2016 Buick Cascada a fun ride designed to catch the breeze
Stepping up to the Premium trim at $36,065 adds a suite of safety and convenience features that include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, front and rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers and automatic on/off headlamp control with tunnel detection.
The compact convertible is powered by a 1.6-liter direct injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; the combination produces 200 horsepower and 206 lb.-ft. of torque.
An added touch of luxury: electric safety belt presenters use telescopic arms to slide the upper front safety belt assemblies from behind the front seat into closer reach of front-seat passengers for easier buckling.
The power-folding cloth roof has multiple layers of thermal fabric to provide ample insulation against both weather and road noise; it goes up or down at the push of a button in 17 seconds and can be operated with the car in motion at speeds up to 31 mph.
Built as a convertible from the ground up on GM's Delta platform, it boasts a rigid body structure thanks to high-strength steel, reinforced side sills, and pressed hardened steel in the A-pillars.
Buick is especially proud of the Cascada's HiPer Strut independent suspension, shared with the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano, which features specifically-tuned coil springs, a direct-acting hollow stabilizer bar, and hydraulic ride bushings to limit torque steer, isolate road inputs, and provide superior handling.