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“The car is dead,” some might say.
Or at least on the ropes, battered by CUV popularity as crossovers surge in sales, customer attention and press and industry hoopla.
Even Buick, the brand best known for sedans in the past, now makes most of its money from the CUV side of the lineup with Encore, Enclave and Envision.
But, for the 2018 model year, Buick has reinvigorated the common car, adding a unique mix of utility and style within a brand new Regal lineup, tested here during a vehicle launch drive across Vancouver Island recently in the Regal Sportback and its GS performance cousin.
BUICK REGAL SPORTBACK 2018:
So, okay, it looks like a normal car.
Actually, sort of like a coupe based on its slippery side profile, smoothly styled with a swooping, almost fastback roofline.
But, hold on, it must be a sedan, with that four-door layout.
Hmmm, maybe a sport sedan, sleek-lined with a sporty grille and jewel-like halogen/LED headlight assemblies, aerodynamic curves and crease and a bold, aggressive stance.
But, wait a minute, what’s this surprise added in back? A liftback instead of a trunk? And opening to a ute-like 892 litres of luggage room, more than twice the cargo space of its predecessor (400), further expandable by flopping the 60/40 second row (or optional 40/20/40 seats) forward for a maximum 1,719 litres that’ll take camping equipment, hockey sticks and bags, and more.
More, in fact, than the higher priced but size-comparable Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.
The Sportback platform pulls the wheels to the corners, stretching the wheelbase 76 mm more than its predecessor, with a corresponding increase in size and interior room.
It also benefits from the quiet civilities of a stronger, more rigid, more athletic and lighter (-91 kg) superstructure.
Those civilities are enhanced further with Buick’s QuietTuning noise insulation, a new, quieter five-link rear suspension and active noise cancellation on AWD models, along with the first use of Continental Conti-silent tires that utilize a foam layer inside to reduce noise by up to 10 decibels.
The Sportback harnesses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 250 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque (FWD) through a nine-speed automatic, or 295 lb-ft of torque (AWD) through an eight-speed automatic mated to the intelligent allwheel drive’s active twin-clutch differential that can shift power from front-to-back and from side-to side, directing torque to whichever wheel has the most traction.
Model choices include the Preferred II FWD ($31,845) and the Essence AWD ($37,345).
We mainly piloted the AWD model that will make the bulk of Canadian sales and this combo carves corners competently, offering more than enough ride, handling and power to make everyday driving chores a pleasure.
Of course, if you’re looking for just that little bit more . . .
BUICK REGAL GS 2018:
The Buick Regal GS ($43,845) takes the inherent qualities of the Sportback and pushes the performance envelope further.
It starts with a 3.6-litre V6 making 310 hp and 282 lb/ft of torque channeled through its standard ninespeed automatic and intelligent all-wheel drive system.
The V6 offers cylinder-deactivation for improved fuel economy and, like the Sportback’s four cylinder, also adds stop/start technology. Interactive Drive Control lets the driver select from Touring, Sport and GS modes. And Buick’s second-generation Continuous Damping Control (CDC) can adjust suspension damping up to 500 times per second, further sharpening ride and handling response.
A comprehensive collection of available driver assists and option packages adds new techs like lane keep warning and assist, new front pedestrian braking and, across the Sportback and GS lineup, a Buick-first Active Hood that uses pyrotechnic activation to pop the hood up 100 mm (four inches) in order to soften the blow of a low-speed pedestrian impact.
There’s a long list of performance pluses to complement the bigger V6 including fourpiston Brembo front brakes, vented rear brakes with larger rotors, bigger 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned exhaust, metal pedals and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel.
And it’s all packaged with performance cues that include unique front and rear fascias, side skirts and rear spoiler along with GS doorsill badging.
Inside, drivers can park their posteriors in chiropractor-approved high performance seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, while facing forward towards a driver-oriented cockpit with an eight-inch gauge cluster and available head-up display.
Sure, the GS is more likely to capture the heart of an enthusiast but the Buick Regal lineup, from Sportback to GS, offers a budgetvarying blend of uniquely styled utility for an audience looking for something a little different, something that doesn’t look like everyone else’s SUV/CUV.
Buick has always blurred the lines between status and affordability, straddling the gap between Chevrolet and Cadillac with products designed for “attainable luxury”.
Now Buick has blurred the line between crossover utility and sport sedan style with its unique Sportback and GS offerings.
What’s Best: A handsomely stylish new Buick. Always nice to see something different and the Sportback design with AWD offers the best of both car and SUV worlds.
What’s Worst: It would be nice if the V6 had more torque than the four-cylinder. Inside hatch release is needed. Too bad we don’t get the TOURX wagon version.
What’s Interesting: The German-built Sportback shares the Russelheim assembly line with Europe’s Opel/Vauxhall Insignia versions.
Curiously there are no HEV/PHEV/EV Sportback versions but maybe in staggered succession later.