Are you still lamenting the passing of the convertible Chrysler 200, the affordable, sun-soaked cruiser and possibly the unofficial rental car of Florida? If so, put down the tissues and visit your local Buick showroom. There you'll find the 2019 Buick Cascada, a two-door soft-top that adheres to the 200-esque philosophy of being a relaxed Sunday beachgoer that won't break the bank.
What's New for 2019
The Cascada remains largely unchanged for 2019, though prices are now cheaper across the board.
Choosing Your Buick Cascada
All versions of the 2019 Buick Cascada are powered by the same 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four making 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Moving this power to the front wheels is a six-speed automatic transmission. Together, this combo nets the Cascada an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 21 miles per gallon city and 29 mpg highway. While 21 mpg around town seems dismal for such a small engine, remember that this Buick is a porky thing whose curb weight is a few donuts shy of two tons. When you're asking 1.6 liters to move 4,000 pounds with any authority, expect to be milking that turbo for all it's worth – a move which inevitably drags down gas mileage.
A better number to think about is 17 seconds, which is the time it takes for the power-operated soft-top to open or close. It's a feat that can be performed on the fly at up to 31 miles per hour, a boon in those instances where a storm suddenly interrupts your afternoon cruise. The cloth top is offered in three colors: black, dark red, and mocha.
Back in the day, it was the trademark Dynaride suspension tuning that made a Buick a Buick. Today, that old floaty suspension setup is long gone; in its stead is QuietTuning. While it might not roll off the tongue with the marketing dazzle of Dynaride, there's no doubt that QuietTuning will be appreciated by modern crop of Tri-Shield buyers. It includes exclusive sound-deadening treatments such as an acoustic-laminated windshield as well as special engine and suspension tuning to quell any potential noise, vibration, and harshness.
Like prior years, the Cascada comes in three distinct trim levels.
If white or blue are your colors of choice, we'd recommend sticking with the base 2019 Buick Cascada. For the price, it's very well equipped, and the comprehensive list of standard features means that buyers will be wanting for very little. If that limited color palate is too constraining, though, the Premium's expanded list and extra helping of safety features make it a good choice as well.