Whether the new Buick Regal, aka Opel Insignia (now built in Russelsheim, Germany, but soon to be built in Oshawa, Ontario) will capture the hearts and minds of Canadian Buick buyers is an open question. General Motors’ past efforts to re-badge Opel cars for the North American market haven’t been too successful. They included the Cadillac Catera (1997-2001) an Opel Omega clone; the Saturn Astra (2008-2009), a rebadged Opel Astra; the Saturn Aura (2008-2009), aka Opel Vectra; and the Saturn Vue SUV (2008), a version of the Opel Antara. It’s the new Buick, you see. Octogenarians need not apply. A four-cylinder engine in a mid-sized Buick, you say? “All the power you’ll need? ” I wouldn’t blame you for being sceptical. But after having spent a week with the Buick Regal, I was impressed at how peppy and quiet this four-banger is and there were times when I thought there was a V6 under the hood.
It does feel a bit stretched when pulling out to pass at highway speeds, but around town and in typical commuting duties, it’s more than adequate. On the freeway at 100 km/h, the engine motors along at only 1,800 r.p.m. With direct fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust valves, and electronic throttle control, this “Ecotec” 2.4-litre engine is a sophisticated powerplant that develops 182 horsepower at 6,700 r.p.m. 172 lb.-ft. torque at 4,900 r.p.m. Energuide fuel economy ratings are 10.8/6.5 city/hwy (L/100 km) while EPA ratings are 12.4/7.8 city/hwy. My test car’s onboard fuel consumption display read 11.4 L/100 km after a week of city and highway driving. The Regal uses Regular gas. GM’s smooth-shifting Hydra-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment in the Regal CXL (a six-speed manual transmission will be available in the Turbo model) and it’s a good match with the engine. It offers sequential manual shifting by moving the shift lever into a gate and pushing forwards to shift up, back to shift down.
Low-profile 18-inch tires - my test car had Michelin Pilot MXM4 235/50R18-inch all-seasons - a fully independent suspension and firm, but well-damped shocks, provide crisp handling, minimal lean in the corners, and a sporty driving feel. While the ride is comfortable, it’s a firmer ride than Buick owners may be used to. The Regal’s standard hydraulic rack and pinion steering is quick and responsive, but steering effort is a bit heavy at slow speeds - it’s not a variable assist system like that of the Regal Turbo. The Regal’s turning circle of 11.4 metres (37.4 ft.) is a bit wider than it could be for this size of car. Standard disc brakes at all four corners with ABS, and a firm pedal feel provide confident braking. Consumer Reports’ braking tests show an excellent 60 mph to 0 braking distance of 131 feet in the dry, and 145 feet in the wet.
Electronic stability control and all-speed traction control are standard in the Regal. You’d expect a mid-size, five passenger sedan with a 2738 mm (107.8 in) wheelbase to be roomy, but the Regal is not as roomy in the rear seat as it should be. Rear legroom and kneeroom is just adequate for adults and headroom is minimal for adults of above-average height; and the bucket shape of the outboard rear seats makes it more comfy for two than three passengers. For convenience, there is a centre folding armrest with two cupholders and a shallow storage bin, and for safety, there are two rear head restraints, but not three. Up front is a stylish instrument panel with wraparound piano black trim, aluminum-trimmed steering wheel, doors and shift surround, chrome-trimmed gauges and radio controls, centre information screen and pleasant blue backlighting. My only criticism is that the smooth plastic surface of the instrument panel tends to retain finger smudges.
