#NYIAS: Buick Trying To Bring SEXY Back? All-New, 2018 Regal Gets Sharper Look

Buick Introduces Expressive New 2018 Regal Sportback

Sleek appearance, excellent driving performance and unexpected flexibility

DETROIT — With the 2018 Regal Sportback, Buick builds on its track record of making bold moves outside traditional vehicle segments to deliver unique customer offerings that fit modern lifestyles. The Regal Sportback provides a sleek, sporty, coupe-like design, the spirited performance of a premium sports sedan and unexpected versatility in one sophisticated package for a perfect balance of form and function.

The coupe-like roofline captures the expressive style and passion customers want, while the five-door layout enables easier access to cargo space. With the split-folding second row seats in place, the new Regal Sportback offers 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than twice as much as the 2017 Regal.


New York Auto Show preview

In keeping with its sporting nature, the Regal Sportback’s cabin takes a driver-centric approach, with the center stack skewed towards the driver for a cockpit feel. The cabin’s craftsmanship is characterized by clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and premium seating materials.

“The new Regal Sportback was developed with today’s active, independent, premium car customer in mind,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. “They have an SUV in the garage and are looking to complement it with a sport sedan, but have an appreciation for the usefulness of a versatile cargo space when an occasional need arises.”

Regal Sportback highlights:

• Available intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) with active twin-clutch for improved vehicle control and efficiency in any conditions.

• AWD models have an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive models have a nine-speed automatic.

• The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a GM-estimated 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (FWD) and 295 lb-ft of torque (AWD).

• The discreetly integrated rear opening has a tri-folding 40/20/40 rear seat available and a 60/40 split-folding seat standard.

• Safety innovations include a Buick-first active hood pedestrian safety system, Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist.

• There’s more overall cargo space than the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe, with 60.7 cubic feet behind the first row.

• Signature Buick QuietTuning includes all-new tire insulation to help reduce road noise on front-wheel-drive models and premium five-link rear suspension on AWD models.

The Regal Sportback’s spirited performance comes by way of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine standard producing a GM-estimated 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The power is routed to the front wheels via an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission. An available 295 lb-ft of torque is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission on models with optional intelligent AWD with an active twin-clutch differential. The engine comes standard with advanced start/stop technology.

With the Regal Sportback, Buick continues to establish itself as a leader in all-wheel-drive technology. Also available on the Regal TourX, Envision and LaCrosse, Buick’s innovative new system uses two clutches at the rear wheels for seamless, smart torque distribution. Beneficial not just in snowy weather but also during spirited driving, the system relies less on braking to maintain maximum performance and efficiency.

Buick offers AWD across its entire portfolio, with the exception of the Cascada convertible.

The exterior design of the 2018 Regal Sportback is visually low and tailored, hinting at an advanced body structure that is stiffer, stronger and approximately 200 pounds lighter than the previous generation Regal. Customers will notice this reduction through more athletic handling and improved efficiency. With wheels pushed farther to the corners and a wheelbase stretched more than 3 inches than its predecessor, more expressive proportions are paired with improved passenger space.

The chassis has been tuned for refined control and a confident everyday driving character. AWD models feature an all-new five-link rear suspension that provides improved road noise isolation and tuning designed to match that drivetrain’s advanced capabilities.

The 2018 Regal Sportback offers new levels of crash prevention and protection. It is the first Buick to offer a standard active hood pedestrian safety system that senses the imminent impact of a pedestrian between 16-30 mph and uses a pyrotechnic actuator to lift the back of the hood up about 4 inches to lessen the impact and potentially reduce injury.

Available Driver Confidence I package adds popular active safety features including Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist. A more advanced Driver Confidence II package adds Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking.

Standard equipment on every 2018 Regal Sportback includes push-button start and entry, Hill Start Assist, 10 air bags, universal home remote and heated side mirrors.

Every Regal Sportback also comes equipped with an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (AT&T data plan purchase required after limited data trial period) and five years of the OnStar Basic Plan at no additional cost. Among other benefits like an industry-leading myBuick app, this connectivity plan features OnStar Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help Buick owners maximize their vehicle’s overall performance and become better drivers.

A 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard, while an 8-inch system with available embedded navigation is optional. Bose premium audio is also available, while Sportback offers standard active noise cancellation on all AWD models.

