Verano is the name of a commune in northern Italy, close to the German border. The 2012 Verano is Buick's newest model, one that its maker hopes will be compared to the BMW 3-Series, a popular German export.

The Verano's name is no accident. It conjures up images of European craftsmanship and performance. In Europe, it's branded as the Opel Astra. It has another sibling, too - in China, it's called the Buick Excelle GT.

They have different names, but all three share the same design cues.

The Verano debuts as the entry model to the renewed Buick lineup. We drove the base model, which starts at only $22,595.

What surprised me when I received the keys was the realization I was given the base model. Many manufacturers supply the top model because it has all the options. A base model is often only found on paper, since most people would not order a plain car.

That made the base Verano such a pleasant surprise. Here was a base model that looked and felt like the top-of-the-line model for most compact cars. Buick offers three higher trim models for the Verano.

Size-wise, the Verano is more compact than the Regal, but not by much. It's 160 millimetres shorter in overall length, but the difference in wheelbase is only 53 mm.

And the numbers don't tell the whole story. You have to park the Verano beside a similarly sized Japanese competitor to get the extra sense of substance with this Buick.

The overall width difference between the Verano and Regal is only 41 mm, so occupants with a larger girth may feel the Verano seats are a bit more formfitting than the Regal's. Front legroom is identical, but rear passengers suffer from the reduction of the wheelbase.

Physical dimensions aside, its hard to tell between the two in overall cabin appointments. Once the door closes, there is no question that you're in the cabin of a luxury car. In the General Motors hierarchy, a Buick is supposed to be less luxurious than a Cadillac. If that is still the case, the upcoming 2013 Cadillac ATS has its job cut out for it.

In my testing notes I had one word to sum up the Verano: cushy. It has front seats that feel almost more comfortable than the Regal's. On our base model, the seats were adjusted manually and had cloth rather than leather surfaces. Both features are available as options.

The cabin is a nice place to spend time behind the wheel. The dash is attractive in a classy way.

Even though my tester did not have a navigation system, it still had a generous-sized colour screen for the climate and audio controls. There is a smaller LED screen that gives more information between the speedometer and tachometer. Soft-touch materials and flowing forms in faux wood and aluminum are easy on the eyes. Chrome is still there but used sparingly - very European again. Nooks and crannies abound.

Buick went to great lengths to insulate the driver from the noisy world, with extra insulation, triple door seals, more highstrength steel, an isolated engine cradle and aero panels under the car. The coup de grâce is the use of laminated side glass - a first in its class. Most manufacturers employ one or two of these effective sound-reducing strategies.

Buick has gone the distance to incorporate all of them in its entry-level car.

This gives occupants of the Verano the silent treatment. Music need only be set at the minimum level, as there is no need for unnecessary sound to drown out engine and road noise.

But a totally quiet engine isn't what drivers of European cars look for. The 2.4-litre directinjection four-cylinder is the only powerplant available at launch. It delivers a modest 180 horses.

Drivers with a need for speed may put pedal to the metal to listen to the sweet sound of the free-revving powerplant that comes through all that insulation.

Drivers who need to get from one place to another quickly may wish to wait for a turbocharged 2.0-litre four packing 220 horses and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (same engine found in the Regal GS) rumoured to be available later in the year.

The six-speed automatic transmission is good, but enthusiasts will immediately notice it is missing both a sport mode and paddle shifters.

On the road, the Verano is a mixture of Germanic stiffness in the corners and good old American cushiness on the straight stretches. On back roads, the Verano doesn't have the same poise as the BMW, but manages to keep up at a respectful distance. Its suspension is calibrated to deliver suppleness - potholes and road imperfections are noticed, but are just notes in passing.

Our car was equipped with the optional 18-inch wheels and tires, with 235/45 R18 rubber, an upgrade over the stock 17-inch wheels. I can't say for sure, but I would suspect the larger wheels and tires would have a bearing on the improved ride of the Verano. At only $270 for the option, it's a steal.

Perhaps it's not fair to compare the Verano with a BMW. After all, this American car is almost half the price of a Bimmer. It values comfort over performance, not the other way round, as with its German competitor.

A better competitor would be the Regal, its bigger sibling, which offers similar luxury and performance. If so, choosing between the two would be like splitting hairs - the two are that similar. Only a few millimetres here and there separate the two.

Of the two, I bet I know the one librarians would choose.

THE SPEC SHEET

Type: Compact luxury four-door sedan, front engine, front-wheel-drive

Engine: Direct-injection, 2.4-litre four-cylinder, 180 hp at 6,700 r.p.m., 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 r.p.m.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,671 ; width, 1,815; height, 1,484 ; wheelbase, 2,685

Curb weight (kg): 1,497

Price (base/as tested): $22,595/$27,695 (includes $1,495 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)

Options: Sunroof $1,100, Bose stereo $385, premium package $380, 18-inch alloy wheels $270

Tires: 235/45 R18 on alloy wheels

Fuel Type: Regular

Fuel Economy (L/100km): 9.9 city/ 6.2 highway

Warranty: Four years/80,000 km new vehicle, five years/160,000 km powertrain, courtesy transportation and roadside assistance

parrais@timescolonits.com