Buick’s first convertible in a quarter century will reach US showrooms in the beginning of next year priced from $33,990, which includes destination.
GM’s marketing material made it a point to highlight the fact that the new (Opel-based) Buick Cascada will “offer more standard content, a more powerful standard engine and a lower starting price than the Audi A3 Cabriolet” that starts at $37,525 with delivery fees, a $3,535 difference.
There’s a lot more to any car than just power figures, equipment and price, but if we were Buick, we’d also mention the fact that the Cascada is essentially an Audi A5 Cabrio-sized model being longer overall at 184.9 inches (4,696 mm) vs. 182.1 inches (4,625mm), with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 106.1 inches (2,695mm) vs. 108.3 inches (2,750mm). The A3 Cabrio measures 175.4 inches (4,455mm) long and rides on a wheelbase of 102.2 inches (2,595mm).
Buick says that the Cascada offers 13.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the soft top up and 9.8 cubic feet with the top down, together with 50/50-split rear seat.
The only engine available for the Cascada is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four rated at 200hp and 206 lb-ft (280Nm) or 221 lb-ft (300Nm) in overboost function, hooked up to a six-speed automatic driving the front wheels.
There will be two trim levels available, with the base $33,990 model getting an electro-hydraulic power roof that lowers in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph, LED daytime lamps and taillights, infotainment and navigation combo with a 7-inch touchscreen, dual zone climate, rear view camera, remote start, 20-inch alloys, heated leather front seats and steering wheel, Rear Park Assist and more.
A Premium model, priced at $36,990, adds Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, automatic headlamps and wipers, Front Park Assist, different 20-inch wheels, plus front and rear air deflectors.
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