Used 2018 Buick Regal for sale 

The 2018 Regal with standard front-wheel-drive comes in four trims with the same standard 2L turbocharged engine and 9-speed automatic powertrain while the AWD version is available with an 8-speed automatic drivetrain configuration. However, every trim has different sets of additional features that can be further customized.

The base 1SV variant is packed with a 2-liter inline-4 cylinder turbocharged engine to produce a maximum power of 250 hp. The Preferred-1 is a level-up with a few additional standard features like a multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

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Although, the Preferred-1 provides enough power and comfort to satisfy you while the Preferred-2 opens the door to more options and packages over the basic model. While choosing the trim, it totally depends on your preference but the Sights and Sound Package and Driver Confidence package is a must-have for experiencing easier drivability and immersive sound quality. The all-wheel-drive is only recommended for colder regions and if you are willing to part with a few numbers from the efficiency.

Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Buick Regal is powered by a 2-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine which produces a maximum power of 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission for the standard version and 8-speed automatic transmission for the AWD. The driving feel is responsive and easy to handle as the outgoing model, though the steering has been toned down a bit.

Despite using a bigger 2.5-liter engine, the older brother Lacrosse is miles behind the 2018 Regal. The Sportback provides best-in-class power and torque married with the 9-speed automatic transmission which gives it an edge over the 6-speed automatic gearbox sported by most cars in the segment. The suspension is well appointed and can give a comfortable ride in the rear seats, though it rises a bit higher which affects cornering stability.

The larger and more expensive Lacrosse features a naturally aspirated engine that can't quite match the performance of the well-tuned turbo inline-4 on the Regal. The CVT gearbox on the Honda Accord gives a comfortable acceleration and a well-poised ride, though it lacks the responsiveness the Regal's 9-speed automatic gives. The Lincoln MKZ is a worthy competitor for the Regal, and has almost identical performance, though the older 6-speed gearbox is a letdown.

Acceleration

The torque from the motor is tuned to engage at super low rpm, which with the 8-speed gearbox give the car almost a seamless linear acceleration. The throttle response is quick and the transmission is willing to push the car forward instantaneously. The beast pulls up from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 sec which is way faster than the second-fastest Lincoln MKZ. The reason behind this snappy acceleration is its new high-strength aluminum chassis which is 200 pounds lighter than the previous Regal model.

Honda Accord barely makes it to the competition with a laggy figure of 7.6 sec. While none of its competitors can go faster than 7 seconds. The Lincoln MKZ comes close, but it is bogged down by the older transmission. The 2018 Buick Regal is exceptionally well designed and truly offers some great bang for the buck.

Ride and Handling

The Buick Regal is a luxury tourer with General Motors delegating most of the sportiness for the Cadillac ATS. The newer steering isn't as quick as the outgoing variant, but it is quite precise and responsive. The dynamics of the car make it perfectly capable of handling smaller turns and even spirited driving. The all-wheel-drive can send 50% of the torque to the rear wheels which can be alternated between each wheel for added grip. Though the drive is generally sent to the front wheels.

The rear seats are exceptionally quiet and even offer a great road-bump-soaking ride quality. The engine noises are well muted and the added active noise cancellation make it a brilliant family car. The transition works highly reliably and shifts linearly which gives the car a reliable output whenever you test the throttle. There is even a standard start-stop system, which seamlessly and reliable offers an instantaneous response.

Braking

The Buick Regal 2018 is new to the market and as such yet to be tested in terms of braking. Though the new aluminium-intensive frame is sure to perform much better as the chassis has become lighter. The brakes engage as expected from the previous generation model, and while they are nothing sporty or bitey, they have a highly reliable operation. 

The Buick Regal is lighter than almost all cars on the lineup with the exception of the Honda Accord. As such we expect it to stop short of 110 feet in braking. this makes a highly controllable car on the road. Further, the ESP and the ABS work seamlessly i modern Buick cars giving the Regal unparalleled control.

The Buick Regal with its turbocharged motor is attuned for performance rather than efficiency. The gearbox which is highly responsive doesn't do well for mileage figures. The regal has a combined efficiency of 26 miles per gallon. While on highways it can go as high as 32 mpg, and conversely 22 mpg in cities. The 16.3-gallon fuel tank it has gives it a range of around 400 miles.

The 2018 Buick Regal doesn't offer much in terms of efficiency and ranks at the lower end of its segment. The Honda Accord with its CVT gearbox is in a league of its own with close to 500 miles of range on a full tank, even though the tank is smaller than all the other cars. The Buick Lacrosse with its NA engine also fares better in mileage.

Seating and comfort

The interior of the 2018 Buick Regal is just good, yes that’s it. The leather upholstery and dual-colored theme give it a fresh feel but only until you notice the plastic at some places which just rains over the parade. The seats are very comfortable and undoubtedly best in class and promise cozy long rides. As stated earlier, the cabin is very quiet and is well-tuned to keep the engine sound at its least. Overall the ergonomics of the interiors are well made and easy to use, though the styling and the switches seem a bit old.

The 2018 Regal leads the segment in headroom and the credit goes to its coupe-like styling. The Sportback has a larger wheelbase than its primitive but is smaller as compared to its competitors which drags it down in the points table when it comes to legroom. However, it’s still ample and comfortable enough for an average tall person. The headroom though is followed by a distinct bump in the roofline which can bang into the heads of rear-seat passengers.

Cargo Volume

We can’t stop emphasizing how amazing the cargo space of the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback is. Even with the seats at their place, it offers a segment-topping trunk space of a 31.5 ft cube, which is already more than some crossovers. This is thanks to the hatchback rear, which also offers great access to the boot. But when seats are folded, magic happens and this Sportback gives you a humongous space of 60.7 ft cube which is just short of what an SUV offers.

The Regal’s cargo volume is quite segmented topping with both seats open and folded. However, the 40/20/40 rear split-folding seats are only available in Preferred-I trim or higher, while the rest of the trims have a 60/40 folding seat. But, with the cavernous opening of the 2018 Regal which is the result of the roof-reaching rear hinges, loading, and unloading of heavy luggage won’t be much of a problem even in the base 1SV variant. Quite frankly the Buick Regale offers much more utility than a sedan can, and almost more than some large hatchbacks.

Infotainment System

The 2018 Buick Regal comes loaded with a 7-inch infotainment screen integrated with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a wireless Qi charging station, and a stock sound system. There is even a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen offered for the Preferred-1 and above. With the base package, the system isn’t anything special and far behind from its competitors but it can be upgraded with the Sights and Sounds package, which includes a more high-tech 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, navigation, and Bose audio system for $1945. Some features in the interior are:

• OnStar 4G LTE with WiFi
• OnStar Navigation
• 7-Speaker basic Audio
• 4.2-inc digital driver's information display
• Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Ambient interior lighting

Dimensions and Weight

The 2018 Buick Regal drops almost everything that was established by the predecessors and returns with a bang flaunting that European hatchback avatar. It is offered as either a hatchback or a wagon. The hatchback is called the Sportback for its rear that hinges the roof to open the cavernous boot. The front face poses a low-stance with Halogen headlamps and chrome grills which give it an aggressive look. The windows are bordered with chrome strips that run till the rear end and offer a premium look on a whole.

The Sportback's design is similar to the profiles of hte Nissan Altima or the Honda Accord. The newly updated front looks attractive and clean, with air inlets at the bottom corners while higher models also offering fog lights. The rear is also simple with a LED taillight and an integrated spoiler on the rear decklid. The wheels are offered on lower trims in 17-inch as standard, while higher trims get 18-inch wheels. There are even optional 19-inch wheels available.

The 2018 Buick Regal is pretty high at 57.3 m which gives it a coupe look and also provides ample headroom in the cabin. The sedan is around 200 pounds lighter than its older sibling due to its aluminum chassis which makes it stiffer, stronger and also provides top-notch acceleration and handling. The three inches larger wheelbase pulls the car up and offers much more legroom than its older sibling.

Exterior Features

• LED daytime running headlights
• Parking sensors
• 17 inches wheels
• Keyless entry
• Rear decklid spoiler
• European hatchback-style roofline
• "Avenir" concept based front grille

The 2018 Buick Regale features a redesigned aluminium frame which is sure to be much better at safety and resilience. The car features a wide variety of safety features and tech, although most of them are only available on the top trims. Standard safety features include dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, dual front knee airbags and also an Active Safety hood. Some of the standout safety features in the car are:

• StabiliTrak, stability control system with Traction Control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Active lane-keeping assist
• Lane departure warning
• Active Safety Hood

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback hasn’t been crash-tested yet and hence, IIHS and NHTSA rating aren’t available. However, it may be noted that the 2018 Regal sees the essential safety features only with add-on packages or on higher trims which could have been included in all the trims with little adjustment in the cost.

Lincoln MKZ vs Buick Regal 
The Lincoln MKZ comes with a similar 2-liter engine as that of Buick but lags behind in power and torque ratings. The Lincoln offers a hybrid variant and has an extremely plush interior, much better than Buick but the latter one-ups the MKZ in performance, cargo space and acceleration and thus acquiring a better rating even after being 10 grand cheaper than the Lincoln.

Buick Lacrosse vs Buick Regal
The older crossover sibling of the Sportback packs a bigger and better engine than its younger brother but still lacks the punch in performance and acceleration due to its heavier body and crossover characteristics. The 8-speed drivetrain of Regal offers better drivability than the Lacrosse and hence proves to be a better alternative at a lesser cost.

Honda Accord vs Buick Regal 
The Honda Accord struggles to compete with the Buick Regal with it's tiny 1.5-litre engine and CTV powertrain. The car undoubtedly fails to pose a threat to the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback as a result of its low performance, average drivability and mediocre cargo space. However, the Honda manages to muster some lost ground with its great Build Quality, Seating Space and its reliability.

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback seems to be a balanced car with less fancy and more essentials. The car offers unmatched performance and handling in the midrange hatchback segment at a relatively lower cost. However, the Sportback has a lot to be upgraded with add-ons which also include the safety features which a point where you might think about going with this one. You might go with the 1SV if you want a powerful car that is all work and no play but if you want an all-rounder, the Preferred-II and the more exclusive Essence variants are custom-stitched just for you.