Buick Regal GS falls short
It looks sharp, but its powertrain is lacking.
We reviewed the previousgeneration Buick Regal GS in
2016 and concluded that the GS didn’t do enough to distinguish itself as a performance vehicle when compared with other Regal trim levels.
Would that be different with the new one? I hit the road outside Atlanta to find out if the
2018 Buick Regal GS could live up to its Grand Sport name.
Buick gave the Regal GS more aggressive styling with unique front and rear bumpers,
19-inch alloy wheels, side skirts and a rear lip spoiler. The changes are far from just cosmetic. There are Brembo brakes up front, a continuous damping control suspension, sport exhaust and three driving modes (Normal, Sport and GS).
The 3.6-liter V-6 in the GS makes 60 more horsepower than the 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder in the standard Regal. The GS adds a nine-speed automatic with its all-wheel-drive system, while the regular model only gets an eight-speed.
Does the jump up in engine size pay off with performance dividends? Not really. I found the powertrain to be the weakest part of the Regal GS’ performance credibility. It seems hesitant to accelerate both off the line and while traveling at speed.
The Regal GS doesn’t have steering-wheel-mounted transmission paddle shifters, which could really help deal with the engine’s responsiveness. It’s a weird thing to not put into a socalled performance-oriented vehicle.
Once it does get moving, the Regal GS does have performance strengths. In Normal driving mode, the ride is pliant and comfortable. If you bump the car into Sport or GS mode, the suspension noticeably tightens up, and the GS becomes surprisingly proficient in the corners for a 4,270pound sedan.
One performance feature I appreciated: The Sport driving mode is customizable, so you can add steering weight to the car if you prefer, while keeping the suspension in Normal mode, which is more comfortable on longer trips.
Other features the Regal GS does very well are its unique front sport seats, which are excellent, and the auto start-stop system that’s nearly seamless — which is good, because you can’t turn it off. Those front seats are standard on the Regal GS, and come with heating/ ventilation/massage features and powered side bolsters and thigh support. They’re serious- ly comfortable, and I wish they were standard on every car I drive.
The Regal GS starts at
$39,990 with destination charge. Our test car added three available packages: the Sights and Sounds Package for
$945, with navigation, HD radio and a Bose audio system; the Driver Confidence Package No. 2 for $1,690 that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist and a head-up display; and the Appearance Package for $485, with wireless charging pad, LED headlights, cornering lamps and automatic high beams.
Tack on $395 for the smoked pearl metallic paint, and you reach the $43,505 as-tested price.
Though the Regal GS fulfills the Grand part of its name with a comfortable ride and those wonderful seats, the Sport part feels unfulfilled. That powertrain holds the Regal GS back.