Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
GS 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred II 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Essence 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred II 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Essence 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
GS 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Overall Rating
The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback is a fine car, but it is easily overshadowed by a lot of other cars. It is a sedan, look closer and you’d discover that this actually is a hatchback too.
The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback is a fine car, but it is easily overshadowed by a lot of other cars. It is a sedan, look closer and you'd discover that this actually is a hatchback too. This is quite interesting, but is it enough to sway you towards this car? There are plenty of SUVs (Crossovers, actually) in the market right now, slowly making their way into every American driveway. These crossover SUVs are spacious, practical, and honestly, quite good looking too. Does the Regal have what it takes to catch the fancy of young buyers?
The base trim has everything you need in a budget executive sedan, and we recommend you go for it. That said, the 3.6 V6 is a real heart stealer if you love to drive yourself to the nearest racetrack every once in a while.
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
GS 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Preferred 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred II 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Preferred II 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback is a fine car, but it is easily overshadowed by a lot of other cars. It is a sedan, look closer and you’d discover that this actually is a hatchback too.
The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback is a fine car, but it is easily overshadowed by a lot of other cars. It is a sedan, look closer and you'd discover that this actually is a hatchback too. This is quite interesting, but is it enough to sway you towards this car? There are plenty of SUVs (Crossovers, actually) in the market right now, slowly making their way into every American driveway. These crossover SUVs are spacious, practical, and honestly, quite good looking too. Does the Regal have what it takes to catch the fancy of young buyers?
The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback features 6 trims, with varying features list on each. The Regal, Preferred, Preferred-II, Essence, and Avenir trims feature a front-wheel-drive setup. The Preferred-II, Essence, and GS trim feature all-wheel drive.
Trim |
Base |
Preferred |
Preferred-II |
Essence |
Avenir |
GS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP (FWD) |
$25,995 |
$28,595 |
$32,695 |
$34,795 |
$36,195 |
- |
MSRP (AWD) |
- |
- |
$33,090 |
$35,190 |
- |
$39,995 |
Engine |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
3.6L V6 |
Key Features |
9-speed auto with Manual |
Same features as 'Base' but with the following additions or replacements |
Same features as 'Preferred' but with the following additions or replacements |
Same features as 'Preferred-II' but with the following additions or replacements |
Same features as 'Essence' but with the following additions or replacements |
Same features as 'Avenir' but with the following additions or replacements |
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat |
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel |
40/20/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat |
Leather-Appointed Front and Rear Seats |
Quilt-Stitched Leather-Appointed Seats |
3.6L V6 Engine |
|
Quiet Tuning Technology |
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror |
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Controls |
Heated Driver and Front-Passenger Seats |
3-Dimensional Grille, Black Ice Finish |
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with Active Twin Clutch |
|
Rear Vision Camera |
Eight-Way Power Driver Seat with Two-Way Lumbar |
Heated, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel |
8-Way Power Passenger Seat with 2-Way Power Lumbar |
19" Aluminum Wheels, Pearl Nickel Finish |
19" Cast Aluminum Wheels with Technical Gray Gloss Finish |
|
Halogen Headlamps with LED Signature Daytime Running Lamps |
N/A |
18" Machined-Face Aluminum Wheels with Painted Pockets |
N/A |
Driver Confidence Package and Sights and Sounds Package |
High-Performance Heated, Ventilated Bucket Seats with Massage, Integrated Head Restraints, and Power-Adjustable Bolsters |
|
Buick Infotainment System with 7" diagonal color touch screen |
N/A |
Fog Lamps |
N/A |
LED Cornering Headlamps w/Auto Leveling |
Brembo Front Brakes |
|
Teen Driver Technology |
N/A |
Buick Infotainment System with 8" diagonal color touch screen |
N/A |
N/A |
Rear Decklid Spoiler, Air Dams, Ground Effects, and Pass-Through Exhaust |
|
Keyless Start, push-button |
N/A |
Sport Seats with Leatherette Bolsters and Cloth Inserts |
N/A |
N/A |
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert† |
|
Engine control, stop-start system |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Front and Rear Park Assist |
We Recommend
The base trim has everything you need in a budget executive sedan, and we recommend you go for it. That said, the 3.6 V6 is a real heart stealer if you love to drive yourself to the nearest racetrack every once in a while.
