2011 Buick Regal Turbo: Not your grandfather’s Buick

Ask anyone what they think of Buick cars and they’ll tell you that they’re for old geezers and that they have ultra-soft  suspension, imprecise steering and below average performances. And, truth be told, this description was bang on a little less than a decade ago. Now, this brand, which is hugely popular in China, has done away with its old boats from back in the day in favour of cars that feature good performances, above average quality of assembly, and handling that is as good as the best European cars.

The first car in this line was the LaCrosse launched in 2009 (under the name Allure in Canada) as the 2010 model. It was very well received by the critics and its commercial successes proved that the public could overcome their preconceived notions about the brand. Then, in the summer of 2010, the Regal came on the scene. Initially, this elegant mid-size car was offered exclusively with a 2.4-litre 182-hp four-cylinder engine paired with a manumatic six-speed automatic transmission. When we first saw this American-German car, we liked its simple and elegant shape, its user-friendly dashboard and its excellent platform. The rigidity of the platform comes as no surprise since the Regal is very closely derived from the Opel Insignia, which was named “European Car of the Year” in 2009 and was the best-selling mid-size sedan in Europe if General Motors is to be believed. The first units of this Buick sold in Canada were manufactured in Germany, but beginning in the first quarter of this year, the Regal in all its configurations will be assembled in Oshawa.

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The turbocharged version of the Regal has been available for a few months. We had the opportunity to test drive it a short time ago and these are our impressions of this intermediate sedan whose mission it is to make us forget the Buicks of the not too distant past.

Classic elegance

When this car was unveiled, many people were eager to criticize its somewhat dull shape. True, at first glance this car seems to lack a little visual punch. But the more you look at it, the more inclined you are to agree with the stylists’ choice to give it a wedge-shaped, just-aggressive- enough silhouette. Naturally, the most prominent feature is the chrome front grille with its vertical bars creating a waterfall effect. You also have to give high marks to the tail end with its little rear spoiler overhanging a chrome crossbar. Our test version came equipped with optional 19-inch tires mounted on very elegant alloy rims. On the side panels, you won’t find Buick’s traditional air vents. On the other hand, the raised wheel wells and the side panels that are set back in relation to the rocker panel add a little something special. All in all, this car may look a little Plain Jane, but it is well balanced.

In the passenger compartment, it’s hard to find fault with the level of the overall presentation, the quality of the materials and the finish. For a few years now, General Motors seems to have kicked the bad habit of botching the finish. However, the plastics on the dashboard have been criticized for their lack of texture. It’s simple, but that certainly doesn’t make them look cheap. Furthermore, many very prestigious European brands are adopting the same solution. By the way, our test version did not come with a satellite navigation system, but I’m not complaining. That helps keeps the price of this car at a reasonable level. This Buick came equipped with the preferred equipment group that includes xenon headlights, the Interactive Drive Control System to adjust the suspension, and 19-inch wheels.

Its excellent driving position is also noteworthy while the driver’s seat proved to be very comfortable even during rides that lasted more than two hours. Moreover, both driver and passenger have eight-way adjustable seats, which is uncommon at least for the passenger seat.

Four cylinders!!!

Our test car was a CXL Turbo model powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring 220-hp and producing 258 lbs-ft of torque. This reasonably generous torque is available from 2,000 rpm – turbocharging has its advantages. Also of note is the fact that this Buick is powered by a four-cylinder engine, and a 2.0-litre to boot. Not so long ago, this car would have had no less than a V6, but instead GM is adopting what is sure to be the trend in the years to come, namely an engine with a small capacity equipped with a turbocharger, thus helping get good fuel consumption for a car in this category. We recorded an average of 9.4 litres per 100 km, while benefitting from very responsive performances.

In spite of all that, some people we met during this test drive still dismissed it as “just a #?%$*#ing four-cylinder”.  This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that runs like a dream. It is equipped with a manumatic mode that made it a pleasure to shift gears manually, which is not always the case with this type of transmission. It will also be possible to order a Regal Turbo with a six-speed manual transmission. In fact, it comes factory standard, while the automatic is optional.
Of course, the front and rear suspensions are independent and this car features all the usual electronic driving aids.

Quite a touring car!

To appreciate this Buick, you have to love well-balanced cars that feature excellent performances across the board. Its accelerations aren’t necessarily lightning fast, although its 0-100 km/hr time of less than eight seconds is nothing to sneeze at. But what is most impressive is this car’s handling and how much fun it is to drive. On a winding road, this Buick of German descent takes on turns like the best European cars. The steering is precise and is not over-assisted. As for the rest, it has impressive overall balance and the brakes turn out to be powerful enough to get you out of trouble. What’s more, our test model came with an adjustable suspension, which helps give it sportier handling when the need arises and a comfortable suspension that is not too soft for everyday driving.

I had the chance to do a same-day round trip between in Montréal and Québec City. Once more, this car turned out to be an excellent touring car and my passenger was particularly impressed how quiet the ride is. He also appreciated how comfortable his seat was. Moreover, when I drove him back to his car that he left in a parking lot in suburban Montréal, he got into his car and after a few kilometres, he thought that there was a problem with it because it was so noisy. Then he remembered that it was normal. The Buick was so quiet that it put his own car to shame.

Basically, those who put aside their prejudice toward the brand and the manufacturer are going to be pleasantly surprised. Furthermore, the basic equipment is reasonably substantial and its price is equally attractive since the price tag on our car before taxes and accessories was $34,995, which is very good considering the quality. It remains to be seen if the public is going to trust Buick and forget certain unbearable cars that this division offered over the last three decades.