2018 Buick Regal Sportback Essence AWD: New look and feel!  

 

By Autoreviewman

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback is unveiled Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the General Motors Design Dome in Warren, Michigan. The Regal Sportback provides a balance of form and function with a coupe-like design and five-door layout enabling easier access to cargo space. Pricing will be announced closer to the sale date in the fourth quarter of 2017. (Photo by Steve Fecht for Buick)

The 2018 Buick Regal, arrives as a sleek Sportback model with five doors.  The sedan format of old is gone and I have to say Buck have done a wonderful styling job on the Sportback. Designed, engineered, and built in Germany, the Regal is neatly crafted and the rear Sportback door is smoothly integrated to create considerably more luggage space. The Regal comes in three trims, Preferred II FWD ($31,845), Essence AWD ($37,345), as tested, and the performance enhanced GS ($43,845). The standard   2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Essence develops a creditable 250 hp and 260 lb-ft hooked up to a new 9-speed automatic transmission in FWD configuration. On the All-Wheel Drive Essence model as tested, the powertrain arrives with an 8-speed tranny and produces 295 lb-ft of torque.

The Regals clean exterior styling is matched by an upscale interior, too. Polished metal and chrome accents, delineate the hard plastic used to panel the lower portions of the cabin, it’s an imaginative, inventive looking cabin with plenty of good texture and surface details. Ergonomics are also good. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard, and it provides access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar subscription services, and a 4G LTE WI-Fi hotspot connection. There is dual-zone auto climate control, and a heated steering wheel Wireless device charging is also available for the Regal. The Regals front seat are comfortable and there is plenty of legroom. At the rear   there are roomy seats, air conditioning vents, and if you need even more space, you can drop the middle section of the available 40/20/40-split folding rear seat to carry longer items.

On the road, the Buicks All-Wheel Drive is impressive and the car is very capable with adept. Handling.  The brakes are very good and there is responsive and accurate steering, with well-controlled body roll. The Regal Sportback handles very well indeed, staying flat around corners and offering decent acceleration. Its 2.0-litre, 250 hp turbocharged engine offer sprightly performance No much to complain about; an electrically powered liftgate and ventilated seats would be nice, Fuel economy (litres/100 km) is rated at: FWD: 10.7 City, 7.4 Hwy; AWD: 11.0 City, 8.0 Hwy, To sum up, the Buick Regal offers All Wheel Drive, great passenger and cargo carrying abilities, decent road manners, and a hushed cabin, Highly recommended.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback: Base priced from $31,845 – $43,845