2019 Buick Cascada

With the 2019 Buick Cascada, you can choose from three different trims; a base model Cascada, a higher trim 'Premium', and the top 'Touring' trim. All trims come with mostly the same equipment. The Premium trim receives some upgrades and the Sport Touring primarily incorporates an appearance package.

We Recommend

The base model is quite good value and is the one we recommend. Sport Touring trim costs dangerously close to Audi A3 convertible which offers a much better engine.

Buick Cascada uses a tiny 1.6-Liter 4-Cylinder engine. It may not seem like much, but the engine breathes through a turbocharger. The max power output is 200 horsepower, not a lot, but enough for some fun antics. A 6-speed transmission comes standard, and there is a manual mode too if the need for speed ever hits you.

The power surge is best described as gentle and isn't as exciting as some other cars in this segment. Also, the Cascada is heavy, which means the motor has a lot of work, which reduces both performance and fuel-efficiency.

Ford Mustang, even in its EcoBoost avatar, is the most powerful car in this price range. It is also quite large, although rear seats are barely usable. BMW 2-series has the best balance of all; power, performance, comfort, sportiness, and space (not rear though). Sadly, the Beemer demands a lot of money, a lot more than the Cascada.

Acceleration

As stated earlier, the power delivery is best described as gentle. The Cascada is the slowest car in the segment, taking over 8 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. The quarter-mile is covered in a similarly lethargic 16 and a half seconds. This can primarily be accounted to the weight of the car, which makes the tiny engine work hard

Ride and Handling

The steering on the Cascada has quite a relaxed feel, which lends ease of driving within the city. It isn't good for the highway though, due to the lack of adequate feedback. The suspension is great and absorbs most of the bumps, but doesn't contain body roll under cornering. The handling of the car leaves a lot to be desired.

The visibility through isn't great, as the low roofline pushes the driver's perch downwards. That isn't a problem though, as you can simply stow the roof behind and crane your neck in tight spaces.

Braking

The 2019 Buick Cascada utilizes a disc brake setup on all four wheels, helped further by ABS. It is quite a heavy car; the heaviest among affordable convertible cars. The braking is affected by the bulk, which is why the Buick takes 124 feet to come to a halt from the 60 MPH mark. This figure isn't too bad in itself, although other cars in this segment pull even better figures.

The Buick Convertible loses out in terms of fuel efficiency as well, primarily due to the weight. It can haul around its bulk for 21 miles in the city, and 29 miles on the highway. Paired with a 14.3-gallon fuel tank, the Cascada offers an average range of 343 miles on a tankful.

The seats of the Cascada are extremely comfy, and designed to accommodate people of all sizes. On long drives, however, they can feel a little firm and can be unsuitable for long drives. Moreover, the driving experience isn't too exciting (or distracting), which means you would be noticing the discomfort a lot.

The ride is supple though, although Cascada could still be a bit on the harsh side on bad roads. Overall, the comfort is good for two adults and two children. Any more would be a stretch too far for the car.

Infotainment

The base model of the 2019 Cascada comes equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complete with the following standard features:

• Satellite Navigation
• Bluetooth
• wi-fi hotspot
• A rearview camera
• OnStar telematics (5-year basic plan)

Cargo volume

The Cascada has a fine amount of cargo space in the trunk, useful only when the roof is up. With the roof down, space reduces down from 13.4 to 10 cubic feet, at which point it's not good for anything but office supplies. It offers the maximum cargo space amongst the rivals. The trunk opening is pretty small too, making it difficult to load luggage into the car.

The weight of the 2019 Buick Cascada has already been discussed above, and it is on the heavier side. On the positive side, the Cascada has a fine ground clearance of 5.7 inches, enough to save the underbelly from scraping on the road surface. It is also very tall and quite long as well, which gives it a more commanding stance on the road.

It also has the highest track width and the longest wheelbase of 62.5 inches and 106.1 inches respectively, although it doesn't aid with the handling.

Design and style

The Buick is extremely classy, and although it is quite small for a Buick, it isn't quite small. Next to a few other 2-seater convertibles, the Cascada is a little bulky, but for good reasons. Due to its larger dimensions, it looks extremely well proportioned, especially with the roof up. The side profile resembles a hamster, the cutest one you've ever seen, and with darker colors, this car would age really well. Even the alloy wheels add a layer of class to the car.

For 2019, Buick's tiny convertible features a lot of, well, features. Chief among these are:

• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rollover Protection (high-strength steel pop-up roll bars)
• OnStar Automatic Crash Response
• OnStar Emergency Services
• OnStar Roadside Assistance

IIHS Rating is unavailable for the 2019 Buick Cascada for now.

Buick Cascada vs Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club

Compared to the Buick, the Mazda feels like a proper sports car; light, nimble, minimalistic. While both cars have really compact dimensions, the Miata is light, while the Buick is more luxurious. What you have here are two opposite ideologies presented in a similar package. Just pick the one that suits you better. Want a track car that can be used on the streets? Miata it is! Looking for a comfy commuter that can road trip as well? Go for the Cascada!

Buick Cascada vs Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible

If you aren't really looking for a compact car, then forget everything and get the EcoBoost Mustang. The power difference alone is massive enough to disprove all the arguments you can present in favor of, well, any other car in this price range. The problem? Sadly, if you're buying a Mustang without a V8 motor, some people might pinch their noses and look away in disgust. Just avoid those people and you'll be fine.

Buick Cascada vs BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

To be honest, the BMW 2-series is a little too expensive to be your choice if you're restricted by your budget. The Buick should be your choice then. If you, however, can afford the extra moolah, there are thousands of reasons why you should get the Beemer. Its German; reliability and superior build quality are default characteristics. You also get better bragging rights, which is great if you're going to drive around town with the roof down.

Buick Cascada isn't a car for someone who wants to tear up a racetrack youth, but rather a car for the gentleman who wants to speed through a valley. Just sit back and relax, and this car will take you places in absolute comfort. You could find a little more luxury in an Audi A3 or a BMW 2-series, but those are more expensive options.