The Regal GS sedan has a sleek profile, with excellent performance designed to give you a real pleasant drive.
It starts with the engine. The 3.6 L V6 with standard nine-speed automatic transmission delivers 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for a 22 mpg combined.
Also standard on the GS trim is intelligent all-wheel drive with active twin clutch, which sends power to the wheels with the most grip. Regardless of whether the roads are or wet, like tonight in Texas, the Regal handles beautifully. The responsive cornering adds to the acceleration and fun. The five-link rear suspension helps provide the agile handling and smooth ride. And not to forget the joyous 310 horsepower, which definitely helps.
Outside, the Regal has a whole aggressive style. The sport mesh grille with piano-black and brushed satin finish at the front, and the dual exhaust together with LED-accented tail lamps at the back add to its personality.
Inside the cabin, all the information is front and center. The driver’s heated seat is comfortable, while the 8-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster presents information the way you tell it, and is easy to understand. The seating surface materials are not only comfortable but also demonstrates craftsmanship. The steering column is tilt and telescopic.
Inside the 2018 Regal GS. (Courtesy of GM/Buick)The 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system includes one USB port and two rear charging-only ports. Also available are Bluetooth audio streaming and smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Regal’s Rear Vision Camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Active Noise Cancellation are all standard.
Whether its passenger room or cargo space, Regal meets the need. There is 60.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. And available 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats give you great flexibility.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $39,070. A Driver Confidence Package adds an additional $945 to the overall price. This package features more than a dozen items. Included are Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Front Pedestrian Braking.
OnStar is another standard safety feature with the Regal. Even though it is a paid subscription service, you will have help available 24/7. Whether it’s asking for directions, requesting road service, or reporting a car theft or car crash, OnStar is just a reach away. Some of the services are automatic, like car crash response.
Regal sits a little higher than some sedans, which I liked. However, there must be considerable improvement in miles per gallon. Also, the transmission shifter is too close to the lower console that houses the cabin temperature, making it awkward when using either one.
Warranty
4-year/50,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty
6-year/70,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
6-year/unlimited-mile Rust-Through Warranty
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or at dcaussey@sbcglobal.net.
