General Motors has granted us with pricing for its new entry-level Buick model, the 2012 Verano compact sedan, before it goes on sale in the United States later this year.

Pricing for the base Verano starts at $23,470 and tops out at $26,850 including $885 in destination charges, with all three available trim levels powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 180HP at 6,700 rpm with 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm.

In an attempt to place the Opel Astra-based Verano in a higher class than its sister Chevrolet model, the Cruze that is priced from a significantly lower entry-point at $17,470, GM states in the press release that the Buick “offers more passenger and cargo volume than the Acura TSX sedan or Lexus IS 250” and that it is available with a “heated steering wheel – an option not found vehicles like the Lexus IS250 or Infiniti G25”.

Standard features across the range include leatherette seating, a 7-inch diagonal LED backlit color-touch radio display with IntelliLink technology, 10 air bags, automatic climate control, remote start, power windows and steering wheel radio controls.

Moving up to the top level model adds a number of standard features such as leather upholstery, seat heaters that automatically activate in temperatures below 45 F (7 C) when using the remote start function, and push-button engine start.

PHOTO GALLERY