The four largest convertible markets in the U.S. are California, Texas, New Jersey, and New York. Admittedly, Texas is a surprise. The only thing more surprising was that Buick was developing a convertible.
Volume sales must not have been a priority. Yet, the Cascada is a fairly good convertible. There is little roll in the turn and the power steering is strong and firm. Stiffer rockers and an increased wheel base make for a strong command in driving. Underbody bracing adds stability and lends to easier and better drive control.
The new Cascada has an insulated soft top system, which lowers in 17 seconds and raises in 19 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Yes, Cascada has more standard equipment and a lower MSRP than Audi A3 Cabriolet. Cascada has a chuck wagon pantry filled with technology and safety features.
These include Buick IntelliLink with a 7-inch color touchscreen featuring text message alerts, Siri Eyes-free for Apple phones, OnStar (which proved to be an invaluable help in finding an emergency dentist’s office out of town) and 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot. Also included are remote vehicle starter and dual-zone air controls.
The Cascada comes in two trims: Premium ($36,065) and the base model ($33,990), which have very much in common. My Premium Cascada was wrapped in Deep Sky Metallic paint, which complements a light neutral Jet Black accent interior. All these rest on 20-inch aluminum wheels.
