The 2016 Buick Cascada gets 23 MPG combined, and many owners consider that an acceptable trade-off for open-air driving. The Cascada prioritizes a stylish and relatively affordable convertible experience over pure efficiency. Buyers value top-down fun more than maximizing fuel economy from each gallon of premium gas, and they understand the compromises of a small, turbocharged engine in a fairly heavy convertible. What they’re really buying is a lifestyle, not a hypermiling vehicle.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the 2016 Buick Cascada are 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The city MPG reflects the demands of stop-and-go driving, where the 1.6L turbocharged engine works harder because of the Cascada’s weight. The highway MPG is more appealing, suggesting reasonable efficiency for long drives with the top up. Remember that lowering the top at highway speeds creates significant drag, which will reduce your actual MPG. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but it can sometimes hunt for the right gear, especially on hills, impacting fuel consumption.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Buick Cascada at $1,900. This is based on 15,000 miles per year and the national average fuel price when the EPA performed the calculation. Given the Cascada’s need for premium fuel, that $1,900 can be a significant part of ownership costs. Individual fuel costs will vary depending on driving habits, local fuel prices, and annual miles driven. A driver who does mostly city driving will likely spend more than $1,900, while someone who uses the Cascada mainly for weekend highway trips might spend slightly less.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates offer a baseline, the real-world fuel economy for the 2016 Buick Cascada often differs slightly. Several owners report averaging closer to 21-24 MPG in mixed driving conditions. Rapid acceleration and frequent air conditioning use, especially with the top down, result in lower gas mileage. Conversely, careful driving with minimal hard acceleration can bring you closer to the EPA’s highway estimate, but achieving significantly better than 27 MPG consistently is unlikely. This is normal for a small turbocharged engine in a heavier car, but Cascada buyers accept this as a balance between style, performance, and fuel costs.

How it compares

The 2016 Buick Cascada’s fuel economy isn’t the best in its class, but it’s not the worst either. Compared to a 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet (28 MPG combined with the 1.8T engine and front-wheel drive), the Cascada gets lower gas mileage. Even the heavier BMW 428i Convertible from the same year achieves around 25 MPG combined. However, those models often cost more. A similarly priced but less sporty competitor like the Chrysler 200 Convertible (discontinued after 2014) achieves around 22 MPG combined, putting the Cascada in the same range. This comparison is important to the Cascada buyer because they might be considering style and open-air driving, while still being cost-conscious. For all Buick fuel economy data, check out Buick’s data here. You can also directly see CASCADA MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Maintain proper tire inflation. The Cascada’s recommended tire pressure affects rolling resistance. Check your tire pressure often and make sure it matches the manufacturer’s specifications, located on the door jamb. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy and affect handling and tire wear.

Anticipate traffic flow and avoid unnecessary acceleration. The 1.6L turbo engine responds to throttle input, but frequent bursts of acceleration use extra gas. Consistent driving improves MPG, especially in city driving. Try to anticipate the road and maintain a steady pace.

Minimize idling. Idling for long periods wastes fuel. If you’re stopped for over a minute, it’s usually better to turn off the engine. Modern starters are made to handle frequent starts and stops without excess wear.

Limit top-down driving at high speeds. While enjoying the open air is a key part of the Cascada experience, lowering the convertible top increases aerodynamic drag, especially at highway speeds. Keeping the top up for longer on the highway will save noticeable fuel. This effect is stronger in windy conditions.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control on relatively flat highways helps maintain a consistent speed and improves fuel efficiency. The Cascada’s cruise control works well, but be aware of hills and adjust your speed to avoid excessive downshifting, which reduces fuel savings.