First Buick ragtop since the ’91 Reatta

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible 2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Photo: Buick/Vanderkaay Photo: Buick/Vanderkaay Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close First Buick ragtop since the ’91 Reatta 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

It has been 25 years since Buick offered a convertible model in their lineup. The Buick Reatta convertible was the last, and appeared for only two years (1990 and 1991). Now there’s a new convertible making its debut on our shores — the globally developed 2016 Buick Cascada, which marks the return of top-down luxury for the Buick nameplate.

The two-door Cascada comes in a 2+2 seating configuration accommodating four adults as a FWD vehicle, and it’s powered by a 1.6-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with direct injection and variable valve timing, that makes 200 horsepower (more than 100 horsepower per liter), while also developing 206 pound-feet of torque, with an overboost feature that briefly pushes torque to an estimated 221 lb-ft. The engine mates to a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy ratings are: 20-mpg city and 27-mpg highway.

The insulated soft-top system opens in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. When lowered, the top folds neatly and completely beneath a hard tonneau cover behind the rear seats, and there are rollover protection bars that deploy behind the rear seats when a possible rollover is detected. The rear deck lid opens rearward to accommodate the folding softtop.

The Cascada was designed as a convertible from the outset and displays a smooth flowing sculpted profile with sharply raked A-pillars and sweeping upper and lower body-side character lines, along with aerodynamic headlamps that blend gracefully into the front fenders. LED daytime running lights deliver Buick’s distinctive wing-shape signature look, and aft is a chrome trim strip with s central Buick logo that bridges between the LED illuminated wing-shaped taillights.

There are two trim levels: 1SV and Premium 1SP. Currently , there are only six exterior colors and two interior color schemes available.

The Cascada’s interior design ambience matches the sleek exterior styling elements. The instrument panel is wrapped with soft-touch material featuring authentic stitching, while heated front seats and steering wheel provide cold weather comfort. An electronic rear-seat entry system automatically powers the front seats forward by simply pressing the seatback forward.

Connectivity includes Buick IntelliLink with a 7-inch-diagonal color touch screen featuring text message alerts, Siri Eyes Free for Apple phones with an IOS 6 or newer operating system, Navigation radio and seven speaker premium audio system and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.

SUMMARY: The 2016 Buick Cascada convertible is a far cry above the Buick Reatta convertible that went away 25 years ago. It is a delight to drive with the wind in your hair and in your face. The power delivery is smooth and linear with no noticeable turbo lag, and the ride quality is firm enough to ensure a desirable level of stability across the broad torque range.

The euro flavored Cascada is easy on the eyes, projecting a sleek, powerful and aerodynamic form from virtually every viewing angle. The Cascada’s profile displays a forward sloped wedge.

In the final analysis, the 2016 Buick Cascada drop top fills a long vacant gap in Buick’s vehicle portfolio that should appeal to a new and more youthful audience, and it is genuinely affordable, especially given its feature content — it certainly is no longer a ride for only the elderly — a stigma that Buick was cursed with for many years.

© Auto Impressions

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible 1SP

Base price: $33,950

Price as tested: $34,875

Engine/transmission: 1.6-liter, 200 horsepower turbocharged; six-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 106.1 inches

Length: 184.9 inches

Width: 72.4 inches

Height: 56.8 inches

Curb weight: 3,979 pounds

Fuel capacity: 14.3 gallons

Fuel consumption: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway