The Buick Cascada is back to prove that a four-seat convertible can live a dual life of luxury and affordability. Imagine your favorite beachside boulevard cruiser got a promotion and a pay raise – that's the 2017 Cascada. Retaining the key DNA of its relaxed, laid-back predecessor, this ride ups the ante with a stiffer, quieter unibody and premium features that would give its high-end cousins a run for their money. All while still promising that signature Cascada experience: the thrill of open-air driving with the top down in just 17 seconds, even at speeds up to 31 mph. So, ready to taste the upgrade?
Read on to learn more about the 2017 Buick Cascada.
The 2017 Buick Cascada's interior exudes an air of luxury and sophistication. The standard leather upholstery gives it an upscale feel, while the heated front seats provide comfort during colder days. The front seats are power-adjustable in eight ways, allowing drivers of all sizes to find a suitable driving position. However, while the front seats offer good room, long-distance comfort could be improved with additional padding. The rear seats, though suitable for children or small adults, are quite tight. The Cascada surprises with a fairly large trunk for a convertible. With the top-up, it boasts a respectable 13.4 cubic feet of cargo space. However, this shrinks to 9.8 cubic feet when the top is down, which might pose a challenge for open-air driving on long trips.
The Cascada is equipped with modern tech features that make for a convenient and safe ride. Standard features include dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors. The premium trim adds forward collision alert, automatic headlamp controls with tunnel detection, front parking sensors, and automatic windshield wipers. The Sport Touring model ups the ante with customizable interior and exterior color and trim features, making it a standout in the convertible class.
The 2017 Buick Cascada exhibits a sleek, athletic silhouette that effortlessly captures attention. Its low roofline, when combined with the harmoniously flowing lines and sculpted bodywork, adds an element of sophistication and sportiness that is hard to ignore. The Cascada takes pride in its 20-inch diamond-graphic twin-spoke wheels that not only enhance its overall stance but contribute to its stable ride and handling. The soft-top convertible roof is meticulously crafted to withstand various weather conditions while retaining its elegant form. When lowered, it seamlessly integrates into the body, maintaining the car's smooth contours. The automatic headlights, foglights, and LED taillights further accentuate its modern appeal. Overall, the exterior of the 2017 Buick Cascada is a harmonious blend of style, elegance, and functionality that allures onlookers and owners alike.
The 2017 Buick Cascada is outfitted with a robust 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which serves as the backbone of its performance capabilities. This powertrain delivers a commendable 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, offering a dynamic drive that marries power and efficiency. While its nearly two-ton mass implies a somewhat leisurely acceleration with a 0-60 mph time of around 8.4 seconds, the Cascada makes up for this with its adept handling and comfortable ride. A key element of its stellar performance is GM’s HiPer Strut front suspension, a standard feature in the Cascada. This innovative technology curtails torque steer, heightens steering feel, and enhances ride quality. The Cascada's sturdy body structure, another noteworthy feature, provides excellent cornering ability without sacrificing the comfort one expects from a Buick vehicle.
Efficiency is key in today's automotive landscape, and the 2017 Buick Cascada doesn't disappoint in this regard. The Cascada offers a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 23 miles per gallon, breaking down to 20 MPG in the city, and 27 MPG on the highway. This makes it a relatively fuel-efficient choice for a convertible, combining its luxury and performance with practical fuel economy. For comparison and exact values, it's always a good idea to check the EPA's website.
The 2017 Buick Cascada puts a lot of emphasis on safety and comes equipped with a range of features to protect you. Just so you know, it wasn't tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). But don't worry, it still has plenty of safety features like rollover bars that pop up if a rollover is detected, and front and rear park assist. If you want more info on the Buick Cascada's safety features, check out the NHTSA and IIHS websites.
The 2017 Buick Cascada presents itself as a charming convertible oozing with a blend of comfort, style, and decent performance. On the plus side, the Cascada offers a quiet, comfortable ride, brags a longer list of standard features than most rivals, and wows us with its roomy trunk (as long as you leave the top up). However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The Cascada feels heavy and slow on the road – not quite the sporty character it suggests from the outside. The back seat is a tight squeeze, and once you let the top down, your luggage space takes a hit. In the fuel efficiency department, it's pretty average, and while it's packed with safety features, it does lack official safety ratings.
So, would we recommend the 2017 Buick Cascada? Well, it's perfect for a leisurely Sunday cruise or a short romantic getaway. But if you're looking for a sporty drive or have a family to haul around, you might want to keep on looking. Our verdict? It's a stylish, comfortable convertible for those who value luxury and aren't in a rush to get anywhere. It's not going to set your heart racing, but it sure will turn heads in the parking lot.
