Driving impressions: Buick Regal

Who would ever have thought that a relatively compact, German-built, four-cylinder-only sedan would be sold through Buick dealers? Well, if you're old enough to remember the Opel Kadett from the early 1970s—or if you actually remember the Kadett existed at all—then you qualify. Otherwise, the new Regal might come as something of a surprise.

The 2011 Buick Regal marks a dramatic change from the Regals of yore. Aside from the legendary Grand Nationals, Regals were known for their tufted velour interiors, floaty suspensions, and long hoods. The new car redefines the moniker.


The brand new Buick Regal is the latest European import to wear a domestic badge. Despite the Buick badge it’s an Opel Insignia from General Motor’s German subsidiary, designed to compete with European mainstays like the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. Once destined to take the place of the Saturn Aura, the Regal should meet a happier fate as part of the renascent Buick lineup. After the first year of production the Regal will be built in Canada.

Buick hopes the new Regal will help transform its customer base from the AARP crowd to the SCCA fan base. To that end, the Regal is not a Honda Accord fighter but something closer to an Acura TSX, Audi A4, or Volvo S60. Available only as a sedan for now, the Regal starts at around $26,500. Typically equipped versions will go for close to $29,000.

Read More:  http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/08/driving-impressions-buick-regal.html

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