2018 Buick Cascada

Buick’s line of two- and three-row SUVs are worth considering for shoppers looking for a nicer interior than in a Chevrolet or Ford without the luxury prices of a Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, or Acura. Options within Buick’s lineup start with the Envista, which is unusually sized between a large sedan and a subcompact SUV. The largest options include the three-row Enclave. Some of Buick’s models have earned Consumer Reports recommendations for having intuitive infotainment systems and quiet, pleasant interiors. Among U.S. car companies, Buick also ranks high in our new car reliability ratings. Some recent models also made our lists of recommended used cars.

The front-wheel-drive Cascada is a four-seat soft-top convertible. It's a well thought out convertible with a fully-insulated top and responsive handling. The ride is steady but can be a bit stiff due to the standard 20 inch tires. The leather seats are supportive but it's a long reach to access the touchscreen infotainment system, and the center dash is a mess of buttons. The power-operated fabric roof takes 17 seconds to open, and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 mph. Rear-seat access is made easier by front seats that power-slide forward. A partition in the trunk can be flipped to increase cargo room when the top is raised.