“Great on gas, very comfortable, and stylish. The trunk is huge but it makes the back leg room smaller. Great work car.”
Buick Verano: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Buick Verano is a compact luxury sedan that brings Buick’s quiet, comfort-first character to an easy-to-park size. Sold in the U.S. from 2012 through 2017, it is known more for a smooth ride and upscale cabin feel than sporty handling.
Across its single U.S. generation, the Verano’s purpose stayed consistent: make a small car feel like a Buick. Soft-touch finishes, low cabin noise, and an easygoing ride mattered more than sharp handling. Later years added extra safety technology, a turbocharged flagship, and a style-focused Sport Touring trim, but the calm character stayed intact.
Strengths
- The cabin is designed to keep road and outside noise from disturbing the drive.
- Its smooth, easygoing ride favors everyday comfort over sporty responses.
- Soft-touch materials give the interior a more polished feel than a basic compact car.
- The compact footprint makes it easy to park and live with.
- The turbocharged Premium model adds 250 horsepower for drivers who want more performance without leaving the Verano’s comfort-focused family.
Who it's for
The Verano suits used-car shoppers who want a small sedan that feels calmer and more polished than a basic compact, especially for commuting and everyday errands. It is a better fit for drivers who value low noise, simple technology, and ride comfort over sharp performance.
Buick Verano lineup
Pick the base Verano, or the short-lived 1SV from 2016, for the core quiet-and-comfortable experience with fewer extras. Convenience models filled the middle of the range, while Leather and Leather Group models sat higher and suited shoppers seeking a more upscale version; some upper trims also gained extra driver alerts in later years. The Premium model, also sold as the Verano Turbo, was the performance-focused outlier with a 250-hp turbocharged engine from 2013. Sport Touring arrived in 2016 as the style-focused middle trim, using 18-inch wheels with black accents and a rear spoiler rather than a major performance change.
Buick Verano generations
From 2012 to 2017, the Verano spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2012.
1st Generation (2012–2017)
The Verano debuted as a quiet, comfort-focused compact sedan with an upscale cabin and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A 250-hp turbo model joined for 2013, but the core design stayed unchanged through the final U.S. model year in 2017.
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2017Trim changes
The lineup shrank to base, Sport Touring, and Leather trims. This was the Verano’s final U.S. model year.
2016Trim changes
The style-focused Sport Touring and lower-content 1SV trims joined the lineup.
2015
4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity became standard, and some trims gained an optional appearance package.
2014
Upper trims gained forward-collision and lane-departure alerts. The Convenience trim also gained standard heated front seats.
2013Trim changes
The 250-hp Premium model, also called Verano Turbo, joined the lineup. A rearview camera became standard, while several trims gained blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts.
2012New generation
The all-new Verano entered Buick’s U.S. lineup as a compact sedan with a quiet cabin, upscale interior materials, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Buick Verano.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Buick Verano?
The Buick Verano is a compact four-door sedan with seating for five. It is built around a quiet cabin, a smooth ride, and an upscale feel in a size that is easy to park.
What is the Buick Verano known for?
The Verano is known for comfort and low cabin noise. It feels more polished than a basic compact sedan, with Buick putting more emphasis on a calm ride and interior materials than on sporty handling.
Who is the Buick Verano a good fit for?
The Verano suits someone who wants a manageable small sedan but prefers a quiet, easygoing drive over a sharp sport-sedan feel. Its five seats and folding rear seat also make it practical for everyday errands.
Is the Buick Verano a hybrid?
No. The North American Verano covered here uses gasoline four-cylinder engines. Most have a 2.4-liter engine, while certain upper trims from the middle of the production run use a stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine.
Does the Buick Verano have all-wheel drive?
No. The Verano uses front-wheel drive, meaning the engine powers the front wheels. All-wheel drive was not part of the North American model described here.
Is the Buick Verano a sporty car?
Not in its regular form. Most Veranos favor a smooth, quiet drive, and Sport Touring mainly changes the appearance. The 2013–2016 Premium versions are the performance exceptions because they use a 250-hp turbo engine.
How many generations of the Buick Verano were sold in North America?
One North American generation was sold, covering the 2012–2017 model years. The Verano arrived as a new compact Buick sedan for 2012, and 2017 was its final U.S. model year.
How practical is the Buick Verano for passengers and luggage?
It seats five and has about 14 to 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear seat folds in a 60/40 split for longer items, though the 34.7 inches of rear legroom reflect the car’s compact size.
Buick Verano Reviews
What owners are saying about the Buick Verano.
4.1
Buick Verano
(685 reviews)
“We absolutely love the Buick Verano. It looks so stylish and drives incredibly well. The interior feels luxurious and we look forward to years of enjoyment.”
“I love my new Buick it gets great fuel mileage and ride is quiet and has much spunk for a 4-cylinder I'm impressed.”
“I bought the best vehicle I could afford and love my Buick. Is not to say I wouldn't prefer an Audi A5/6, but I am on a fixed income and an Audi (new) is not in my price range.”
“It, s easy to drive, seems like it drives itself. Like the idea of it telling me when it needs service. Easy to learn the different things that the car does.”
“Speakers in the trunk were exposed. I expected better from Buick on this aspect. Had two rattles after I purchased the vehicle.”