Remember the 1990s, when car buyers collectively agreed that station wagons were uncool and bought minivans instead? How about just a few years ago, when car buyers collectively agreed minivans were uncool and bought crossovers instead?
Perhaps things are coming full-circle now, as Buick has taken the wraps off its next-generation Regal. Based on the Opel Insignia, the Regal is Buick’s midsize sedan staple. But now with the 2018 model, the sedan is no more.
Instead, the Regal is now available in two body styles, at least for the U.S. – the Regal Sportback, a sedan-styled five-door hatchback, and the Regal TourX, a very pretty lifted wagon with crossover bodywork. Sadly, the TourX won’t be sold in the Canadian market. For now, at least, we’ll have to make do with the Regal Sportback.
2018 Buick Regal Sportback
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-four, available in two flavours. On AWD models, the turbo-four is rated at 250 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, and hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Regal Sportback is also available in front-drive form, but you take a torque hit – horsepower remains at 250, but torque is rated at 260 lb.-ft. Instead of the eight-speed automatic, FWD models get a nine-speed transmission.
On the outside, the Regal TourX is 8.6 centimetres longer and 1.5 centimetres taller than the Sportback. Inside, that translates to 2,080 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.
Despite Buick’s CUVs handily outsell its cars, buyers would hopefully see the light, and the Regal Sportback and TourX will turn things around. We’ll bring you full details on the new Regal lineup next week live from the New York Auto Show.