The job description for an engine includes only two main attributes, producing a fine amount of power and sound. Buick's turbocharged engine does one of these wonderfully and manages to not disappoint with the other criteria. Can you guess which is which?
Transmission duties are handled by a slow but smooth 9-speed automatic. You could command the gear changes yourself with the gear stick (no flappy paddles sadly). Upshifts happen relatively quickly, but downshifts are extremely disappointing.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$25,995 |
$22,090 |
$23,720 |
$22,900 |
$22,840 |
$23,845 |
$22,300 |
Engine |
2.0L Inline-4 |
1.5L I-4 Turbocharged |
1.5L Inline-4 |
2.4L I-4 |
2.5L I-4 |
2.5l I-4 |
2.4L Inline-4 |
Transmission |
9-speed automatic |
CVT |
CVT |
6-speed automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
8-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC |
Horsepower |
250 @ 5400 rpm |
160hp @ 5700 rpm |
192hp @ 5500 rpm |
185hp @ 6000 rpm |
175hp @ 6000 rpm |
203 hp @ 6600 rpm |
185 @ 6000 rpm |
Torque |
260 @ 2000-5200 rpm |
184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm |
192 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm |
178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm |
175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
184 lb.-ft @ 5000 rpm |
178 @ 4000 rpm |
The 2019 model isn't mechanically different from the 2018 Regal Sportback, which is why you could consider the performance figures from the previous models to be carried forward. With an educated guess, the Regal could be expected to perform better than similarly specced cars. Final judgment after the figures get tested though.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH (sec) |
6.2 |
8.5 |
7.6 |
6.8 |
8.9 |
7.5 |
8.5 |
Quarter mile (sec) |
N/A |
16.0 |
15.9 |
15.2 |
15.2 |
15.9 |
16.4 |
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
7.4 |
5.9 |
5.3 |
6.1 |
7.1 |
- |
2.4L |
Curb Weight (lb.) |
3748 |
3126 |
3131 |
3411 |
3431 |
3241 |
3247 |
The brakes on the Regal are a full disc set up for the front and rear and are strong with a great pedal feel. They inspire confidence under hard braking and cornering, only offset by the sedan's reluctance to downshift in immediacy. Still, it has quite an adequate responsiveness for city commutes.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
N/A |
11.8 |
11.5 |
12 |
11.8 |
12 |
12 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
N/A |
11.3 |
11.1 |
11.2 |
11.9 |
11 |
11.2 |
70-0 MPH (ft.) |
162 |
113(60-0) |
163 |
124(60-0) |
122(60-0) |
122 (60-0 MPH) |
TBD |
As a simple city car, the Buick offers a very plush suspension setup, one that favors ride quality over handling prowess. That isn't to say the handling is compromised. No sir, that is far from the truth. The Regal handles like a dream, primarily due to its low center of gravity.
Although the car behaves its best under city speed limits, you could definitely enjoy taking it for a spin on the highways. It does wallow a little, and there is a little body roll, but it's so well controlled that it seems like there isn't. You can keep the driver as well as the passengers happy with this one.
Turbocharging an engine has many benefits. The primary benefit is power, the secondary, efficiency. We've already established how great the power is. The efficiency figures are great too, although not segment-leading. Even with spirited driving, you could easily pull up to 22 MPG, and if driven carefully, you could ride for upwards of 30 miles.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
22 |
TBD |
30 |
24 |
21 |
29 |
26 |
MPG (highway) |
32 |
TBD |
38 |
33 |
32 |
41 |
35 |
MPG (combined) |
26 |
TBD |
33 |
27 |
25 |
34 |
29 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.) |
16.3 |
15.8 |
14.8 |
18.5 |
16.5 |
14.5 |
18.5 |
Interiors are one of the strongest suits of this sedan, with dual-tone interiors that give the cabin a roomy and airy feel. The dash is premium, and there are faux wood panels around the gear lever. The optional leather seats with white stitching are simply brilliant, and the heated steering wheel adds even more value to this premium sedan.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
39.6/55.5/41.5 |
40.1/58.5/45.3 |
39.5/58.3/42.3 |
39.8/58.1/45.5 |
39.2/57.8/44.3 |
38.3/57.7/42.1 |
40.4/ 57.9/ 45.5 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.8/54.5/34.6 |
37.5/57.1/38.1 |
37.3/56.5/40.4 |
37.8/56.4/35.6 |
37.8/56.9/38.3 |
38/55.7/38 |
38.0/56.5/ 35.6 |
The space in the trunk wouldn't blow you away until you fold the seats down. The base trim gets standard 60:40 split-folding seats and trims higher than Preferred-II get 40:20:40 split seats. Even without that, the hatchback tail lends more room to the trunk than a traditional sedan, which is one of the biggest advantages here.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Capacity (lb.) |
19.2 |
15.8 |
16.7 |
15.9 |
16 |
14.1 |
16.3 |
There aren't many things to complain about in terms of the Regal's exterior. Its inches towards the top of the segment in terms of real estate it occupies. It is also quite heavy, with the base model claiming just under 1.9 tons.
