2012 Buick Verano Priced at $23,470

The model gets a 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission and 10 airbags standard, too.

The top-of-the-line version, which starts at $26,850, includes a heated steering wheel and genuine leather. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine will be available later.

This Buick midluxury compact sedan has few competitors. The similarly sized Volvo S40 ($27,750) and Audi A3 ($27,270) cost about $4,000 more. A well-equipped 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn — which has similar gas mileage and content to the base Verano — starts at $25,545. A similarly equipped Chevrolet Cruze LTZ sedan, which is the Verano’s sibling vehicle, comes in at $23,420.

Buick hasn’t detailed all the package levels yet — we know there are 1SG and 1SL packages — but we know there will be three packages in all. Starting with the 2012 model year, Buicks no longer have trim designators.

The Verano goes on sale later this year.