These midsized Regals made their debuts as 2018 fashions, and just like the earlier Regal have been practically carbon copies of the European-bred Opel Insignia. Most previous-generation Regals have been assembled by General Motors in Canada, however the 2018-20 fashions have been all constructed by Opel in Germany. You bear in mind Opel: the inspiration of GM’s Germany-based European operations till a late-2017 sale to France’s PSA, makers of Peugeot and Citroën.
This Regal lineup was pretty sophisticated. The Sportback was a glossy four-door hatchback. For 2020 it got here in base, Preferred, Essence, and stylish Avenir trim. There was additionally a performance-flavored Regal Sportback GS that included subtly racier exterior look, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, entrance sport seats, adaptive sport-tuned suspension, and Brembo-brand brakes.
Heir to the Estate: 2018 Buick Regal Returns as Wagon
Most Regal Sportbacks have been front-wheel drive, and the usual powertrain mated a gutsy 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4 with an 8-speed automated. Essence was the lone trim stage provided with a selection of front- or all-wheel drive. The GS completely ran a naturally aspirated 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, nine-speed automated, and all-wheel drive. Sportback base costs began at $26,295 and topped out at $39,995 for the GS.
TourX was an off-road-flavored four-door station wagon offered in base, Preferred, and Essence fashions. Compared to Sportback, TourX rode greater and added some SUV-inspired trim across the decrease a part of the physique. TourX Regals got here customary with all-wheel drive, together with the turbo 2.0-liter and eight-speed automated. Sticker costs ranged from $30,295 to $35,995.
Both Regals ran a 111.4-inch wheelbase. Sportback forged a shadow 192.9 inches lengthy, whereas TourX stretched to 196.3 inches. Sportback’s hatch opened to a wagon-like 31.5 cubic toes of cargo room behind the rear seat. The again seat was provided in 60/40- and 40/20/40-split variations, and when both setup was folded flat, cargo house expanded to 60.7 cubic toes. For comparability, the prior-generation Regal sedan’s trunk provided 14.2 cubic toes of house. As you’d anticipate from a wagon, TourX was even roomier, with respective capacities of 32.7 and 73.5 cubic toes.
Depending on who you learn, 2020 calendar-year gross sales of all Regals got here to both 2484 (Automotive News) or 2493 (goodcarbadcar.web). Figure on a couple of extra for the overall mannequin 12 months.
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Pros:
- Trivia nerds will recognize that TourX was Buick’s first station wagon because the 1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, and Sportback the marque’s first hatchback because the ’87 Skyhawk Sport.
- Both physique kinds supply significantly better cargo versatility than conventional sedans.
Cons:
- Regal Sportback in stylish Avenir trim wasn’t provided with all-wheel drive.
- Considering these Regals have been largely invisible whereas in manufacturing, future collectibility is much from assured. We assume it’s probably tomorrow’s collectors will see these Buicks extra akin to a 1987 Skyhawk Sport relatively than an ’87 Grand National or GNX.
Final Drive:
Regal styling was surprisingly good-looking, and these have been properly outfitted, largely well-finished cars. But these Buicks merely didn’t promote, and your eagle-eyed scribe can depend on his fingers what number of he’s noticed in suburban-Chicago visitors. The fanatic’s selection will virtually actually be the Sportback GS, however the all-wheel-drive TourX wagon is a classy various to the very fashionable Subaru Outback.
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Source: weblog.consumerguide.com
