2012 Buick Regal

2012 Buick Regal – Car Review by Lauren Fix, The Car Coach

The 2012 Buick Regal is not a traditional sedan for the average shopper. The latest Buick Regal is front-drive, powerful, polished and has knockout styling. Let’s take a closer look.

Make: 2012 Buick
Model: Regal
MPG: 19 / 31 mpg
Engine: 2.4L ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine with eAssist technology) with a 6-speed automatic
Price: starts at $22,000

The Regal is GM’s global, mid-sized sedan, sold in Europe as an Opel Insignia. The Buick’s dynamic shape is obvious in the renowned waterfall grille applied to the front of the car. This classic looks blended with the new modern interior makes the 2012 Buick Regal an impressive sedan.

The fuel-efficient eAssist engine provides:

•Fuel shut-off at stops and during deceleration, plus the “torque smoothing” electric motor provides greater fuel efficiency and a smoother drive.
•”Electric boosts” to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration helps the automatic transmission to operate more efficiently while a “hill-assist system” helps the driver stop easier and saves gas on down-hill steep grades.
•17-inch wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires.

Standard safety features include: antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control, OnStar, front seat side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Rear-seat thorax airbags are standard on the Premium 2 and above trim levels.

The Regal had a nice quiet interior and had very little wind and road noise during my test drive.

Competes with:

•Acura TSX
•Volkswagen CC
•Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
•Audi A4
•Volvo S60

Likes:

•sporty handling;
•high fuel economy with eAssist
•upscale cabin
•lots of standard features
•IntellliLink smartphone integration

Dislikes:

•Sluggish acceleration
•some interior discomfort
•some visibility issues
•narrow trunk.

The Buick Regal is a Euro-sized car with tight handling, especially when driving on twisty roads.

www.buick.com

Courtesy of YNN/ Time Warner Cable
Aired: 11/24/2011