Buick’s Regal has been in production for a long time – since 1973, to be exact.
So long, you may have memories of the car being a favorite of old folks driving to church.
The 2015 version, which comes in five trim levels, will boggle the mind of longtime supporters of the brand. My tester, the top-of-the-line AWD GS, was a bona fide, world-class, sports car.
It’s a mid-size, four-door sedan that is essentially a re-badged Opel Insignia, assembled at GM’s plant in Ontario, Canada. The next generation, rumor has it, may be assembled in Germany.
Got your attention yet?
Powered by a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged fourcylinder engine that’s SAE-rated at 295 horsepower, the GS features an available advanced all-wheel drive system. Regal produces 15 percent more horsepower and 12 percent more torque than a standard Audi A4.
How ‘bout now?
It was ranked best sports sedan by “Consumer Reports” and a recommended buy (ahead of BMW’s 328i). Regal also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest rating of “superior” when equipped with Buick’s forward-collision warning and automatic braking systems.
If you’re not boggled yet, I give up.
The car was put through its paces with long golf trips scheduled to the Home Course in Dupont, and Leavenworth Golf Course – in you guessed it, Leavenworth. The only complaint – and its minor – was the
smallish trunk was not large enough to accommodate even two golf bags. The problem was solved by dropping one side of the split/fold-down rear seats.
The Regal GS seats four adults in comfort and delivers a more than respectable 27 miles per gallon down the highway.
GS also features the exclusive application of Buick’s Interactive Drive Control system, which allows the driver to select different drive modes – including the GS mode and its track-oriented competitive setting. In GS mode, the driver receives more direct steering feedback, increased damping levels to reduce body roll, as well as an altered shift feel of the six-speed automatic transmission.
IntelliLink gives customers the best of both worlds when it comes to infotainment. It provides easy, intuitive operation of basic functions, yet it is also highly customizable and capable of linking multiple devices such as smartphones, USBs and MP3 players via its eight-inch touchscreen.
OnStar 4G LTE supplies a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot enabling driver and passengers to stay connected (up to seven devices). The hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on, and comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte
data trial, after which customers can purchase additional data.
Premium creature comforts include leather seating, dual-zone climate control, Bose nine-speaker audio, adaptive cruise control, rear-vision camera, navigation, CD player, XM satellite radio, ambient lighting and more.
My tester also included radar- and camera-based active safety features – including lane-change alert, lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert and collision-mitigation braking, and rear cross-traffic alert and side blind-zone alert.
If you’re ready to be dazzled – and can handle the truth – test drive the Buick Regal and experience the fun for yourself. Believe me, it’s way better than reading 500 words in the newspaper.
2015 BUICK REGAL GS
Base Price: $39,810
As Tested: $39,810
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
