The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Buick lets sun shine in mid-sized Cascada convertible
This time of year, there is nothing more appealing than a drive in the sunshine with the wind blowing through your hair. And the Buick Cascada is a 2+2 convertible meant to strut its stuff on the sunny streets of America.
Introduced as a 2016 model, there isn’t much difference for 2017, except the addition of the new Sport Touring trim level. Mechanically the same as all Cascadas, the ST gets a unique paint color, new wheel design, and other custom content.
Unlike many convertibles, this one retains the proportions of the roofline instead of having to “hunch up” to accommodate the necessary mechanisms. In many droptops this makes them look awkward with the tops up — which is where it normally is, except in paradise. Few of us live there, however.
This Buick does a good job of being the kind of convertible that appeals to those who love openair cars.
Research shows that convertible lovers are more loyal to the open-air philosophy than they are to any one brand of car. That means that droptops are a great way to get new folks into the brand’s showrooms.
The 2017 Cascada is a pleasant convertible to drive. In an era where most of the high-end convertibles are using steel tops, the Buick remains a true cloth-top model. The top is acoustically and thermally insulated which opens and closes in 17 seconds while moving.
Granted, it isn’t a luxury car in either price or presumption. It is “reward car” for those who have reached the point in their lives where they can treat themselves. There are plenty of features inside to remind folks that they are driving a prize.
This includes Buick’s connectivity system, IntelliLink, which uses a seven-inch display to show text message alerts, Siri Eyes Free and, if you buy it, navigation. The audio system uses seven speakers to pump out the sound, and which is nice with the top up.
You can also subscribe to General Motor’s OnStar 4G LTE which lets you create a Wi-Fi hotspot in the car. A navigation radio and seven-speaker premium audio system are also available.
There are many other creature comforts, such as a remote vehicle starter, front and rear 12-volt power outlets, heat-reflective leather-appointed seating, a heated, leatherwrapped steering wheel and rear parking assist. But the one price you pay for driving a convertible is cargo space.
In the Cascada you get 13.4 cu.-ft. but just 9.8 cu.ft. with the top down. But since this is a type of car that couples would take off for a romantic weekend without inviting others to sit in the rear seat and share the experience, there will be the back seat to hold the trunk’s overflow.
The interior is attractive and very European. This only makes sense, since the same car is sold in Europe under the Opel brands. All the cars are assembled in Poland. So, the interior is nicely appointed with detailing which emphasizes that this is a car that’s been earned.
The seats are comfortable and as supportive as they are necessary. They are also attractive, fitting in with the rest of the interior. The rears seats are also comfortable, but the legroom back there really requires a compromise with those in the front seat. But the car does have an electronically operated system that moves the front seats up and somewhat out of the way.
The car under way is very balanced and smooth. The Cascada weighs in at 3979 lb. so it isn’t going to be twitchy and difficult to drive. Its ride certainly leans towards the Euro suspension feel, but that’s to be expected.
This is a taut little convertible, not at all soft and wallowing as so many convertibles used to be. The front suspension is GM’s HiPer-Strut independent setup, and it uses specifically tuned coil springs, a hollow and direct-acting stabilizer bar and hydraulic ride bushings. In back there is a compound-crank torsion beam, which keeps the space needed for it to a minimum.
Naturally there are four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist, but the Buick gets StabiliTrak, one of the better stability control systems integrated with the car’s traction control. The Cascada sits comfortably on 20-in. aluminum wheels.
Speaking of safety, the Cascada has six airbags. They consist of dual-stage frontal and knee airbags and seat-mounted side-impact air bags for the front seats. A backup camera comes standard, and you can add forwardcollision alerts and a lane- departure warning system.
Since it’s a convertible, there is another rather important safety feature. The Cascada comes with spring-loaded and highstrength steel rollover bars behind the rear seat that are linked to the air bag system to fire up if the car senses that a rollover is imminent.
Getting you around is a turbocharged four-cylinder 1.6-liter with variable and direct gasoline injection generating 200 hp. and torque is 207 lb.ft. of peak torque, or 221 lb.-ft. of peak torque momentarily when using the overboost. This power flows through a HydraMatic six-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. The EPA rates the fuel efficiency as 20 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
Prices for the 2017 Cascada lineup should be in line with the 2016 models, which means they start at $33,065, then the Premium model starts at $36,065. The new Sport Touring trim line will top the lineup at 37,065 and one guesses it will be fully loaded.
The Cascada is a car that offers people who want the sun in their eyes while cruising down the road. It isn’t fast, but it’s fun and attractive. Just like the people that Buick is expecting to come and buy them.