Topic: First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

[Autos_Editor]

"A well designed, modern sport-minded sedan," the new Regal is based on the Opel Insignia, currently the best-selling mid-size sedan in Europe, reports contributor Bob McHugh. Of the two engines available, he recommends waiting for the turbocharged engine coming this Fall.

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[sailor723]

The engine options seem a little light for a "premium" sport sedan. I would have expected something around 200-225 hp for a base engine and something in the high 200's for the optional offering.

[Ontariodriver]

Great a another re-badged Vauxhall. Bring back the Saturn.

[CatsEye68]

I see the peanut gallery is up early today!

Note to editors: the model designation is "CXL", not CLX.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Really, numbers are meanless; it the feel in the seat of your pants is important

[sailor723]

Really, numbers are meanless; it the feel in the seat of your pants is important

True, but as the reviewer said, the "seat of your pants" feeling is pretty insipid with the base engine.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Really, numbers are meanless; it the feel in the seat of your pants is important

True, but as the reviewer said, the "seat of your pants" feeling is pretty insipid with the base engine.

What do reviews know         We are the all knowing   

[safristi]

WHY? use the REGAL name with all its baggage...!!!!!................fer LUXURY SPORT designation it ONLY lacks 2 things LUXURY LOOK/Fitments ........and a SPORTY ENGINE..... ...................

 Honey they rebuilt the REGAL in Germany..........................

[Jaeger]

WHY? use the REGAL name with all its baggage

Excellent question Saf.  If they wanted to appeal to sport-minded drivers, why pick a label guaranteed to have the exact opposite effect?

On the plus side - kudos to GM for offering the turbo with the stick - though I guess I won't be able to try out that combo until the fall.

One the negative side - compared to Sonata numbers, both 4-bangers seem low on power.  The turbo, significantly so.

And then there's the styling.  Or perhaps I should say, "And then where's the styling?"  Nothing offensive or ugly about it (that's good) but you could post an image of this car, inside and out, in the dictionary under "generic family sedan" (that's not good).  Again, a curious choice when seeking to appeal to the sport / performance-minded buyer in the midsize sedan segment.

Jaeger

[footlong58]

WHY? use the REGAL name with all its baggage

Excellent question Saf.  If they wanted to appeal to sport-minded drivers, why pick a label guaranteed to have the exact opposite effect?

Jaeger

Regals have been "performace" minded in the past... T-Type Regals, Supecharged Regal GSX, etc...

[Thinking Out Loud]

 

Better then the Century or Skylark....but will the demographic Buick is (now) targetting remember the turbocharged Grand National / GNX from the 1980's? 

Le sigh....no more Cutlass 442......

[Dante]

I think the 2.0L Turbo should've been the base engine with the 2.8L V6 Turbo offered in Euroland as the higher-end option.

Other than that, a nice vehicle in and out and the best of all, you can swap the front grill and the badges for Opel branded parts (they are confirmed to be interchangeable) and the Buick/Regal stigma magically disappears.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Beautiful, perfectly sized, super solid high quality vehicle inside and out.

The 2.4L will be fine for most people... although acceleration is not brisk, surprised me in how effortlessly it cruises. The Turbo manual is more my style.

The seats look great with all their stitching, but didn't find them as supportive as they could be, and the headrest forces the head forward more than I like. And while I'm a little concerned about the price, various reviewers seem to think it offers good value.

If it came in a 5dr, wagon, or diesel, this'd be one highly desirable car for me.

Anyone contemplating a TSX, lamenting the standard Passat's demise, or are just generally in the market for a premium / entry luxury sedan should do themselves a favour and cross shop with Regal.

[Winterpeg]

This is the direction Buick should be taking.....it's time to bring a "younger" crowd to the salesfloor. Bravo !   

[Dante]

If it came in a 5dr, wagon, or diesel, this'd be one highly desirable car for me.

I think the wagon is in the cards isn't it? I've seen a white one with the Opel badge roaming in Woodbridge. It looked very sharp. I'm not sure if the manual will make its way into that model though.

[TopGun]

Beautiful, perfectly sized, super solid high quality vehicle inside and out.

The 2.4L will be fine for most people... although acceleration is not brisk, surprised me in how effortlessly it cruises. The Turbo manual is more my style.
.....
Anyone contemplating a TSX, lamenting the standard Passat's demise, or are just generally in the market for a premium / entry luxury sedan should do themselves a favour and cross shop with Regal.

That 2.4 is getting great reviews...especially vs. the 3.0 V6.

Great points SirA.

[aknutson]

Beautiful, perfectly sized, super solid high quality vehicle inside and out.

The 2.4L will be fine for most people... although acceleration is not brisk, surprised me in how effortlessly it cruises. The Turbo manual is more my style.
.....
Anyone contemplating a TSX, lamenting the standard Passat's demise, or are just generally in the market for a premium / entry luxury sedan should do themselves a favour and cross shop with Regal.

That 2.4 is getting great reviews...especially vs. the 3.0 V6.

Great points SirA.

I wonder if a smaller displacement engine with a turbo might have been better though - fill in the torque gap with the turbocharger and get similar mileage, like VW did with the 2.0T that offers up 200 hp (and more importantly 207 lb-ft torque) but still gets amazing mileage. That gives you the seat-of-the-pants punch but also winds down when cruising.

[D70]

A good review.

I am impressed with this car, saw some in China last year where its a big seller.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4194664062/

I sat in one at the Vancouver auto show last year and apart from having to be careful on entry, I'm 6 ft, it was a good fit.

The economy, performance combination for the turbo looks very attractive.

 In the mean time I'll stick to my roomier, just as quick, but slightly thirstier ( not by much ) already depreciated 10 year old low mileage orphan.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4194664062/  

 

[Dee]

This looks to me like a cross-breed between Infiniti G37 and Suzuki Kizashi - especially at the rear end and wheels. Great mimic job, Government Motors.

Way better than the previous generation Buick Regal, nontheless.
 

[Dante]

Beautiful, perfectly sized, super solid high quality vehicle inside and out.

The 2.4L will be fine for most people... although acceleration is not brisk, surprised me in how effortlessly it cruises. The Turbo manual is more my style.
.....
Anyone contemplating a TSX, lamenting the standard Passat's demise, or are just generally in the market for a premium / entry luxury sedan should do themselves a favour and cross shop with Regal.

That 2.4 is getting great reviews...especially vs. the 3.0 V6.

Great points SirA.

I wonder if a smaller displacement engine with a turbo might have been better though - fill in the torque gap with the turbocharger and get similar mileage, like VW did with the 2.0T that offers up 200 hp (and more importantly 207 lb-ft torque) but still gets amazing mileage. That gives you the seat-of-the-pants punch but also winds down when cruising.

THERE IS a 2.0L I4 Turbo coming on this car, good for 220 HP.