2011 Buick Regal CXL - Driving Impressions

The all-new Regal reveals Buick's new values and potential.

By Shaun Bailey

Road and Track Magazine
November 23, 2009

Buick, a brand once thought near death, has a new lease on life. And this new Regal-an Opel Insignia that was originally slated to be the next Saturn Aura-is leading the charge. The days of the floaty and boaty Buick are over, a point made very clear by this new Buick Regal.

The Opel Insignia is a global car, sold as a Buick Regal in China since 2008 and the planned for the U.S. starting in early 2010. There is little visual distinction between the Insignia and Regal. The major changes are the badges, grille, headlamps and damper valving. The headlamps were changed for legal reasons, and the shocks tuned for the U.S.-market all-season 18-in. Michelin tires.

The Regal will first be shown at the LA Auto Show in November, followed shortly by the importation of German-built CXL models with a 6-speed automatic and a choice of 4-cylinder engines: a 2.4-liter direct-injection Ecotec making 182 bhp or 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged powerplant at 220 bhp. The turbocharged engine will be offered a few months after the normally aspirated engine, and for the 2012 model a 6-speed manual combined with other variants that will arrive. Think performance sports sedans.

On initial inspection there isn't a lot to get excited about. Front-wheel-drive sedans in this category are common. Think Acura TSX, Lincoln MKZ, Volvo S60 and Audi A4. What is exciting, however, is driving the car with the turbocharged 4-cylinder. This is a brilliant engine that made a name for itself in the Cobalt SS and HHR SS by being lively and powerful, while still offering decent economy. The turbocharged engine only suffers the loss of one mpg compared to the naturally aspirated 2.4. Estimated highway mileage numbers for these engines are 29 and 30 mpg, respectively.

The Epsilon chassis of the Regal is solid. From the well-bolstered leather driver's seat it's easy to sense this car's European flair and origins. There is a noticeable lack of chrome, and good attention to detail with the plastic parts. In my quick inspection I found not a single hard-hollow plastic panel. The tilt and telescope steering wheel allowed for a good ergonomic seat placement, and the only thing out of place on the car was the Buick emblem-particularly when you're driving the turbo with the 6-speed manual. There is little of this new car to associate with older Buicks.

It's not just the engine that's good-so is the chassis. The steering feel is superb, with minimal torque steer effects. Traction and yaw control are standard. Under hard acceleration, the mid corner traction control kicks in readily, resulting in light tugs on the steering wheel. For those who find this a bother, the stability system can be deactivated completely. An optional Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) will be made available, but was not ready at the time of this drive. This system will take an already sporting sedan and make it a complete sport sedan. It allows driver-selectable parameters for damper stiffness, transmission shift points, throttle map, steering assist and stability control limits. If the Regal had all-wheel drive, it could rival Audi's A4 Quattro.

For just this reason, an Opel Insignia OPC (Opel Performance Center) was shown to the journalists to reveal what this Buick could become. The OPC car has all-wheel drive, adaptive shocks, a twin-turbo 2.8-liter V-6 making 325 bhp, a 6-speed manual, Pirelli P Zero performance tires and Recaro seats. Opel sells something like 3000 of these a year in Europe, and this car would compete directly with an Audi S4, and probably win. The world may not be ready for a Buick like this, but we'd love it as a Regal GS. As it is, the turbo 4-cylinder pulls the 3600-lb. Regal to 60 mph in less than 7.5 seconds.

One attribute of older Buicks that has been kept is quietness. Listen carefully and the hiss of a spooling turbo can be heard. But roll up the windows and it's easy to have a conversation at 70 mph. Nobody to talk to? Turn up the optional Harman Kardon audio system and plug into the USB jack, or go wireless with Bluetooth. All the usual technology is available, as are heated seats. It has been a long time since such a thick rimmed leather steering wheel has graced a Buick. Or has one ever?

The one remaining question is price. It won't be announced until closer the L.A. show, but we expect the 2.4-liter CXL to start just under $30,000 with a loaded turbo car landing near $36,000.

What's Hot:

• Turbocharged engines
• Fuel efficiency
• Fun to drive

What's Not:

• No performance tire option
• Buick badge
• No awd model

Cars to Compare:

• Acura TSX
• Audi A4
• Volvo S60
• VW Passat