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- Highs Handsome sheetmetal, composed handling, deluxe front seats.
- Lows Some cheap plastic spoils the cabin's appearance, not as quick as expected, lacks brand-name prestige.
- Verdict The Regal GS straddles the luxury and performance lines between mainstream Buicks and low-end Cadillacs, but ultimately falls short of its sporty mission.
Overview
The GS version of the midsize Regal sedan is part of Buick’s recent effort to re-position itself as a semi-premium brand below Cadillac, its traditional place in the General Motors lineup, after years of marketing mostly badge-engineered Chevrolets. As the sporty Regal variant, the GS comes with a tighter, sportier suspension, more powerful engine than the standard Regal, and a de-chromed look to compete as a bargain-priced Audi S4 or BMW 3-series. Like the base Regal Sportback, the GS is a four-door hatchback, and the new Regal TourX crossover-wagon slots between the two in price and position. The GS has unique front and rear fascias, new vents and its own grille, a small decklid spoiler, dual exhaust tips and 19-inch GS wheels with P245/40R-19 tires standard. The Buick Regal is based on the Opel Insignia, so the model’s future in coming years is uncertain after PSA’s purchase of Opel/Vauxhall from GM in 2017.
What’s New for 2018?
The Regal GS is an all-new car for 2018, with redesigned sheetmetal, an all-new interior, and a naturally aspirated V-6 replacing 2017’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The wheelbase is 0.7-inches longer for 2018, with a 2.7-inch stretch in overall length and 0.2-inch wider body.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Regal GS: $39,995
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Regal GS gets a 51-horsepower boost to 310 horsepower by dropping last year’s standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine in favor of a 3.6-liter V-6. The GS comes only with torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive to better compete with rear-wheel-drive sport sedans. Compared with standard Regals, the GS also adds Brembo brakes, and adaptive dampers with the driver’s choice of normal, sport and GS driving modes. Choosing the sporty “GS” steering setting only adds weight without adding feel or feedback, however. The V-6 builds speed deceptively on entertaining mountain roads and the buttoned-down chassis contributes to driver confidence. The standard all-season tires, replacing the ’17 GS’s performance rubber, squeal under hard cornering as the car settles into mild understeer. The automatic does not come with paddle shifters for manual control of the nine gears, but the transmission does a commendable job of keeping the V-6 in its powerband. Brakes feel progressive, with serious stopping power and no fade.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
We called the GS model’s heated, cooled and massaging front sport seats with integrated headrests, thigh support and adjustable lumbar support “magnificent” in our first test drive. The GS also comes with a flat-bottom steering wheel. Thanks to a longer wheelbase and additional length from the previous model there’s more rear- seat legroom, and the interior is comfortable for four or even five passengers. A full-color head-up display comes with the Driver Confidence II package. Cargo space behind the rear seat is 31.5 cubic feet, and a capacious 60.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
Infotainment and Connectivity
An 8.0-inch (diagonal) touchscreen and 8.0-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster come standard, along with OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi, with a free three-month, three gigabyte trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the Regal GS's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
