Buick 2012 Regal

Buick 2012 Regal

The Buick Regal isn't just like the Buicks of old, or maybe of old people. The four-door sedan could be a version of GM's world mid-size cars, and sports European looks and tuning, and this year, a new GS edition that goes a long manner to making the Regal one in every of the simplest cars in the near-luxury category.

We tend to're giving the Regal a rating of seven here at MotorAuthority, with special honors for the Regal GS, new for 2012. All Regals are comfortable cruisers, with a taut ride and great looks, but the GS cranks up the power to its highest output nevertheless, and screws down the handling to a newly agile level.

The V-8 is history at Buick, and therefore the Regal takes the downsizing a step more. It's four-cylinder solely, with a normally aspirated base automobile delivering 182 horsepower, and the mid-level four with turbocharging administering a healthier 220 horsepower. Both of these engines team up with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle controls, and they provide a hint of sporty feel, even if straight-line performance and steering feel aren't particularly quick or crisp. The European heritage is evident, though, within the Regal's firmly damped ride, which gets some facilitate from the Regal's substantial curb weight.

Go for the GS model, if you're seeking excitement. The turbo four dials up 270 horsepower and comes with a selection of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, though the all-wheel drive from concept versions will not make it to production when all. The Regal GS still isn't quite as neurally responsive as a BMW 3-Series, or maybe a Volvo S60 turbo, but it is a happy, neutral-handling sports sedan with robust acceleration. Buick's adjustable ride and steering feel come with the GS, and crisping up its responses is as simple as touching a Sport or GS button on the dash, right next to the traction-stability control's "off" switch.

The Regal's European influences are simply as strong inside, where the sober interior gets white stitching on the GS model, and where a smaller back seat and trunk remind you that the Accord, the Sonata, and therefore the popularly priced mid-size sedans offer additional acreage per dollar. The Regal's dash is laid out effectively, though, and the new touchscreen navigation system rids the Regal of its worst cockpit control, the futzy roller wheel that directed the GPS in 201one models. Conjointly new this year is IntelliLink, that permits the Buick audio system and Bluetooth to direct some functions, and to plug in mobile apps like Pandora.

It's a bit a lot of expensive than the pedestrian family sedans, however its tighter size and styling--and with the GS, tighter handling--build the 2012 Buick Regal a premium choice in the sea of family-oriented four-doors. Stay with the GS, and you'll rarely be left bored.

For more on performance, styling, comfort, quality, safety and options, read TheCarConnection's full review of the 2012 Buick Regal, or catch up with the performance edition in our first drive of the 2012 Buick Regal GS.

Buick 2012 Regal

Buick 2012 Regal

Buick 2012 Regal

Buick 2012 Regal

Buick 2012 Regal