Buick returns to the compact luxury sedan market for the first time since 1998 (when the last Skylark was produced) with the debut of its 2012 Verano. First seen at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 4-door, 5-passenger Verano began rolling off the production line at General Motors’ Orion Assembly plant in Michigan in November 2011.

The 2012 Buick Verano is available in three trims: Base, Convenience and Leather, all of which come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. All three trims have an EcoTec 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder DOHC engine that achieves 180 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel-drive Verano is estimated to get 22 mpg city/31 highway from its 15.6-gallon gas tank, which can be filled with either regular gasoline or E85 (mileage drops to 15/23 with E85).

Standard equipment for all 2012 Buick Verano trims includes a 7-inch LED touchscreen AM/FM/Sirius XM stereo with CD player, MP3/WAV playback system, iPod support, USB port and SD card reader with Buick's IntelliLink smartphone-connectivity system and a 6-speaker sound system, air conditioning, cruise control, power steering, power windows, power locks, a rear-window defogger, halogen headlamps, fog lamps, daytime running lights, adjustable head restraints, an 8-way manual front seat adjuster, theft deterrent system, ribbon fabric seats with leatherette accents, remote start, a tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 18-inch multi-spoke forged alloy machine-faced wheels.

Upgrading to the Convenience trim adds standard equipment such as Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a self-dimming inside rear-view mirror, heated outside rear-view mirrors, rear parking assist and a 6-way power driver’s seat with manual recline. Those opting for the Leather also get a Bose 9-speaker sound system with 7-channel digital amplification, custom equalization and subwoofers (which is an available option for the Convenience trim), heated leather-appointed seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and Buick’s E-Z Key passive entry with push-button start. An engine block heater, along with a dealer-installed rear spoiler, chrome grille and cargo net are available as options on all trims, and optional equipment for the Convenience and Leather trims includes a power sunroof and an audio system with navigation.

The 2012 Buick Verano has undergone Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning Technology, which the automaker states attacks external noises at three different points with aerodynamic parts, acoustical laminated glass and noise-absorbing padding to create an extremely quiet interior. Warranty-wise, the Verano is protected by GM’s standard protection plans, which include a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, 5-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain/drivetrain warranty and a 6-year/100,000-mile rust warranty.

Safety is well addressed by the 2012 Buick Verano. All trims come with 10 standard airbags (including front- and side-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-rail-mounted head curtain airbags, driver and passenger front-mounted knee airbags, and outboard passenger rear side-mounted airbags), a passenger sensing system, tire pressure monitoring system, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, traction control, 4-wheel antilock brakes, collapsible pedal system (which can reduce or eliminate lower-extremity injuries during a crash), a 6-month subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections plan and GM’s Roadside Assistance Program (good for 5 years or 100,00 miles).

The Verano's competition in the compact luxury sedan segment is thin at the moment, as only the Audi A3 and Volvo C30 fit the same mold as the Buick Verano, but at a slightly higher price. With attention to the small details, such as sound dampening and upscale interior accents, the Verano seems well-equipped to make a statement against the competition.