2018 Buick Cascada Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Buick Cascada is something of a unicorn, mostly because there isn’t really anything else like it on the market. Most convertibles in this price range are decidedly more sporty, driver-focused cars. The few new convertibles geared more toward cruising and comfort, meanwhile, cost way more than the Cascada. Essentially a rebadged Opel from the European market, it’s a bit like the old Chrysler Sebring in that it’s a rather routine car made a lot more interesting by virtue of the fact that the top goes down. While the Opel version has been around for a few years now on the other side of the Atlantic, the Cascada only just went on sale in 2016, so for 2018 the changes are limited to the addition of a few new colors.
While it is a drop top, the Cascada looks more airy than sporty, and the engine reflect this. It has a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder that actually does make an impressive 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available for this front-wheel drive (FWD) is a 6-speed automatic. Performance is therefore geared more toward open air cruising than sport driving. Suspension is also not particularly sporty, and the Cascada reportedly leans quite a bit in the corners. A Sport Touring model includes different wheels for better grip, but doesn’t add any true performance credentials to the mix. Its fuel economy is moderate: the EPA has rated it at 21 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined.
With even the top-spec 2018 Cascada starting at well under $40,000, this car doesn’t make pretenses at being luxurious, but it is fairly well appointed. Standard features include perforated leather upholstery, 10-way power heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and rear parking sensors. The second-tier Premier model adds a navigation system, automatic headlights and a few active safety features, while the top-spec Sport Touring trim that was added for 2017 includes a flat-bottom steering wheel. The Cascada also includes OnStar with a 4G LTE WiFi antenna and hotspot capability.
The Cascada’s infotainment system is centered on a 7.0-inch infotainment screen in the dash. It’s lifted pretty much directly from the Opel version, so it’s a few years older than one would ordinarily think on such a new model and has been criticized for being somewhat outdated. As for space, the two rear seats are tight but still roomier than some of the seats in other 2+2s that amount to little more than a parcel shelf. The cloth soft top folds away in less than 20 seconds at up to 30 mph and stows in the trunk, where it the cargo space from 13.4 cubic feet down to 10. Despite being a convertible, the Cascada has proven to be remarkably safe during testing: in federal crash testing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Cascada has gotten five out of five stars overall. It is not available with automatic emergency braking, but lane departure warning and forward collision warning are optional extras.
The Cascada is a singular choice of automobile that appeals to a limited audience. On the styling front, it looks a bit like a stubby commuter hatchback with the roof cut off, and while it doesn’t claim to compete with more expensive offerings from the Germans, it’s well appointed on the inside. On the performance front it is isn’t anything more than adequate, though it doesn’t try to be sporty, either. And even though there aren’t a ton of convertibles on the market today, the Fiat 124 Spider and Mazda Miata are both well-equipped and reasonably comfortable two-seat cars that are not only more fun to drive, but are also significantly cheaper. For those who need four seats, the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper are both fun little cars that can both be had as a drop top as well. So while the Cascada doesn’t really have any direct competition, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see some compelling alternatives.
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2018 Buick Cascada Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: IntelliLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: wiper activated · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 50-50 split bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · Stitcher internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: 800 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: IntelliLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 50-50 split bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: alloy · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: 800 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: IntelliLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 50-50 split bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: with wind blocker
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse