2011 Buick Regal - Review

Unlike the Buicks of old--or the Buicks of old people, the 2011 Buick Regal is a completely modern, thoroughly refined, and smaller than a Nimitz-class air craft carrier. It's also one of the best sedans in the entry-level luxury class, and that's why MotorAuthority rates it a 7.

You won't find any brawny V-8s under the hood of the Regal, nor will you find rear-wheel drive. Instead, you get a simple 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 182 horsepower and good for 20/30 mpg city/highway--in base trim. The Regal Turbo kicks things up a notch, extracting 220 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. When paired with the optional manual (A Buick with a manual! Yes, it's true.) transmission, it's fun, if not quite thrilling, to drive. A six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is also available.

Handling is very good for the comfort level of the ride. Damping is firm, helping to keep the car composed whether it's grinding out the miles between home and work or cruising down a twisted strip of asphalt. The European roots of the Regal show through here--there's not even a hint of the floaty, disconnected feeling Buick used to be known for. That said, it's not a sport sedan, even with the turbo engine and the six-speed manual. Body roll, somewhat vague steering, and a hefty curb weight conspire to put limits on the Regal's ultimate performance.

Inside the Regal, you'll find more of those Euro roots showing through. Dynamic curves and flowing surfaces pair with materials that look and feel good. The Regal isn't going to match the best the Germans have to offer, but it will hang with their similarly-priced offerings.

If you're looking for space, the Regal isn't the ideal choice, either. The rear seat is tight, almost compact-sedan sized, though the front seats will accommodate most body types in comfort.

Given the attractive pricing, relatively good fuel economy, unique style, and overall appeal, however, the Regal is a solid offering and a step in the right direction for Buick.

For an exhaustive look at the 2011 Buick Regals performance, styling, comfort, quality, safety and features, read the full review at TheCarConnection.