Buick Verano updated with some new tech for 2015

OnStar 4G LTE hotspot is in, manual transmissions are out

 Buick 

Buick made only minute changes for the 2015 model year. 

The Buick Verano is entering its fourth year of production. For the 2015 model year, the company has made a few alterations to the first small Buick in recent memory to genuinely surprise and impress the automotive press, ourselves included, at the time of its debut. Sharing a platform and general body architecture with the Opel Astra sedan and Chinese-market Excelle GT, the Verano made a splash by offering thrifty yet compelling engines, excellent road manners and plenty of standard equipment. The Verano has been a modest hit sales-wise, and the car scored a decisive win for GM and its ability to introduce a global car under a U.S. domestic market badge -- an exercise that historically has been hit-or-miss.

For 2015, the Verano retains the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 180 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque, in addition to an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoTec making 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. New for 2015 is an appearance package that includes desert dusk metallic paint, a trunk-lid spoiler and a chrome grille. This package is standard with the convenience and leather trims.

Buyers of the 2015 Verano can take advantage of OnStar 4G LTE and a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which is engaged whenever the car is on. The Wi-Fi hotspot comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.

Also new for 2015 is a new exterior color, dark sapphire blue metallic, in addition to an appearance package including a rear spoiler and a silver/bright chrome grille. This appearance package will be available on all versions of the Verano except for the turbo.

 Buick 

The six-speed manual has been dropped as option for the 2015 model year. 

Quietly departing for the 2015 model year is the six-speed manual transmission, which has been liked well enough to make headlines for some time. It's one thing for automotive journalists to go nuts for this almost Euro-spec allowance, but keeping manual transmission Buicks moving at the dealership lots is something else. Maybe 20 years from now, people will fight over manual-transmission Veranos on eBay, but the six-speed automatics will be the sole transmission option from now on.

Pricing for the 2015 has not been announced yet, but we don't expect it to stray far from the $24,625 starting price of the 2014 model.