WASHINGTON — Yeah, I know; the headline seems strange: A sporty … Buick?!
Yet I assure you, the Regal GS is just that: A luxurious, midsize sedan with a powerful turbo four-cylinder engine. It feels more European than any other Buick and does many things correctly. Consumer Reports rated the Buick Regal a top-10 pick; it also rates very high in the latest JD Power Survey.
Priced at $44,520 for the fully-loaded model, this top-of-the-line Buick Regal sounds expensive, but it’s reasonable when compared with the German competition. The sporty GS looks more aggressive, with larger 20-inch wheels and adjustable suspension that lets you choose your driving experience just by pressing a button.
Even with the trick suspension and big wheels, you get a nice, refined ride. It’s a solid commuter car that absorbs smaller bumps. It also handles very well: The Regal GS has an all-wheel drive that really keeps the car glued to the road. I had to make sure this was a Buick. I had fun the weekend I drove it.
Like most midsize luxury sedans, the Regal uses a two-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. This one packs a punch with 260-horsepower and sounds a little coarse when revved high. You can opt for manual transmission if you want to forgo the all-wheel drive system. The automatic in my tester was up to the task for all types of driving.
If you do pick the all-wheel drive model, fuel economy is lower than those with front-wheel drive. The AWD GS is rated 19 mpg in the city, and 27 mpg on the highway. The front-wheel drive models see 31 mpg on the highway if you can shift your own gears, 30 mpg if you want an automatic.
The interior is more Euro-chic as well; the GS, in particular, has heated sport seats covered in leather. The seats are comfortable and more firm than previous Buick models. The rear seats are good for two (three in a pinch) with decent headroom and legroom. It’s a little tight on your knees if you’re over six feet tall. The materials used are soft to the touch and a step up for GM as of late.
The car isn’t entirely perfect, however: The touch panel for adjusting the temperature wasn’t the best. I couldn’t use it with gloves and sometimes it wouldn’t adjust at all. A rotary knob or an actual button would solve the issue. The large touch screen for the NAV/radio and backup camera worked well and pairing a phone is simple and quick. The Regal also has a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot; combined with the Bluetooth, that makes for a nice office in a parking lot, or a movie in the backseat for long rides.
It wasn’t long ago that if you were looking to get an entry-level luxury sedan, I would have suggested something German or the new Acura TLX. But after a week with the 2015 Buick Regal GS, I might need to change that. The more Euro-centric sedan is from Buick, something I never thought I’d say.
The base Regal starts at $32,000 and you still get the powerful engine and a real bargain. Price some of the competition, and you’ll see that the Regal GS AWD is a fine machine and a great deal.
