability.

03. The 2013 Buick Verano Boasts Classy Styling

The 2013 Buick Verano is a full-fledged member of the brand's styling family, adopting the same waterfall front grille and prominent fascia found on larger models while not overpowering the sedan's compact dimensions.  The Buick Verano's looks are also notable for being conservative without falling into the dowdy category, a design decision that keeps youthful drivers in the mix but one that also avoids alienating the brand's traditional buyers.  Small touches such as shiny blue rings around each front headlight projector, attractive 18-inch rims, and a number of metallic paint hues add to the Verano's premium feel.

04. The 2013 Buick Verano Features A Smooth Ride

Small cars are not known for their ability to insulate driver and passengers from the insults of broken pavement and the resounding thud of jackhammers at a roadside construction site, but the 2013 Buick Verano is adept at both.  The Buick Verano's front struts and Z-link rear suspension combine to swallow up potholes and train crossings with aplomb, while at the same time delivering the kind of high speed stability and respectable cornering capability that is expected out of a premium automobile.  The Verano isn’t designed to zip through a slalom like a sports car, but it's certainly not going to embarrass itself when the road turns twisty.

05. The 2013 Buick Verano Comes With QuietTuning

Helping the 2013 Buick Verano keep the outside world outside of the passenger compartment is something called QuietTuning.  QuietTuning is the process that is applied to all vehicles manufactured by the brand, and Buick claims that the Verano is the most peaceful member of its current lineup.  This has been achieved by way of triple-sealed doors, the development of special materials to line wheel wells and other body panels in order to block out sound, the installation of laminated glass that has been acoustically tuned to deflect noise and insulate the interior, as well as the use of rims that are designed to keep the rumble of the road to a bare minimum.

06. The 2013 Buick Verano Offers Four Trim Levels

The 2013 Buick Verano starts out in a well-equipped base model that delivers features such as keyless entry, dual automatic climate control, a rearview camera, a seven-inch touchscreen for interacting with the vehicle's entertainment and communications system, Bluetooth connectivity, 18-inch wheels and cruise control.  The Convenience group (group = trim in Buick parlance) installs parking assistance, a power driver's seat and heated mirrors, while the Leather group includes a heated steering wheel, heated leather seats, a push-button starter, and a Bose stereo system.  The top-of-the-line Verano Turbo adds a dual exhaust, performance-style pedals, and a spoiler on the rear deck.

07. The 2013 Buick Verano Can Be Equipped With Intellilink

All versions of the 2013 Buick Verano come with the Intellilink system, which is designed to serve as an interface between any mobile devices such as phones or music players and the sedan's own stereo and communications systems.  Intellilink offers voice-navigation of a phone features, hands-free calls, and also touchscreen controls.  The LED screen makes it relatively simple to stream music off of a mobile device via Bluetooth, and even allows for integrated access to services such as Pandora and Stitcher, each of which facilitates digital music streaming over the Internet.  Steering wheel controls and a USB port for accessing music and media files round out Intellilink's major features.

08. The 2013 Buick Verano Is Very Safe

The 2013 Buick Verano is equipped with a veritable armada of airbags:  forward dual-stage units, side curtain airbags that extend along the entire length of the vehicle's passenger compartment, side airbags mounted to the front seats, and knee airbags for both up-front positions.  The Buick Verano's electronic StabiliTrak stability control and traction control can also be complemented by advanced gear such as a blind spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert, a feature which helps drivers detect oncoming automobiles when reversing out of a parking space.  The latter two safety systems are new for 2013, and they complement the OnStar telematics system and its extensive array of accident response features.

09. The 2013 Buick Verano Is Affordably Priced

The 2013 Buick Verano base model is priced at an MSRP of $22,585, which represents a serious bargain for those shopping for an entry-level premium vehicle.  Looking at price alone, the vehicle's closest rival - the Acura ILX - starts at an MSRP of $25,900.  Moving over to German rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (MSRP $34,800), the BMW 3 Series (MSRP $34,900) and the Audi A4 (MSRP $32,500) reveals an even bigger disconnect.  Granted, the Verano is not intended to compete in terms of driving dynamics with the Teutonic trio, but in terms of features, ride comfort and style, vehicles like the ILX and the Lexus IS (MSRP $33,795) simply don't deliver the same value as the Buick.

10. The 2013 Buick Verano Is In No Way A Gussied-Up Chevy Cruze

The 2013 Buick Verano shares its same basic platform with the Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, but it’s important to understand that the old days of badge engineering at General Motors have largely gone out the window.  The Verano doesn't share any of its sheet metal with the less expensive, economy-oriented Cruze, nor does it feature an interior that is reminiscent of the Chevrolet.  Both of the Buick Verano's engine options - the base motor and the turbo - are unique to the automobile, as is the availability of the Intellilink feature.  The bones are a match, but as for the rest, the Verano is very much it's own vehicle.