MUS News and World Report - Regal ties for #1 ranking with BMW 3-Series Good news. In its ranking of Midsize luxury sedans US News and World Report ranks Regal as tied for #1 with the BMW 3-Series!
Buick Regal - What the Auto Press SaysThe 2011 Buick Regal ranks 1 out of 19 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 27 published reviews and test drives of the Buick Regal, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2011 Buick Regal offers midsize sedan buyers a sporty option that can compete with some upscale models.
Buick has been undergoing a renaissance lately, with the redesigned LaCrosse bowing to almost-unequivocal reviewer praise last year. Now, the 2011 Buick Regal is hitting the market, and while it competes for near-luxury buyers with the LaCrosse, reviewers say it's aiming for a very different segment of that market: drivers who like a little sport in their sedans.
While the LaCrosse appeals to buyers who want a quiet touring car, Autoblog says, "For the first time in its history, the Regal is truly worthy of being called a sports sedan." Not only that, Autoblog, like other reviewers, argues that the Regal can compete with upscale midsize sport sedans like the Acura TSX and Audi A4.
While most critics assert that the Regal lives up to its sporting pretensions, others question if the Buick brand, which is historically known for sedans that handle like yachts and are popular with the early-bird special crowd, is strong enough to pull buyers over from imports. Still, reviewers say that even though the Buick brand may not be strong enough to pull buyers in, overlooking the Regal would be a mistake.
Among midsize cars, the Regal shines with performance that balances fuel economy and power, handling and ride comfort. Reviewers are impressed with the handsome exterior and comfortable interior. All in all, if you're shopping midsize sedans, reviewers say that the Regal should be on your short list.
If you're shopping for premium feel, reviewers almost dare you to put the Regal against cars like the Acura TSX, Lexus ES and Audi A4. All three are more expensive and have more cachet than the Regal -- however, many reviewers say the Regal can take them all on. That means that if you’re willing to sacrifice brand recognition you can get a better car at a lower price by opting for the Regal.
Details: Buick RegalThe Buick Regal is an all-new model for 2011. For its initial rollout, the Regal is available only in its top-of-the-line CXL trim; next year the base CX and middle CXS trims will be available. The Regal enters the market with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, but a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder will be available in late summer 2010. A performance tuned GS model will be available next year. The Regal is based on the Opel Insignia (which is available only in Europe) and shares some components with the well-liked Buick LaCrosse. However, the Regal is smaller and sportier than the LaCrosse.
"What it is, it turns out, is a very well tuned, near-luxury sport sedan
that, in terms of sheer driving pleasure, surpasses anything else in its
class made in Detroit these days, not to mention imports like the Acura
TSX and the Lexus ES350."--Automobile Magazine
"Put another way: If you like your old Buick, this ain't it. But if you
like the kind of work Acura has done with the TSX, the all-new Regal
will be a pleasant surprise."--AutoWeek
"Like the Buick LaCrosse, the Regal is far removed from the floaty-boat
reputation that has cursed the brand, along with an aging demographic
that Buick is desperate to change. The Regal now looks and performs in a
class-competitive manner. "--Car and Driver
"The $26,995 Regal CSX is sleek, stylish and comprehensively equipped,
with suavely European road manners. The $29,495 Regal Turbo is a
wonderfully subversive sport sedan whose punchy, 220-hp blown Ecotec
four and supple, yet buttoned-down, chassis puts Acura's homely TSX on
notice, and seriously makes you wonder whether an Audi A4 is really
worth the money."--Motor Trend
"Buick hopes customers looking at an Acura TSX, Lexus IS or an Infiniti
G37 will consider the Regal. I think that's optimistic but not out of
the question, though it will take a while."--Chicago Tribune
"The Regal is a good-looking, excellent-handling midsize sedan that
packs a lot of content for its price, with just a few drawbacks."--
Cars.com
"So let's see what we have here; A gorgeous, fun-to-drive, quick,
comfortable, well-equipped American sedan built with the quality of its
German competitors... and it's a Buick. Who knew?"--Jalopnik
"On paper, the Regal Turbo’s just-under $30k price point puts it in
competition with the base, four-cylinder TSX while offering power closer
to the $35k TSX V6. "--The Truth About Cars
Regal Performance - 9.0 (Excellent)Car reviewers are impressed with how the 2011 Buick Regal performance.
"General Motors engineers put their sport sedan right in the sweet spot,"
says AutoWeek "With plenty of nimble handling and good turbo power (220 hp,
258 lb-ft, 7.5-second 0-60 mph), combined with a reasonably quiet and relatively smooth ride." Read More
Regal Exterior - 9.2 (Excellent)Most reviewers think that the Buick Regal is a stylish sedan that easily keeps pace with the competition in the looks department. Motor Trend calls the Regal "a terrific-looking car: modern, characterful, sporty, with great stance and artfully sculpted sheet metal." Read More
Regal Interior - 9.0 (Excellent)Reviewers don't have trouble finding nice things to say about the 2011 Buick Regal's interior. Autoblog says, "Like its exterior, the Regal's cabin is also engaging." That engaging cabin features comfortable seats, high-quality materials, zen-like quietness and a long list of available features. Read More
Regal Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)Though the federal government hasn’t crash-tested the 2011 Buick Regal yet, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a “Top Safety Pick.”
The 2011 Buick Regal is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/100,000 powertrain warranty.
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