Buick Verano

The Buick Verano is a C-segment sedan (A+ class) produced by SAIC-GM Buick, slotted between the Excelle GT and the Regal. The Verano made its global debut at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show as a strategic model for Buick to strengthen its footprint in the mid-size car market. As of June 2026, the lineup on sale comprises the Verano Pro series, offered in several trim levels including the Leyi Edition, Lexiang Edition, GS Liefeng Edition, and GS Jifeng Edition, with official retail prices ranging from RM128,900 to RM159,900. Significant showroom discounts have brought the nett entry-level price down to below RM70,000. Key competitors of the Verano include joint-venture compact sedans such as the Volkswagen Sagitar and Honda Civic.

Design Language

The 2026 Verano adopts Buick’s latest wing-themed corporate grille, bearing strong visual cues to the updated Regal. Up front, the wing-shaped chrome grille merges seamlessly with the wing-style LED headlamps, creating a more cohesive front fascia. The GS variant features a gloss black wing grille paired with an aggressive sports body kit, complemented by a tri-section front bumper with sculpted air ducts on both flanks for a sharper, more menacing look. Along the sides, pronounced dual character lines combine with a fastback roofline to deliver a sleek, four-door coupe stance. The rear end sports redesigned tail lamp clusters that lend a broad and layered appearance. In terms of dimensions, the car measures 4,688 mm in length, 1,786 mm in width, and 1,472 mm in height, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin features a wraparound dashboard layout; the GS variant adds extensive red contrast stitching, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, and piano-style toggle buttons, further dialling up the sporty ambience.

Powertrain and Performance

Performance remains the standout selling point of the Verano. The entire Verano Pro range is powered by GM’s eighth-generation Ecotec 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 135 kW (184 hp) and 250 Nm of peak torque. It is paired with a steel-chain continuously variable transmission (CVT) boasting a claimed 97% transmission efficiency, capable of handling higher torque loads more reliably than conventional push-belt CVTs. The official 0–100 km/h acceleration time is completed in 7.7 seconds. Under WLTC testing, combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.95 L/100 km. In real-world driving, urban fuel consumption hovers around 7–9 L/100 km, dropping to 5–6 L/100 km on highway journeys. The entire lineup runs on RON 92 petrol, helping keep day-to-day running costs accessible. Fuel tank capacity is 44 litres.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the Verano Pro rides on front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam augmented by a Watt’s linkage. The rear torsion beam is hydroformed using 1,200 MPa ultra-high-strength steel. The Watt’s linkage setup preserves cabin and boot space while striking a practical balance between handling composure and ride comfort. Relocating the 12V battery to the boot aids front-to-rear weight balance, theoretically sharpening handling response. The suspension tuning leans towards the firmer side, delivering direct road feedback. The steering offers decent precision, maintaining solid high-speed stability and composed body control through corners. However, over harsher bumps and uneven road surfaces, rear passengers will still feel noticeable vertical movement.

Cabin and Equipment

Inside, the Verano Pro comes standard with dual 10.25-inch integrated widescreen displays. The infotainment system runs on Buick eConnect, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Baidu CarLife, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Mid-to-high-spec variants receive the upgraded eConnect 3.0 connectivity suite. Soft-touch cabin materials have been expanded compared to predecessor models, with the overall cockpit angled towards the driver. Boot capacity stands at 480 litres, expandable to 1,150 litres via 60:40 split-folding rear seats. However, selected entry-level variants do not support split-folding rear backrests. The rear central floor tunnel features a slight hump of approximately 5 cm in height.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the Verano comes standard with six airbags across all variants. The body shell is built with a BFI (Body-Frame Integral) structure and laser-brazed roof joints. Standard safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. Mid-to-high-grade models are equipped with Level 2 driving assistance systems, incorporating full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Forward Collision Alert (FCA), and Automatic Parking Assist. The flagship trim further adds knee airbags, a Head-Up Display (HUD), automated self-parking, and a heated steering wheel.

Market Performance and Verdict

The Buick Verano was once a joint-venture blockbuster consistently clocking over 10,000 units in monthly sales. In 2025, sales witnessed a sharp downturn, recording a cumulative volume of only 12,369 units from January to June, with June contributing 1,781 units. By March 2026, monthly sales dropped further to 348 units, plunging more than 80% year-on-year. This sales contraction is driven by multi-directional pressure: from above, D-segment sedans like the Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Camry have lowered their price entry points, while from below, domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs) like the BYD Qin PLUS continue to exert aggressive upward pressure; at the same time, brand loyalty toward joint-venture nameplates has softened as consumer purchasing decisions turn increasingly pragmatic. The Verano’s core edge lies in its class-punching 184 hp 1.5T engine, an attractive sub-RM70,000 nett entry price after discounts, and modern dual 10.25-inch displays. Nonetheless, its shortcomings remain distinct: the rear torsion beam suspension cannot match rival multi-link setups for ride plushness, its resale value trails Japanese and Volkswagen competitors, and its digital ecosystem lags behind similarly priced domestic NEVs. Overall, leveraging its "high performance + low price" formula, the Verano still commands respectable value-for-money appeal in the RM70,000 to RM100,000 joint-venture sedan segment, but more comprehensive upgrades in product refinement and smart technology are essential to withstand evolving market pressures.