Available in four trim levels — Regal, Preferred, Preferred II and Essence — the Regal Sportback is aimed at those who possess a passion for driving and demand a vehicle that represents their personality and style. 

While pricing and other details will not be announced until closer to the on-sale date in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Regal Sportback will offer style and performance on par with more expensive competitors, with a pricing strategy consistent with why Buick has been named Kelley Blue Book’s Best Value Luxury Brand four years in a row.

2018 Buick Regal Specifications
Overview

Propulsion Systems

Chassis / Suspension

Dimensions
Exterior

Interior

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

TheSteve - 4/8/2017 6:55:31 PM

+1 Boost

The name "Buick" still says "old man's brand" to me, even though their styling is getting much better.

MBguy - 4/8/2017 7:33:57 PM

+3 Boost

Attractive ... FOR A BUICK.

But precisely what is innovative or groundbreaking here??

I like the hatch thing - but other than that, there isn't anything that going on that's a game changer.

The big news is that it has a Buick nameplate. If it was an Infiniti or Lexus, no one would be paying attention.

MDarringer - 4/8/2017 7:44:14 PM

+1 Boost

The styling--like that of the Lacrosse--looks a good 10 years old. It's forgettable and mildly pleasant but not impressive at all. China will love it. In the USA it will need money on the hood.

It's obvious that the Regal is again a badge-engineered Opel, a brand that has been irrelevant for decades in Europe. With the current Regal being such a sales failure, I hoped that Buick would have either killed it or replaced it was a gorgeous car.

To think that this is from the same company that did the gorgeous Avenir and Avista is almost antithetical.

Buick needs to pull a "Lincoln" and revive a legacy nameplate or two. I'd love to see an Invicta replace this and the Lacrosse and an Electra pulled off the Volt.

cidflekken - 4/9/2017 2:13:06 AM

+3 Boost

Kind of like Anne Hathaway, whom people tend to describe as "well, she's not ugly".

Truthy - 4/9/2017 1:51:54 PM

+2 Boost

MDarringer, the styling does not look at at all. What do you deem good design, the Lexus oragami? Godd design is good design and the Regal is not a sales failure. Buick is here because of its success in China. Before you turn your nose up and dismiss it go see it in the metal and drive one.

MDarringer - 4/9/2017 6:43:54 PM

0 Boost

@Truthy The Regal is a TOTAL sales failure. Look at its numbers. It costs the same as the mid to high level Camry et. al. and sells LESS in a year what they sell in 2-3 weeks.

As for styling in the segment, the Fusion, Sonata, Optima, and the Accord are quite attractive whereas the Regal is forgettable and even more so the new one.

TomM - 4/9/2017 3:58:37 PM

+2 Boost

There was a time when a BUICK was a DOCTORS car - just below the Cadillac - but with elegance and presence. Later - Buick meant STYLE - with the Riviera often being a great example of that. Before the Riviera - there were lots of other Examples. Several Rivieras were really well Styled cars - others were not as good though. All the while - a Buick always meant a cut above - not an entry level Chevy or Pontiac - and even higher than the Oldsmobile/Mercury/Chrysler. The largest Buick - the Roadmaster/Electra/225/ParkAve - was built on the Cadillac Platform - and Buicks were always known for their reliability. THey are not meant to be cutting edge (Pontiac and corvette was for that) - nor were they meant to be performance (ALthough they did have some that were). AND there were lots of us who Aspired to drive and own one as the Sunday car - Quiet and Comfortable and luxurious. I could still build a Hot Rod for fun. A Buick did not mean you got there - it meant you arrived - and there was something "Special" about it.

No - Matt - I see no reason to go back to the legacy names- which only support the "Old mans car" reputation. BUT still - it is the Older Folks who actually have the money to buy a near Luxury and Luxury Vehicle and I also see no reason why GM should abandon that group (As they have with Cadillac). However - Buick has retained NAMES - which is how cars should be sold at this level.

But looking back to the many really good looking Buicks - I could see them become the style leader at GM again.

llaroo - 4/9/2017 5:32:43 PM

+2 Boost

60+ crowd who like to think they are driving progressive design in technology and aeasthetics at a reasonable price. Let them believe it. No harm done :)

Holydude - 4/10/2017 6:24:24 PM

+1 Boost

Yawn.