2019 Buick Cascada

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Rating5.5

Ranked #2 in 

Compact Convertible
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$33,070 - $37,070
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Handsome and sleek looks

High curb weight

No Mechanical changes over the previous model

A long list of standard features

Cramped rear seats

Good NVH insulation

Low fuel economy

Dated interiors

Specs & Features

$33,070

price

200 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Buick has been America's answer to European luxury, alongside its compatriot, Lincoln (Lincoln is arguably more upmarket though). If you wish to own a home brand that offers luxury at a reasonable price, then you could put your faith in Buick. The Cascada is one of the best options in the segment, that offers great comfort, and reasonable sportiness in a compact and elegant form. Pull up to an event in this car, and people will mistake you for a celebrity.

For uncompromised luxury, you can opt for the Avenir trims of various Buick models. Sadly, Buick hasn’t been building marvels of engineering lately, but fans of the marque are still hoping for a stroke of brilliance. So, is the Cascada the one they’ve been waiting for. Let's find out.

Buying Advice

The base model is quite good value and is the one we recommend. Sport Touring trim costs dangerously close to Audi A3 convertible, which offers a much better engine.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Cascada locks horns against the likes of entry-level luxury convertibles; Audi A3 and BMW 2-series convertibles. The Cascada costs almost the same as a Miata RF convertible but in essence, is the exact opposite car. The Buick is comparatively a lot more luxurious than the Mazda convertible and larger as well (although interior space isn’t so good). Miata’s cousin, the Fiat 124 spider, is also a competitor. With such strong competitors in this price range, it will be interesting to see how the Buick holds up.

Features
7.0/10

With the 2019 Buick Cascada, you can choose from three different trims; a base model Cascada, a higher trim 'Premium', and the top 'Touring' trim

Trim

Cascada

Premium

Sport Touring

MSRP

$33,070

$36,070

$37,070

Key Features

Standard Features include:

Same features as Cascada with following additions/changes

Same features as ‘Premium’ with following additions/changes

 

Diamond Graphic Twin-Spoke Wheels

Dynamic Twin-Spoke Wheels

Dynamic Twin-Spoke Black Pocket Wheels

 

Leather-Appointed Seats

Three Color Options for the Soft-top

Alloy Sport Pedals

 

Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel

Forward Collision Alert

Flat-Bottom Sport Steering Wheel

 

Built-in Navigation

Front and Rear Park Assist

Unique Interior Trim Accents

We Recommend

The base model is quite good value and is the one we recommend. Sport Touring trim costs dangerously close to Audi A3 convertible, which offers a much better engine.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

The Buick Convertible loses out in terms of fuel efficiency as well, primarily due to the weight. It can haul around its bulk for 21 miles in the city, and 29 miles on the highway. Paired with a 14.3-gallon fuel tank, the Cascada offers an average range of 343 miles on a full tank. 

Model

Buick Cascada convertible

Fiat 124 Spider

Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Mini Cooper convertible

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club convertible

Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible

BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

MPG (city)

21

26

20

20

23

26

25

24

MPG (highway)

29

35

28

30

32

34

33

34

MPG (combined)

24

30

23

23

26

29

28

27

Range (city/highway)

300 / 415

309 / 417

N/A

N/A

267 / 371

309 / 405

N/A

N/A

Tank Capacity (gal)

14.3

11.9

N/A

N/A

11.6

11.9

13.2

N/A

Interior
4.0/10

The interior of the 2019 Buick Cascada feels past its prime, though it is quiet with the top up. Some find the materials low-rent by luxury car standards and not as well-built as some rivals.  -Cars.usnew

Seating and Comfort

The seats of the Cascada are extremely comfy, and designed to accommodate people of all sizes. On long drives, however, they can feel a little firm and can unsuitable for long drives. Moreover, the driving experience isn’t too exciting (or distracting), which means you would be noticing the discomfort a lot. The ride is supple though, although Cascada could still be a bit on the harsh side on bad roads. Overall, the comfort is good for two adults and two children. Any more would be a stretch too far for the car.

Model

Buick Cascada convertible

Fiat 124 Spider Classica

Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Mini Cooper convertible

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club convertible

Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible

BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

Passenger capacity

4

2

4

4

4

2

4

4

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

37.8/54.6/42.2

37.4/52.1/43.1

37.6/56.3/45.1

38.5/55/43.9

39.8/51.0/41.4

36.8/52.2/43.1

37.4/54.8/41.2

40.5/54.4/41.5

Second

(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

36.1/45.8/32.8

-

35.7/44.7/29.2

33.4/TBD/29.9

39.0/39.7/30.9

-

36.3/45.7/31.9

31.8/42.2/31.8

Infotainment

The base model of the 2019 Cascada comes equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complete with the following standard features:

  • Sattelite Navigation
  • Bluetooth
  • wi-fi hotspot
  • A rearview camera
  • OnStar telematics (5-year basic plan)

Cargo volume

The Cascada has a fine amount of cargo space in the trunk, useful only when the roof is up. With the roof down, space reduces down from 13.4 to 10 cubic feet, at which point its not good for anything but office supplies. It offers the maximum cargo space amongst the rivals. The trunk opening is pretty small too, making it difficult to load luggage into the car.

