The Buick Verano is a compact car manufactured by General Motors' Buick brand from 2011 to 2016. It debuted at the North American International Auto Show on January 10, 2011, during a preview of Buick's then upcoming 2012 model. It is the first compact marketed by Buick in the United States since the 1998 Buick Skylark. Verano is Spanish for summer.
The Verano, the Buick Excelle GT, which was developed for the Chinese market, and the Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra sedan share General Motors' Delta II platform with the Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Orlando, and Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Tourer.
Jim Federico, Executive Director and Vehicle Chief Engineer for Verano, led the vehicle development team and David Lyon, Buick design director, styled the exterior.
The Verano is essentially a North American-market version of the Chinese-market compact Buick Excelle GT. The Verano's unibody construction uses galvanized steel for its front fenders, hood, roof and door panels and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) bumper covers. It incorporates acoustical laminated glass, triple door seals, a five-layer interior roof liner, sound absorbing mats, recycled denim insulation and specially manufactured 18-inch forged alloy wheels, which minimize road noise. Buick's VentiPorts reappeared at the Verano's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.
The standard powertrain is a 2.4 L Ecotec direct-injected DOHC I4 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4 L engine is rated at 6,700 rpm and of torque at 4,900 rpm. The engine is flex-fuel capable, meaning it can use either gasoline, or E85 ethanol (2012âÂÂ13) ⢠2.4L, or any combination of the two fuels. EPA fuel economy estimates are city and highway for gasoline. A 2012 on-road mixed highway-city review by the website MPGOMATIC showed an average on E85, and for gasoline.
A 2.0 L turbocharged version became available in late 2012, for the 2013 model year, as did a 6-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 L turbo engine is rated at and of torque. GM estimated acceleration from is 6.2 seconds, matching the number posted by the Buick Regal GS.
For 2016, the Verano added a new Sport Touring Edition which included unique 18â³ aluminum black pocket wheels and a rear lip spoiler.
The Verano was phased out from the US market after the 2017 model year. The second generation Verano is sold exclusively in China, leaving Buick without an entry-level sedan in the US market.
<nowiki>***</nowiki> 2015 Chinese sales include Excelle XT/GT, 2nd gen. Excelle GT and Verano figures.