Forget whatever comes up in your brain when you think Buick Regal. I just drove the 2011 Buick Regal and this is not some AARP special. The new Regal is essentially a twin of the Opel Insignia, a German sport sedan that snagged the 2009 European Car of the Year award, no small honor from a part of the world that takes driving seriously. For those not up on their automotive genealogy, Opel is a European GM division.
Rest assured, the new Regal was not "watered down" for the U.S. market. In fact the suspension tuning carries over essentially intact. I drove both the mainstream CXL (now available) and the turbo (due out later in the model year) and either way, it is undeniably a sport sedan. The message is clear even before you fire it up -- even the CXL sits on 18-inch wheels and its firmly cushioned seats sport prominent side bolsters.
I'll have more details in the upcoming road test, but I came away from the half-day drive event held around the environs of San Diego with some solid impressions:
It handles...really well. Turn-in was crisp and there was no wallowing when I pressed it through some rapid "S" curves. And that's the CXL; the Turbo was notably hunkered down as it features driver-selectable settings for suspension damping, steering assist and throttle calibration. Yes, I noticed the difference between the standard setting and Sport.
The powertrain is refined, even with the base 2.4-liter four cylinder. Take either engine to redline and there's no discordant vibration or noise. Actually, they both sounded pretty good when I leaned on them, with a throaty growl that didn't grow course as the revs rose.
Performance was respectable with the base direct-injected four (182 hp/172 lb-ft of torque) -- good punch around town and decent pull up freeway ramps. I would've liked more thrust while overtaking a semi on a two-lane highway, but in fairness that was while ascending a long grade. The turbo had plenty of muscle as it was tuned for a broad power spread rather than a higher peak output. A V6 option shouldn't be missed.
Overall build quality was impressive, even on the pre-production turbo units. Nice materials, even panel gaps, no squeaks or rattles.
By estreka
on May 27, 2010
06:43 PM
If it's fun to drive, why does it have a Buick badge on it? GM should market this car as a Chevy. I'm glad it's in the stable, though.
By ne1butu2
on May 27, 2010
08:02 PM
Estreka,
It's a Buick because GM can charge more for it than a Chevy. When Buick is been successful, it's been with upscale sportier cars. It's the half-baked garbage that tarnished the brand.
By lmbvette
on May 28, 2010
05:37 AM
They had 50 of these at EPCOT 3 weeks ago at the GM test track ride in Orlando. I talked to the rep about the car and he was surprised I knew what it was.
What is the HP rating of the turbo? The rep told me that it was a 2.0L making 220 hp. That didn't sound right to me as the turbo 2L made 260 HP in the Solstice/Sky/HHR versions.
Is this a different itineration of this engine?
By johnnyturbo
on May 28, 2010
11:24 AM
@ lmbvette,
Yes, the turbo is rated at 220 hp. I was also surprised it didn't make more -- usually forced induction is good for a 30 to 50 percent boost in output.
But as I stated above, they tuned it more for a broad power delivery rather than a higher peak output. That makes sense given the Regal's heft (it weighs 3,600 pounds). In any event, the turbo's performance was solid as acceleration was swift and the engine never felt like it was laboring.
By 1487
on May 28, 2010
11:46 AM
The 260hp version of this engine was never combined with an automatic. The HHR SS with an auto only made 220hp just like this engine. In the 9-3 this turbo only made 210hp.
This car is a Buick because that's what its sold as in China. In addition, chevy already has a Malibu so it makes no sense to sell this car as a Chevy. The epsilon 2 Malibu comes out next year.
By greenpony
on May 28, 2010
11:55 AM
Add Buick to my consideration list.
By kingkhalas
on May 28, 2010
01:17 PM
It's not attractive and it's a Buick.
Tough to overcome.
By ed124c
on May 28, 2010
04:10 PM
The people who say a certain car is not attractive should let us know what they consider attractive.
I have a feeling that kinghalas has a problem with Buicks in general.
Most posters on Edmunds (including myself) think the Regal is very stylish. But everyone is entitled to their opinions.
My only gripe is that apparently the Regal will not have a stickshift with the turbo. I guess that's OK, because I can't afford the car anyway.
By 1487
on May 30, 2010
10:04 AM
the manual will ONLY be available with the turbo in Q4 this year.
I think most people who arent blind find this to be an attractive car. More cohesive design than Maxima or TSX in my book.
By fuhteng
on June 2, 2010
02:02 PM
I like it. It is very rounded and it has small windows, but I still think it is handsome. The GS version has those goofy huge intakes up front, but I could forgive that for the 255 hp + AWD combo.