Model

Buick Cascada convertible

Fiat 124 Spider Classica

Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Mini Cooper convertible

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club convertible

Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible

BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

Cargo Volume (ft.3)

13.4

4.9

13.5

7.3

7.6

4.5

9.9

11.8

Exterior
5.0/10

No changes were made as Buick shuffled the Cascada ahead into the 2019 model year.

That’s good news for the looks, which we’ve admired since the Cascada was new three years ago. -The Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

The weight of the 2019 Buick Cascada has already been discussed above, and it is on the heavier side. On the positive side, the Cascada has a fine ground clearance of 5.7 inches, enough to save the underbelly from scraping on the road surface. It is also very tall and quite long as well, which gives it a more commanding stance on the road.

It also has the highest track width and the longest wheelbase of 62.5 inches and 106.1 inches respectively, although it doesn't aid with the handling.

Model

Buick Cascada convertible

Fiat 124 Spider Classica

Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Mini Cooper convertible

Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club convertible

Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible

BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

Curb weight (lbs.)

3979

2436

3706

3627

2985

2453

3428

3680

Length(in)

184.9

159.6

188.5

188.3

151.9

154.1

174.1

174.7

Width(in)

72.4

68.5

75.4

74.7

68.0

68.3

N/A

69.8

Height(in)

56.8

48.5

54.9

52.9

55.7

49.0

55.5

55.6

Ground clearance (in)

N/A

5.7

NA

TBD

4.5

5.3

N/A

5.5

Wheelbase (in)

106.1

90.9

107.1

110.7

98.2

90.9

102.2

105.9

Track width (in) F/R

62.5/62.5

58.9/59.1

62.3/64.9

62.5/63.7

58.5/58.5

58.9/59.2

61.2/60.1

59.9/61.3

The Buick is extremely classy, and although it is quite small for a Buick, it isn’t quite small. Next to a few other 2-seater convertibles, the Cascada is a little bulky, but for good reasons. Due to its larger dimensions, it looks extremely well proportioned, especially with the roof up. The side profile resembles a hamster, the cutest one you’ve ever seen, and with darker colors, this car would age really well. Even the alloys wheels add a layer of class to the car.

Safety
5.0/10

For 2019, Buick’s tiny convertible features a lot of, well, features. Chief among these are:

  • Forward Collision Alert
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Rollover Protection (high-strength steel pop-up roll bars)
  • OnStar Automatic Crash Response
  • OnStar Emergency Services
  • OnStar Roadside Assistance

IIHS Rating is unavailable for the 2019 Buick Cascada for now.

Competition
6.0/10

Buick Cascada vs Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club

Compared to the Buick, the Mazda feels like a proper sports car; light, nimble, minimalistic. While both cars have really compact dimensions, the Miata is light, while the Buick is more luxurious. What you have here are two opposite ideologies presented in a similar package. Just pick the one that suits you better. Want a track car that can be used on the streets? Miata it is! Looking for a comfy commuter that can road trip as well? Go for the Cascada!

Buick Cascada vs Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible

If you aren’t really looking for a compact car, then forget everything and get the EcoBoost Mustang. The power difference alone is massive enough to disprove all the arguments you can present in favor of, well, any other car in this price range. The problem? Sadly, if you’re buying a Mustang without a V8 motor, some people might pinch their noses and look away in disgust. Just avoid those people and you’ll be fine.

Buick Cascada vs BMW 2 Series 230i Convertible

To be honest, the BMW 2-series is a little too expensive to be your choice if you’re restricted by your budget. The Buick should be your choice then. If you, however, can afford the extra moolah, there are thousands of reasons why you should get the Beemer. Its German; reliability and superior build quality are default characteristics. You also get better bragging rights, which is great if you’re going to drive around town with the roof down.

Final Verdict

Buick Cascada isn’t a car for someone who wants to tear up a racetrack, but rather a car for the gentleman who wants to speed through a valley. Just sit back and relax, and this car will take you places in absolute comfort. You could find a little more luxury in an Audi A3 or a BMW 2-series, but those are more expensive options.

Trims

    Base
    $33,070 onwards
    • Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Napa leather upholstery
    • Nine-speaker Bose audio
    • Performance data recorder standard
    • Ten-speaker upgraded Bose audio
    Premium
    $36,070 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg
    Sport Touring
    $37,070 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$33,070- $37,070

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

5.48

Horsepower

200 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Source
    8.3 sec16.2 sec

    2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      Source
      21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg14.3 gal.300.3/414.7 mi.

      2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        Source
        184.9 in.72.4 in.56.8 in.6 in.106.1 in.

        2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          Source
          13.4 cu.ft.82 cu.ft.13.4 cu.ft.

          2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Source
            73 cu.ft.13.4 cu.ft.13.4 cu.ft.

            2019 Buick Cascada vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Weight
              Source
              3979 lbs.

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