When we first drove the Buick Verano several months ago, we described it as “numbingly quiet”. All that is thanks to the innumerable amount of time Buick engineers spent Quiet-Tuning the cabin (yes, we just used Quiet Tuning as a verb… perhaps it can become a trend). We just had a chance to drive the Verano again — and were more than astonished by the almost unbelievable cabin quietness. So we dug in to understand exactly why the car was so silent, and here’s what we came away with:
- Extra-thick acoustic laminated glass in the windshield and side glass block wind noise from entering the cabin
- 5 layers of thermal-acoustic material in the headliner and dual-density carbon help absorb stray sounds
- Going beyond the materials directly affecting the interior, hydraulic ride bushings and an isolated engine cradle reduce or eliminate vibration pathways to the cabin
- Nylon baffles are filled with sound-absorbing foam; they’re used in various hollow portions of the body structure
- Sound isolation material made from recycled denim is sandwiched between the structural components of the rear body
- The engine’s intake and exhaust systems have been specifically tuned for quiet performance
- The brake and fuel lines have been isolated to prevent vibrations
- Even the 18-inch multi-spoke wheels are specially-designed to minimize road noise
Overall, all these changes and additions pile up to 3,484 pounds (1,570 kg) of curb weight — putting the Verano on the heavy side of the compact car class. But having just driven one (again), we’d say it’s more than worth it… because it’s so astoundingly quiet. Now, we have to wonder if the Chinese-market Buick Excelle GT/XT also received the same Quiet Tuning treatment.
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Comments
wait are you telling me that my old jeans could be in a buick. cool. also this should be buicks calling card. make them the quietest cars in their segments.
Yes, it is very quiet; I drove one and it is as nice as any Cadillac or Lexus I have ridden in for sure…..I wonder if the ATS and the Impala will benefit from all this???
they would but Quiet Tuning should be a buick exclusive
Yes, the term quiet tuning should be exclusive to Buick…..but the other cars will hopefully use the Buick-developed knowlege to make their cars quiet also, I think? Anyway, Buick is certianly back in a very good way
so sleepy. Yawn .
All this quiet makes you sleepy???? Don’t drive that way……
that’s all fine that is so quiet, but curb weight has been a general motors problem. Almost every GM vehicle that comes out is thousands of pounds heavier than the competitor’s. Can you imagine the mpgs that some of these great engines would be achieving if the vehicle is lighter, not only that but the handeling as well?
Thousands of pounds would be a slight hyperbole. Hundreds? Perhaps. But the added weight provides extra solidity to the vehicle, especially at highway speeds. And the fact that this is supposed to be a luxury vehicle means it should drive like one. In this case, heavier is better.
Yes, Alex…..a few hundred for the luxury of it…anyone who does not like the car should buy something else, I think
hehe,i know it’s only a few hundred lbs, i guess i became a little too adamant. :o)
True, heavier makes it more planted, but gets ugly when stopping accelerating and cornering are involved.
The 2.4 is a dog at this weight.
Maybe i’m just grumpy because i want a small RWD car that doesn’t weigh almost 2 ton, doesn’t break the bank, and offers spirited performance – something i can’t find in any GM line up right now. :o(
Just a hunch, but I think GM will come through for us in that segment… sooner rather than later. 🙂
Also in regards to Verano and weight, there is a certain point at which it’s too much (too heavy). I don’t think the Verano is at that point at all. I’d call it “healthy”. You’ve you driven one?
Yeah, i’ve driven one. I love the build quality and size, but as it’s been said about the 2.4, there’s just not enough. I however, never heard any of the thrasiness coming when you floor it or push her hard.
i hope you’re right about something in the pipeline!
Ricardo….I did not notice a lot of engine noise when driving at all…..at idle, I did hear some rattles and banging a bit…..not as quiet as I would have thought….2.5 should take care of it I hear
If anything, the 2.4 is a dog of an engine.
I thought you liked the 2.4 liter, Alex…..yet, the 2.5 should be better and quieter as you already said
I do like the 2.4, for what it is. But I don’t think it’s a suitable choice for a luxury car like the Verano. It yells, screams, and howls — and isn’t very suitable for a vehicle that the Verano is trying to be. Quiet Tuning does a great job to drown it out, but the 2.5 wouid be much better.
Then again, the Verano is a bit of an enigma when it comes to luxury features and options. For instance, you could get a heated steering wheel (nice!) but can’t option tr car to have power adjustable seats, let alone ones with memory (sucks). That’s a poor option choice for a “luxury” vehicle.
