Autoblog

2013 Buick Verano Turbo vs. 2013 Acura ILX 2.4

Michael Harley — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Acura, Buick, Luxury, Comparisons

Answering The $30,000 Entry-Level Luxury Question

Twenty years ago, a comparison between an entry-level Buick and Acura would have matched a Skylark against an Integra.

Twenty years ago, a comparison between an entry-level Buick and its Acura equivalent would have matched a Skylark against an Integra. The unfair battle would have resulted in the compact American's defeat in nearly every measurable category, as the Japanese competitor was arguably at the height of its powers.

Yet the automotive industry has flipped, twisted and merged itself through more than just a recession over the past two decades - it's morphed into a whole different ballgame. Pitting a Buick against an Acura makes perfect sense today, as both automakers are peddling new entry-level models designed to scoop up buyers seeking premium features, luxury appointments and fuel efficiency in a reasonably priced compact sedan package.

Today's battle is between the Verano and the ILX. Instead of wringing out the base models and setting ourselves up for a day-long yawnfest, we chose the most powerful and dynamic variants of each, configuring them with six-speed manual transmissions to liven the pace. This unquestionably made our behind-the-wheel excursion more interesting, but we soon realized that our enthusiast-oriented decision would introduce a whole new set of headaches.

Continue reading 2013 Buick Verano Turbo vs. 2013 Acura ILX 2.4

2013 Buick Verano Turbo vs. 2013 Acura ILX 2.4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2012 Buick Verano

Michael Harley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, First Drives, Luxury

GM Seeks To Define Compact Luxury Very, Very Quietly

Every six months or so, we drive a car that exceeds our expectations. Such is the case with the all-new 2012 Buick Verano, the American automaker's fresh new entrant into the $25,000 compact luxury segment.

Wait a minute - what's this so-called "$25,000 compact luxury" segment?

Buick explains that there is a window of opportunity for a small luxury sedan priced below the Audi A3, Lexus IS 250 and Acura TSX sedan, but above the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. After identifying the void, Buick's objective was to develop a vehicle that was quieter, more luxurious and better equipped than anything close to its $23,470 cost of entry. Even loaded with every option, the Verano won't exceed $29,000, a figure which cleanly undercuts all of the aforementioned luxury imports by several thousand dollars.

Buick flew us up to Portland, Oregon, last week for an opportunity to put more than 250 miles on its new Verano in the spectacularly scenic Northwest. We arrived intrigued, and left very impressed.

Continue reading 2012 Buick Verano

2012 Buick Verano originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #190 - Chrysler profit, Top Gear USA and small Buicks

Dan Roth — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Lexus, Lincoln, Earnings/Financials

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris, Sam and Dan come back for Episode #190 of the Autoblog Podcast, and this time around we talk about Chrysler's profit announcement, the Top Gear USA trailer, Honda's latest recall, the Buick Verano. We also touch on a Ferrari-based Lancia Stratos tribute and GM's prospects for selling Chevrolet Volts. We kick the ball around on a single question before calling it a night right at the hour mark. Thanks for listening, see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #190 - Chrysler profit, Top Gear USA and small Buicks

In the Autoblog Garage:

Ford F450 Super Duty
Lexus RX450h
Lincoln MKT

News:

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk

Runtime: 67:26

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #190 - Chrysler profit, Top Gear USA and small Buicks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Buick Excelle GT sedan debuts in China, U.S. version expected next year

Eric Loveday — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick

Buick Excelle GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Later this month, the all-new 2011 Buick Excelle GT sedan will hit dealer lots over in China. Ramping up for the release, Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors and China's SAIC Motor Corp., released these pics for us. We had some spy shots for you before and even brought you those daring pics of a naked Excelle GT on the loose, but now we have the official pics.

Over in China, the Buick Excelle GT will be offered with the choice of either a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated engine that churns out 145 horsepower or a more potent 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill pumping out 181 hp. The Excelle GT is built on the same platform that underpins the Chevrolet Cruze, Opel Astra and two-door Excelle XT. More importantly, the Excelle GT sedan provides us with a good idea of what to expect when Buick releases their U.S. version sometime late next year. Reports suggest that a name change will occur before the Buick debuts here, and Verano appears to be the front-runner right now.

Gallery: Buick Excelle GT Debut China

[Source: Buick]

Buick Excelle GT sedan debuts in China, U.S. version expected next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments