Buick's smallest car model, the Regal, is well into its second generation since the brand kicked off a decade-old bid to stay relevant in the eyes of younger drivers. What began as a compact sedan in 2011 was reborn as something closer to a mid-size in 2018, when Buick also replaced the previous model's traditional trunk with a stealthy hatchback-type tailgate.
For 2020, the Regal is carried over unchanged from last year as a handsome, unremarkable-looking car that competes with a range of upscale sedans. If you're curious about the Regal, you might also test drive the Lexus ES, BMW's 3 Series, Acura TLX, Lincoln MKZ and the forthcoming (as of this writing) Cadillac CT5.
Buick starts the Regal line off in Preferred II trim with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission are standard. Essence trim adds AWD and swaps in an eight-speed transmission.
Regal goes full-on luxury in Avenir trim, which reverts to FWD/nine-speed form. Performance comes in the Regal GS, which gets AWD, a nine-speed and a 3.6L V6 engine good for 310 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque.
Standard features in the base Preferred II package include 18-inch wheels, fog lights, automatic on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, LED taillights, cloth upholstery, an eight-way power driver's seat, six-way manual front passenger seat adjustments, two-way adjustable front-seat lumbar, 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, passive keyless entry and a seven-speaker stereo.
Essence trim adds active noise cancellation, upgraded stereo speakers, heated front seats, eight-way power front passenger seat adjustments and leather seating.
The Regal's Avenir package brings a Bose eight-speaker stereo, rear park assist sensors, 19-inch wheels, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring with lane change alert, auto-levelling LED headlights with cornering lamps, wireless smartphone charging, four-way front-seat lumbar and auto-dimming side mirrors.
GS trim gets front and rear park assist sensors, trim-specific 19-inch wheels, power seats with memory, sport pedals, massaging front seats with ventilation, adjustable thigh supports and side bolsters and a sport steering wheel.
As we write this, Buick hadn't published the 2020 Regal's fuel consumption estimates, but we expect them to be the same (or close to) as numbers for last year's car. Those numbers are 10.6/7.4 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 2.0L engine and FWD; 11.0/8.0 with the 2.0L and AWD combo; and 12.4/8.7 for the GS and its V6/AWD powertrain.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
