Tests and Features

In the past, the Buick division’s forays into the compact car category have been unconvincing. But with the Verano, its more recent attempts are much more positive. To win buyers over, the Verano combines an efficient platform, complete equipment, a meticulous finish and flawless handling. In a few months, it …

The grand poobahs at General Motors (none of whom I know personally) have a colossal task ahead of them. They have to make sure that the noble Detroit automaker refrains from creating products that are too similar to . . . well . . . its other products. Past transgressions, …

This may seem anachronistic, but to succeed in the luxury and semi-luxury car category, you have to market an entry-level compact model. It helps increase your total number of clients and introduce them to the brand so that, one day, they might upgrade to a more luxurious model. Audi, BMW …

Ask anyone what they think of Buick cars and they’ll tell you that they’re for old geezers and that they have ultra-soft suspension, imprecise steering and below average performances. And, truth be told, this description was bang on a little less than a decade ago. Now, this brand, which is …

Buick is not a brand that’s raised heartbeats for a very, very long time. And that’s probably a good thing, since the vast majority of Buick owners are just a few beats per minute from suffering a myocardial infarction. But that, according to General Motors, is about change. And this …

When General Motors underwent restructuring last year, many believed that the Buick division would be sacrificed. Not only did it have few models to offer, but its sales were less-than-stellar compared to the Pontiac division. Indeed, people were surprised when Pontiac was laid to rest while Buick was given the …

I’ve always questioned manufacturer’s bizarre desire to saddle perfectly good cars with uninspiring nomenclature. Perhaps best exemplified by Lincoln’s decision to turn the whimsical Zephyr into the bland (and forgettable) MKZ, it’s a phenomenon that seems most common among luxury brands. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Acura, even Lincoln now use …

This new Buick sure is Allure-ing! Sorry, but I couldn’t resist the temptation of this little play on words following General Motors’ decision to go back to the original name of its intermediate Buick. If only fools never change their minds, then GM has proven its wisdom. Time will tell …