Buick dropped the Verano nameplate from the United
States for the 2017 model year but the compact sedan soldiered on in China,
having received a second generation in 2015 which has come up for a
facelift. The second-generation Verano is a big hit in the world’s largest car
market, with more than 650,000 units sold. GM wants to keep up the momentum with the introduction of the
2020MY.
The family saloon grows slightly in length at 4,723
mm due to the redesigned bumpers – all other dimensions (width, height
and wheelbase) remain unchanged. The trunk can accommodate 455 liters of luggage with the rear seats in place, and up to 1,150 liters with them folded down. Furthermore, the cabin offers no fewer than 23
individual storage spaces.
The 2020 Verano adopts Buick’s latest
design cues as seen on the facelifted LaCrosse. On the outside, it gains the
double wing-shaped grille that intertwines with the new headlights, a more
aggressive front bumper with bigger air intakes, a refreshed rear bumper with
chrome-plated dual exhausts, revised taillights united by a chrome strip, and
new alloys.
Inside, the changes are limited to the introduction
of a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, revised instrument panel,
and an updated infotainment system with a standard 8-inch HD touchscreen that
supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, Super ID, Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife.
GM has also updated the mechanicals by ditching the
1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for two three-cylinder engines from the
eighth-generation Ecotec family. The first is a 1.0-liter unit that makes 123
HP and 180 Nm of torque, and the second a 1.3-liter rated
at 162 HP and 240 Nm of torque. The smaller engine is hooked to a
six-speed dynamic start/stop shift (DSS) automatic transmission, while the 1.3
features a CVT. Both engines are more economical than the previous 1.5-liter:
the Ecotec 1.0T returns 5.2 l/100 km (45.2 mpg), while the 1.3T averages 5.5
l/100 km (42.7 mpg).
Available driving assistance technologies include
Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, pedestrian detection, Following
Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Collision Mitigation Braking and
Automatic Park Assist. The facelifted Verano is available in four trim levels, six exterior
colors, and two interior color and trim options. Prices range from RMB 152,900
(US$ 21,400) and RMB 182,900 (US$ 25,600).
