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Buick turns heads with its Cascada convertible

Packing a potent turbocharged engine, handsome looks and ride quality befitting a comfortable weekend drop-top cruiser, the Cascada is a surprise.

Jon Wong
Jon Wong was a reviews editor for CNET Cars. He test drove and wrote about new cars and oversaw coverage of automotive accessories and garage gear. In his spare time, he enjoys track days, caring for his fleet of old Japanese cars and searching for the next one to add to his garage.
Jon Wong
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The 2016 Buick Cascada is the brand's first convertible in the US in 25 years.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada begins hitting dealers shortly with a base price of $33,990.

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Compared to its Opel counterpart, the Buick Cascada receives different front and rear fascias.

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Buick hopes the 2016 Cascada will draw in new, younger customers to its showrooms.

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The 2016 Cascada is one of the seven new products Buick plans to have out by 2018.

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A swept-back windshield gives the 2016 Buick Cascada a sportier look.

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Ordering the 2016 Cascada is relatively simple with six exterior colors, two interior colors and two different trim levels.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada's power convertible soft top operates at speeds up to 31 mph.

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Buick designers say the subtle character lines throughout the 2016 Cascada's sheetmetal give it a sculpted look.

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Powering the 2016 Buick Cascada is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

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Two 20-inch wheel designs are available on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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High-intensity discharge headlights are standard on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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LED taillights are standard on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada's $33,990 base price undercuts smaller convertibles on the market, including the Audi A3 Cabriolet and BMW 2 Series Convertible.

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In terms of size, the 2016 Buick Cascada stacks up favorably with the Lexis IS Convertible and Audi A5 Cabriolet.

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The sole transmission available in the 2016 Buick Cascada is a conventional six-speed automatic.

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With the top down, the 2016 Buick Cascada drew plenty of attention on the road and sitting still on a beach during a photoshoot.

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Beachgoers we spoke with were shocked to find out that the Cascada is a Buick.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada's face is more approachable than it is aggressive.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada sits on a 106.1-inch wheelbase.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada features a Watts Z-link rear suspension setup.

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Up front, the 2016 Cascada features Buick's sophisticated HiPer strut front suspension system.

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The power soft top on the 2016 Buick Cascada goes up and down in just 17 seconds.

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The power top on the 2016 Buick Cascada works at speeds of up to 31 mph.

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With the top up, the 2016 Buick Cascada offers 13.4 cubic feet of trunk space.

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Even with the roof up, the 2016 Buick Cascada features a nice silloutte.

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Like most soft-top convertibles, there's a large blind spot with the roof up.

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Unfortunately, a blind-spot monitoring system isn't available on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada's top features generous amounts of thermal and acoustic insulation.

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High-intensity discharge lights come standard on all 2016 Buick Cascadas.

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Fog lights come standard on the 2016 Buick Cascada, too.

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All 2016 Buick Cascadas come standard with 20-inch wheels. This is one of two available designs.

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The side mirrors on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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Here's a closer look at the LED taillights, which are bisected by a piece of brightwork.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada features an exclusive rear fascia design compared to its Opel counterpart.

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To pop the trunk, simply press the large Buick emblem on the back of the 2016 Cascada.

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The 2016 Buick Cascada packs 200 horsepower from its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

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The turbo engine in the 2016 Buick Cascada is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway by the EPA.

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The dash layout of the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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Navigation comes standard on all 2016 Buick Cascadas.

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Materials throughout the interior are of good quality in the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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The center stack on the 2016 Buick Cascada looks dated with a large number of buttons.

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Heated front seats and steering wheel are standard on the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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The front seats in the 2016 Buick Cascada were designed with wider Americans in mind.

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The front seats in the 2016 Buick Cascada are comfortable, with just the right amount of side and lower back support.

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The backseats in the 2016 Buick Cascada can hold adults for short trips.

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A power arm helps front passengers easily put their seatbelts on in the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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Steering wheel audio controls are found on all 2016 Buick Cascada models.

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The Cascada's cruise control switchgear is simple and easy to use.

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The electronic parking brake and top controls are found on the center console of the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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The main gauge cluster of the 2016 Buick Cascada is simple and easy to read.

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Collision alert is adjustable in the 2016 Buick Cascada, but this center information screen's graphics look dated.

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Navigation comes standard on the 2016 Buick Cascada, but you won't find Google StreetView or Maps here.

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Various infotainment functions available in the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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A power outlet, USB port and auxiliary jack found can be found in all Cascada models.

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Light controls on the 2016 Buick Cascada are simple and familiar.

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Accent stitching on the dash of the 2016 Buick Cascada is a nice premium touch.

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The removable wind screen that helps keep wind buffeting down in the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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Another smaller, secondary wind screen also works to help control wind buffeting in the 2016 Buick Cascada.

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