2011 Buick Regal

The Buick Regal comes in two models, each with its own direct-injected four-cylinder engine. The Regal CXL (Base MSRP: $26,245) is powered by a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, matched to a six-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature. The Regal CXL Turbo (Base MSRP: $28,745) bumps the horsepower rating up to 220 with its 2-liter four-cylinder. The standard transmission for the Turbo is also a six-speed automatic with a manual tap-shift, but it can also be ordered with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. Both Buick Regal sedans are well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, OnStar, Bluetooth and a seven-speaker stereo with USB port, CD and satellite radio. In addition to the turbocharged engine, the CXL Turbo adds variable-speed steering, rear parking sensors, power passenger seat and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

With a six-speed automatic, the base engine delivers an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 19 mpg city/30 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, while the 2-liter turbo with the automatic drops to 18 city/28 highway/22 combined. The most fuel efficient Buick Regal is the CXL Turbo with the available six-speed manual: 20 mpg city/32 mpg highway/24 mpg combined. The Regal Turbo is also E85 Ethanol-compatible. On the biofuel, fuel economy drops substantially: 13 city/21 highway/16 combined with the automatic and 15 city/22 highway/17 combined with the six-speed stick. 

An alternative to Acura, Lexus?

Many reviewers laud the Regal as being one of the best Buicks in years. After driving the Regal CXL Turbo, The Wall Street Journal's Dan Neil "came away deeply impressed, if not quite panting with desire." He calls the interior "excellent," with seats that are "comfortable, supportive and well contoured." The sound insulation is good, he says, and the exterior styling is "competent and substantial, with the kind of sporty visual amplitude you'd expect of an Autobahn-bred car." He adds, "And, best of all, the car handles like a European sport sedan. Think, not BMW, but perhaps Peugeot or Renault."

None of the reviews go as far as to recommend the Regal over the highly rated 2011 BMW 328i sedan (Base MSRP: $33,650), but some say it's a good alternative to the higher priced 2011 Acura TSX (Base MSRP: $29,610 to $35,150). Reviewers also say that a well-equipped Regal holds its own against other more expensive near-luxury sedans such as the 2011 Lexus ES 350 (Base MSRP: $36,025) and front-wheel-drive 2011 Audi A4 (Base MSRP $31,950 to $32,850). After driving the CXL Turbo on the NŸrburgring track in Germany, Motor Trend editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie calls the 2-liter "easily the best four-cylinder motor yet from GM." He adds, "You can't help but think a V-6 in this car would simply be a waste of money and gas, and the extra mass over the front axle would probably ruin the chassis balance."

In addition to well-planted handling, the new Buick sedan's ride is comfortable and quiet. "The terrific handling doesn't compromise ride quality," says Cars.com's David Thomas. "On various surfaces, the Regal exhibited little road noise, with none of the floaty ride I found in the redesigned [Buick] LaCrosse."

Base engine leaves reviewers wanting

However, in a three-car comparison test conducted by Car and Driver, the Regal CXL Turbo finishes in last place behind the 2011 Acura TSX and the 2011 Volkswagen CC (Base MSRP: $28,200 to $39,990). The CC has the least power of the group, but was much faster than the Regal and only 0.4 seconds behind the V6-powered TSX to 60 mph. On the track, the turbo Regal required 7.5 seconds in the 0 to 60 dash, while the 200-horsepower turbo CC reached the same speed in 6.4 seconds. Car and Driver editor John Phillips says the Regal fails to establish "a visceral relationship with its driver" like some other sporty cars do. He also objects to the "grittiness" in the engine, adding, "At any speed, this engine announces way too proudly that it's a four-banger." 

The naturally aspirated Regal CXL is expectedly slower than the turbo model. Edmunds Inside Line clocks it at 9.8 seconds to 60 mph. Senior editor Erin Riches says, "Well, surprisingly and sadly, you can go wrong with the base engine, as this 2011 Buick Regal CXL is the slowest 182-hp car we've ever tested." She says the six-speed automatic transmission is not to blame with its "smooth, crisp upshifts at 6,500 rpm." Rather she claims, "Curb weight is a likely source of the slow, as the Regal weighs in at 3,665 pounds."

Quality interior, but busy controls

Most reviews are impressed with the Buick's perceived quality, especially in the cabin. Edmunds.com's John DiPietro says, "Those with a discerning eye toward cabin materials and overall fit and finish should be pleased, as our test car displayed solid build quality all around."

The layout of some of the controls gets some criticism, however. Autoblog.com's Jeff Sabatini explains, "While the layout of the Regal's dashboard 'button field' is nicely symmetric, there's neither rhyme nor reason to the layout." The optional navigation system is not a touch screen. A perplexed Sabatini says, "At times, the system requires the driver to press a numbered button to make a selection on the screen, despite the presence of both a second rotary controller and a four-axis joystick on the center stack."

The trunk holds 14.2 cubic feet of cargo, and the split rear seats fold down for additional utility. The backseat is "surprisingly spacious in legroom," David Thomas says. "It has 3 more inches of it than the TSX, and it's noticeable." However, headroom is a bit tighter than the Acura, he adds.

Encouraging safety ratings for the Buick Regal

The Regal comes with six airbags including front and rear side-curtain airbags. Additional rear seat-mounted, side-impact airbags are optional. Antilock brakes and electronic stability control are standard as well. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names the 2011 Buick Regal a Top Safety Pick, meaning it scored the highest rating of Good in both front and side crash tests, as well as the organization's roof-crush test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet crash-tested the 2011 Buick Regal sedan.

More Buick Regal models on the way this year

A hotter, range-topping Buick Regal GS with a 255-horsepower version of the 2-liter turbo engine is set to debut this later in 2011 as a 2012 model. It'll be joined by the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist, which adds a 15-horsepower electric motor to the 2.4-liter base powertrain. The electric motor provides assistance during acceleration, and the eAssist system also adds regenerative braking and start/stop tech. These measures are expected to boost the Regal eAssist's fuel economy ratings to 26 mpg city/37 mpg highway. If the eAssist system's parts and benefits sound familiar, it's because General Motors used to market its earlier iteration as a Hybrid on sedans like the Chevy Malibu and the now-defunct Saturn Aura.

Finding the best 2011 Buick Regal reviews

Car and Driver conducts a thorough three-car comparison test with the Regal against the Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC. Among the most comprehensive single-car reviews are those from Cars.com, Edmunds Inside Line, Autoblog.com and The New York Times. Additional useful information and opinions can be found at USA Today, Automobile Magazine and CNET, which places additional emphasis on the vehicle's in-cabin technology.