Models |
2019 Buick Regal Sportback |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu |
2019 Honda Accord |
2019 Kia Optima |
2019 Ford Fusion |
2019 Toyota Camry |
2019 Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lb.) |
3748 |
3126 |
3131 |
3219 |
3411 |
3241 |
3247 |
Length(in) |
192.9 |
193.8 |
192.2 |
191.1 |
191.7 |
192.1 |
191.1 |
Width(in) |
73.3 |
73 |
73.3 |
73.2 |
75.6 |
72.4 |
73.4 |
Height(in) |
57.3 |
57.6 |
57.1 |
57.7 |
58.1 |
56.9 |
58.1 |
Ground clearance (in) |
N/A |
TBD |
5.3 |
5.7 |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wheelbase (in) |
111.4 |
111.4 |
111.4 |
110.4 |
112.1 |
111.2 |
110.4 |
The 2019 model has the same styling and design as the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback, with minimal changes. The sleek headlamps are pretty and the front grille features the Buick logo in the middle and two chrome stripes running outwards on the sides.
The hatchback-style trunk offers immense practicality. You get 17-inch wheels as standard, with two 18-inch options available. The top GS trim has beautiful 19-inch wheels, which perfectly complement its additional power.
The 2019 Model comes loaded with plenty of safety features as well, the most important of which are listed below:
NHTSA and IIHS Ratings are Unavailable
Honda Accord used to be an almost perfect vehicle. It has now lost its V6 stick shift version, which hurts a lot, but the inline-4 isn't bad either. The Accord has a well-built cabin, just like the Regal, along with a similar Sportback silhouette. The visual appeal is quite different though. The Honda tries to be a very 'futuristic-modern' type of car, while the Buick is a very classy design.
The Accord has a little more space on the inside, but the Regal trumps it with its premium feel. Other than that, these are pretty similar cars, although the Regal inches ahead in terms of performance while the Accord wins in the fuel economy department. In the parameters that matter, the Regal is a better choice.
How does the best selling global sedan fare against the Buick? Well, the easy way to understand it would be this; the Toyota Camry is very similar to the Honda Accord, only not as good. Surprising? Yes! It's weird to see that the Camry offers slightly less space, power, and gas mileage than the Accord. Personally, the Buick is still the better pick of these two, unless you really want to save yourself a little gas money.
As Buick and Chevrolet are both owned by GM, it shouldn't be surprising to know that both the Regal Sportback and the Malibu share the same platform. The biggest difference is their market placement; the Buick is placed at the premium end. The top trim of the Chevy Malibu is powered by the same turbo inline-4 motor that comes standard on the base level Regal.
The Top trim Regal, however, is a whole other story. Due to its smaller engine, the Malibu is more economical to drive. It also has slightly more interior space, which is a little surprising. The Malibu is also a sweet looking car, although the Buick simply takes the cake there.
Apart from its lovely handling and relative higher luxury, at a relatively affordable price. It is also quite a pretty car, which is a bonus. But in this budget-conscious segment, you have a few other options that might make more sense to you. Ford Fusion is cheaper and better to drive, Chevrolet Malibu is cheaper and better value, and the Honda Accord is cheaper and more spacious. If any of these qualities outweigh the price of having a Buick insignia on the hood of your car, then go for it.