Not Your Grandfather’s Buick
If you haven’t looked at a Buick lately, you’re in for a surprise. Buick has a reputation as one of the auto industry’s most conservative brands, but the 2015 Regal proves that is not the case.
It may wear a name that’s familiar to Buick buyers, but this Regal is actually an Americanized version of the European Opel Insignia, bringing a bit of sportiness and a different design flair to the near-luxury segment.
So while the Regal provides a comfortable ride and cosseting interior, it can also be plenty of fun to thrash on a twisty road.
Powertrains and Performance
Whether you’re looking for something practical, sporty, or efficient, the 2015 Buick Regal has you covered with several powertrain options.
The Regal comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 259 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It’s coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and is available on Regal models with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
That combination is good for an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive,* or 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.*
Buick also offers a sporty GS model that comes with upgraded suspension, multiple driving modes, and—enthusiasts rejoice—an available six-speed manual transmission. Available only on front-wheel drive GS models, it alters fuel economy to 24 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 31 mpg highway)* and makes driving a bit more fun.
The Regal is also available with an eAssist mild-hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a small electric motor, with a combined system output of 182 hp sent to the front wheels. In this setup, the electric motor primarily acts as a power booster, and doesn’t drive the car by itself.
While not as fuel efficient as cars with more aggressive hybrid setups, the Regal eAssist does return an impressive 29 mpg combined (25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway).*
Features and Trims
The 2015 Buick Regal is available only as a four-door, five-seat sedan, with prices starting at $30,615.**
Standard equipment includes fog lamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth®, and a rearview camera, steering wheel controls, and many other features. The Premium I model adds chrome-accented door handles, rear park assist, a heated steering wheel, and other niceties.
In addition to applicable features from the base and Premium I models, the Premium II trim level includes HID headlights, a Bose® Premium sound system, and the Buick IntelliLink Radio with Navigation infotainment system that’s optional on the other two trim levels.
The top Regal trim level is the GS, which has the most equipment as well as the above-mentioned performance equipment. That includes standard HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo front brakes, as well as some aesthetic enhancements like unique front and rear fascia and dual stainless steel exhaust tips.
Design
The 2015 Buick Regal blends traditional American styling with some European flair. It’s based on the European-market Opel Insignia, and so casts a smaller shadow than the big Buick barges of old with simple, clean lines. The Buick waterfall grille compliments that look nicely, as do the GS model’s aggressive front intakes.
The interior is also cleanly designed, putting everything within easy and logical reach.
The standard three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel features redundant audio controls, and an available Driver Instrument Display puts a virtual binnacle between the speedometer and tach. The center stack can be optioned with its own touchscreen, or you can just use the standard “soft touch” buttons to turn on the air conditioning and tune the radio.
Safety
The 2015 Buick Regal comes standard with an array of active and passive safety features, including anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and front, side-impact, and curtain airbags. Rear-seat thorax airbags are optional.
Other optional features include Automatic Collision Prevention—which can apply the brakes when the car senses an imminent collision—lane departure warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and blind-spot monitoring.
Bottom Line
The 2015 Buick Regal brings the character of one of the oldest brands in the car business forward into the 21st century. Combing traditional Buick luxury with a modern European platform, it’s the best of both worlds.
Despite being on the market for a number of months now, the 2015 Buick Regal remains a popular choice for drivers looking for true luxury features and premium performance. For more information, or to test drive the 2015 Regal, contact or visit us at 3Birds Template today.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
**The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
Image: Buick