I bet tne new Verano coming out in Fall will be updated to be the car you want it to be, Alex….2.5 and a turbo option…maybe more standard items and a bit more flair…..I think it will do very, very well with the new engines offered!
I hope you’re right, Dan. The entire Buick line needs to move upmarket.
As for the 2.0T… not sure how many will spring for it. I’m of the opinion that they should instead use the resources of introducing the 2.0 turbo in the Verano to put it into a performance Cruze.
Alex, you are correct…..so many reviewers and those on this site have complained about the 2.4 so the option of a turbo and the new 2.5 should help a great deal…the 2.5 is also in ATS as we discussed so it should be more than adequate…..will be fun to see what changes are made for the ’13 model…..still think this car is a sleeper ready to wake up and go!!!!! When I drive a new ATS I can compare the two….bet Buick will still look very good 🙂
Yes, the Turbo will not sell as well as the 2.5 but I think will pull a lot of young Euro-type drivers in to drive it…..also wonder how many ATS lookers will wander in to Buick for a drive? I wish them well…..our dads would like us driving these cars!
Alex, have you heard what the upgrades if any will be for Verano? I suppose some new colors and tweeks?
Not yet. But we’ll be the first to publish them when we get ’em 🙂
maybe some dealer and salesman need to do some home work and they dont look stupid if you ask question about the gm product..
I am seeing the Verano around town….white and silver so far….a nice car
From specs I’ve been seeing, Verano and ATS are almost identical size and same 2.5 engine/tranny….except the base ATS has vinyl seats compared to leather on top-of-the-line Verano…I bet a lot more similar than I thought…ATS more elegant design o course,,,genuine wood, etc…..
I saw the bronze verano with cashmere at dealer today….stunning! Salesman said new colors for 2013 and they will be out in august…also the 2.5 and 2.0 Turbo….don’t know if any iother changes or updates are in works also. That is latest I know…..Sure a beautifully carfted car in every little detail
‘m glad to see brands like Buick and Lincoln getting their heads out of their asses but with that said, this car is seriously boring! Everything about the design of this car says, “generic”. I’ll get down voted for this but It looks like every other design from GM. Lackluster.
I’d respectfully disagree and question whether you’re fully comprehending the purpose of Buick in the first place.
For starters, I find the styling of this car absolutely gorgeous. And if its conservative, it’s for a purpose.
I won’t delve too much into this, as I think some are tired of my repeating the same thing, but here’s a brief synopsis: Buick is all about understated luxury. This applies to design and the driving characteristics of the vehicles. Think Lexus circa early-mid 2000s. Want adrenaline-pumping design and driving experience? Cadillac is your answer. There’s rhyme and reason in the reincarnated Buick in that the luxury auto market Is split into vastly different experiences: one is soft and quiet, the other is loud and brash. That’s not to say that it’s perfect just yet, but its well on its way.
Alex…..correct again. Compare this car to lots of others for the money……Buick Verano will win on most every level. Teh craftmansship, quality details, quiet, lovely interior, etc……it is a winner…..by Fall, with the new engine, updates, it will be the one to beat…..I am looking at it seriously……almost $10k less than Cadillac but still luxe………………:)
I wonder if the Verano will lose the chrome trim on rear lights….lots of people do not like…..I think it would be better to change it up a bit…..more simple and LED! I hear a lot of complaints about the faux wood and nickel trim …very few cars have genuine wood (last Cad had it and it looked very similar to Buick) so I don’t see the concern…it looks very nice…better than plain black , cheap plastic
Don’t you go picking’ on my favorite design element — the assbrows! I love them! 🙂
hhhaaaa, Alex. Glad you like the ass-brows…..I’m not so sure but I’d still buy this car 🙂 Still hope they change it up a bit……
Alright Alex, so it looks like we have some details about the 2013 Verano: 1ST Equipment Package featuring a 2.0 Turbo w/ VVT and 6 speed manual (no hp/tq nmbrs yets); Intellilink w/ Navigation; Rearview Camera: Side Blind Alert; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. I wish they would also update the front fascia by removing the front plate slot as well as provide roof ditch body colour.
Ricardo…great info on the ’13 model updates….I have not found out much except that there are new colors and the new engines…I wonder if there is going to be change-up on the rear lights, etc?
Is the Verano Eco-Tech engine the reason it has that rough ‘Diesel sound” when starting up?
You’ve got to be joking about this. My 2012 Verano is and has always been the loudest car I’ve ever driven and no one can give me a satisfactory reason why, other than, “That’s just how the Verano is”. The beast absolutely roars at idle to the point I worry about waking up the neighborhood when I get home from work at night.