Used 2017 Buick Regal

The 2017 Buick Regal sedan is really three cars in one. In its simplest form, it’s a stylish and fuel-efficient family sedan with a bit more flair and individuality than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Add all-wheel drive to the mix, and the Regal compares well against the Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 AWD. In GS form, the 2017 Buick Regal offers the power and performance to challenge the likes of such luxury makes as the Lexus IS 250, Audi A4 and Acura TLX. Performance and styling aside, where the Regal really shines is its technological offerings that include 4G LTE connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2017 Buick Regal luxury sedan offers a variety of trims and powertrain options with front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD). Enthusiasts will want the high-performance turbocharged option, although the Regal no longer offers a manual transmission. While the base model’s 2.4-liter engine with 184 horsepower is adequate for everyday driving, its fuel economy is rather dismal. If you want to keep up with traffic, it’s the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing 259 horsepower that gets our nod of approval. Standard on all but the base front-drive trim, this engine develops excellent power throughout the rev band while returning decent fuel-economy figures. While the base Regal’s suspension clearly favors comfort over curves, the GS delivers an agile and responsive performance, especially when combining Buick’s Drive Control system with the available AWD. Despite a stiffer ride, we found the GS’s quiet cabin and comfortable seats make it a good long-distance cruiser.

It’s important for a premium sedan to coddle its driver and passengers, and here the 2017 Regal family sedan scores very well. The design and materials are all first-rate, and we especially like the easily readable instruments, the available user-friendly navigation system, and the steering-wheel-mounted thumb wheel for scrolling through function menus. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integrate cell phones with IntelliLink, while Siri Eyes Free provides better integration of Apple’s voice-recognition technology. The downside is the Regal’s rear-seat headroom, with the sleek roofline meaning passengers taller than six feet will likely rub against the headliner.

Buick’s Regal for 2017 remains a classy-looking sedan, thanks in no small part to its European roots, where the same car is called an Opel Insignia. On this side of the pond it wears Buick’s signature waterfall grille, flanked by LED-enhanced headlights. The proportions are tidy, but sleek, and the low roofline helps keep the smallish Buick from looking too stubby compared to its competitors. The wheels are pushed out to the corners of the car, giving it a sporty stance, especially with the sporty GS and its standard 19-inch wheels.

2.0-LITER TURBOCHARGED 4-CYLINDER ENGINE
Buick’s midsize 2017 Regal offers a smooth and efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine big on torque and horsepower. While some may prefer a V6 or V8, we think this engine will win them over with its smooth operation, excellent power delivery and respectable fuel economy.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
All-wheel drive isn’t just about conquering snow-covered roads; it offers improved handling and cornering in all weather conditions. On the Regal, Buick’s AWD setup not only routes power from front to back, it can also distribute it from side-to-side when needed.

Buick’s midsize 2017 Regal sedan comes nicely equipped, from the base model up. There’s leather upholstery, and both the 10-way-power driver’s seat and 2-way power vertical passenger’s seat are heated. Also included are Dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch color touch screen with Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a 7-speaker audio system with USB port. On the remaining trims, a 259-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine sends power to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission (with tap-up/tap-down shifting). Active safety features include GM’s StabiliTrak stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist.

The most noteworthy stand-alone option available across the 2017 Buick Regal lineup is all-wheel drive. Otherwise, options are grouped into packages. The Sport Touring adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler and dual exhaust outlets, while the Premium II package nets keyless entry and push-button start, Bose audio, HID headlights, navigation and a heated steering wheel. Other options include a power sunroof, 18- and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (20-inchers on the GS) and a 120-volt outlet. GS and Premium II offer adaptive cruise control and collision-mitigation braking, along with blind-spot, lane-departure and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Standard power for Buick’s midsize 2017 Regal sedan comes from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine available only on the base front-wheel-drive trim. All other Regal trims get a smooth and refined 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard for all Regal models, regardless of engine, while AWD is optional on the Regal, Premium II and GS.

2.4-liter inline-4 (Regal, FWD)
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/30 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Sport Touring, Regal AWD Premium II)
259 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (FWD), 19/27 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GS)
259 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (FWD), 19/27 mpg (AWD)

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.