The Buick Regal GS is a sportier tackle the brand new Regal Sportback, itself a reasonably large departure from the automaker’s current crop of luxurious vehicles. Accessible solely with a three.6-liter V6, a nine-speed computerized transmission and all-wheel drive, the GS is supposed to draw a youthful, extra enthusiastic set of consumers.
The Regal GS undoubtedly affords a extra emotional design, and packs the most recent and biggest onboard tech. However the space the place it actually must succeed — driving dynamics — is sadly the place the place it finally misses the mark.
Sporty, sort of
The GS’ V6 produces a good 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. With regular, Sport and GS driving modes (consider that final one as Sport+), I anticipate this Regal to have three totally different personalities. But the truth is a automobile that hardly has any character.
In its commonplace mode, the GS’ nine-speed transmission upshifts shortly, as anticipated, tuned extra for straightforward commuting and gas financial system than enthusiastic driving. However push the Sport or GS buttons and… nothing actually occurs. Sure, the transmission will maintain gears just a little bit longer, however there is no obvious immediacy to the throttle response or transmission’s shift mapping. It would be good to only shift gears myself, however Buick would not supply paddle shifters with the automated transmission. Do not even take into consideration asking for a guide.
A zippy little nook carver it isn’t.
Buick
Sport and GS modes are stated to stiffen the suspension, with Steady Damping Management that may regulate chassis traits on the fly. The Regal GS can assault turns with sufficient gusto to fulfill most kinda-sporty drivers, simply absorbing bumps. The experience is snug, not agency. However as soon as once more, I can not really feel any discernible distinction between the three drive modes. In actual fact, the one factor I can really feel is steering weight. In regular mode, it is super-light, and in GS, it is obtained a pleasant quantity of weight.
The GS’ stop-start system is usually unobtrusive, which is an effective factor, since you possibly can’t flip it off. In principle, this fuel-saving expertise ought to assist the Regal GS obtain gas financial system scores of 19 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed. I did not see numbers fairly that top — attempt 19.2 mpg mixed — however I am going to admit to attempting to eke out each final drop of this automobile’s supposed sportiness.
Horny outdoors, low cost inside
The pull-me-over Sport Pink of my take a look at automobile is a wealthy hue, utilized to the Sportback’s smooth physique with curves you would not usually anticipate from a modern-day Buick. The silhouette is harking back to the Audi A5 Sportback, and the entrance fascia’s skinny headlamps and enormous air intakes offers off an impression of inherent sportiness.
Sadly, the inside is not so candy, with cheap-feeling buttons, chunky plastics and an total dated design. If it weren’t for the Eight-inch touchscreen, I would suppose this was a automobile from the mid-2000s. There’s hardly a curve available on the staid dashboard, and a number of the buttons are simply hilariously enormous. That is fairly dangerous, GM.
The entrance seats, nevertheless, are pleasant. The GS comes commonplace with sport seats which can be greater than keen to cradle your hindquarters. With heating, cooling and therapeutic massage capabilities, I by no means need to depart these chairs. I have never been hugged like this shortly.
The Regal Sportback physique model does wonders for cargo house. You have obtained 31.5 cubic toes behind the rear seats, increasing to a whopping 60.7 with the again bench folded. That is about as a lot as you get in a Mazda CX-5 crossover and simply bests lots of different compact CUVs. Should you’re the type of one that wants to hold plenty of stuff however hates SUVs, the Regal is perhaps of curiosity.
Nice, helpful onboard tech
Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system is housed in that aforementioned touchscreen. There’s just one bodily button, for the house display screen, and the whole lot within the infotainment interface is intuitively organized.
I actually like the assorted apps constructed into the IntelliLink system, just like the quick, podcast-like tales from information sources, and the Marketplace perform, which reveals me my current orders from Dunkin’ Donuts and permits me to reorder from contained in the automobile. The onboard navigation system is simple to make use of and understands the bizarre pronunciations of some California streets.
A cabin that is simply sort of “meh” takes a number of the pleasure out of the GS.
Buick
Must you need to skip IntelliLink altogether, each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are each commonplace, as is a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wi-fi smartphone charging is accessible, however even with out that, the Regal GS has three USB ports — two in again — and a 12-volt outlet.
A head-up show is accessible, with clear, shiny graphics and customizable data, projected proper onto the windshield. I may even see it whereas sporting polarized sun shades.
Each Regal GS comes commonplace with blind-spot monitoring and a rear-seat reminder. Adaptive cruise management is simply out there with the Driver Confidence II package deal, although not like different techniques, it may possibly’t be set at low speeds beneath 20 miles per hour. As soon as set, adaptive cruise can carry the GS to a whole cease and pause for three seconds earlier than disengaging.
Take away that pink, white and blue badge and also you may suppose the Buick is an Audi.
Emme Corridor/Roadshow
Sportback attraction
The Regal GS begins at $39,995, not together with $925 for vacation spot. I would add the Driver Confidence Bundle II for $1,690 as a way to get adaptive cruise management, however that is about it, that means my excellent GS is simply $40,760.
The closest competitor is Kia’s attractive new Stinger, which will be had with a twin-turbo V6 engine and rear- or all-wheel drive. Even the bottom 2.Zero-liter Stinger is a hoot, and it begins at $31,900. Dearer alternate options embody the Audi A5 Sportback or BMW four Collection Gran Coupe.
I just like the Regal GS as a result of it is practical and comfy to drive on daily basis, and is not simply one other sedan or crossover. I am going to definitely applaud Buick for doing one thing totally different, even when the tip consequence leaves quite a bit to be desired.