For the 2013 model year, Buick is presenting several notable changes for the Regal midsize sedan. For starters, we already knew that the eAssist mild hybrid system is supposed to become the default powerplant, while the Regal GS is getting a standard automatic transmission, with the manual still being available free of charge.
Outside of that, the Gold Mist Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic, and Carbon Black Metallic colors will no longer be offered; in their place are Champagne Silver Metallic, Grpahite Blue Metallic, and Black Diamond Tricoat, with the latter being extended at additional charge.
As far as the interior goes, the 2013 Regal gets a heated steering wheel and the seven-inch IntelliLink touch-screen display. In addition, drivers may notice that two new steering setups are introduced, including a variable-effort power steering with reduced rack travel and a variable-effort power rack-and-pinion steering configuration. Here’s the entire list of changes:
Deletions
- (LEA) ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder engine
- (UEW) AM/FM/SiriusXM stereo with navigation, MP3 CD player, USB and AUX port, MP3/WMA playback, iPod support, 7″ color touch screen display
- (P76) Compact spare tire
- (BAH) Theft-deterrent system, immobilizer, vehicle, PASS-Key III
- (MDJ) Satin chrome window surround moldings
- (MH8) 6-speed automatic transmission
- Exterior color (GAO) Gold Mist Metallic
- Exterior color (GAP) Midnight Blue Metallic
- Exterior color (GAR) Carbon Black Metallic
New Features
- (UHQ) Audio system with navigation, AM/FM/SiriusXM stereo, single CD/DVD player and MP3 player with navigation, IntelliLink with 7″ diagonal touch-screen display
- (UVD) Heated steering wheel
- Exterior color (GLK) Black Diamond Tricoat (additional charge – premium paint)
- Exterior color (GWT) Champagne Silver Metallic
- Exterior color (GXH) Graphite Blue Metallic
- (NXC) Variable-effort power steering with reduced rack travel
- (NV7) Variable-effort power rack-and-pinion steering
Changes
- (LUK) ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder engine is now standard on 4GR69 Regal equipment groups
- (K09) 120-amp alternator, (F82) 3.23 axle ratio, (T67) 512 cold-cranking amp maintenance-free battery, (NWT) dual-outlet stainless-steel exhaust, (V33) Tool kit, (QKE) P235/50R18 V-rated all-season, blackwall tires, (Q52) 18″chrome-plated wheels, (Q56) 18″ x 8″ 13-spoke painted alloy wheels and (SED) 19″ Wheel Package, LPO are no longer available on 4GR69 Regal equipment groups
- (RAF) P235/50R17 all-season blackwall tires, (KY2) 120-amp alternator, (TM7) 438CC heavy-duty battery, (MHH) 6-speed automatic transmission, (Q05) 17″ machined alloy wheels and (WTR) Tire repair kit are now standard on 4GR69 Regal equipment groups
- (MDK) 6-speed automatic, AISIN Warner transmission is now standard on 4GJ69 Regal GS
- (MR6) 6-speed manual transmission is now available on 4GJ69 Regal GS
Comments
woot! this is the car I want to get my dad 🙂
I want a commuter car with some comfort and utility. It’s a shame that GM won’t put its fuel efficiency technology into the smaller vehicles — only midsize, such as the Regal, and larger. What this tells me is that GM wants to force buyers into its larger vehicles that supposedly have a higher profit margin. What they don’t realize is that all it’s doing is losing customers to other brands. It’s particularly disappointing for me because I would have paid a little more just to have an American made car, but GM won’t put things I think are essential into its smaller vehicles.
Consider the lack of disc brakes on the Cruze and Sonic. Why? (I just got rear-ended on my way to the airport for vacation. Stopping specs need to stay up to date with today’s crowded roads.) Is it because the profit margin would be smaller? Why not just raise the price? Can’t due to competition? Well, competitors have rear discs on their smaller mainstream models (see Mazda).
I view the lack of e-Assist on the Verano and Encore in a similar light. Consider that Lexus has a small hybrid that is also a hatchback.
This reminds me of a quote “You can please some of the people some of the time all of the people some of the time some of the people all of the time but you can never please all of the people all of the time?” I think that’s how it goes lol 🙂
Well, you can get disc brakes on the Cruze and Sonic… You just have to opt for the 2LT or higher on the Cruze, or the Sonic RS… But agreed overall.
I wasn’t aware of the disc brake option on the Cruze, so if they come out with a hatch or wagon (with roof rails), it will go onto my list, especially if it is a diesel. I was aware of the Sonic RS disc brakes. If they would not have put the “sport” gearing ratios into both the automatic and manual, the RS would be on my list. Doesn’t make sense for the kind of driving I do to have closer gearing ratios, certainly not a short first. Losing the tall 6th gear to something equivalent to 5th is to make it a five speed for me, a commuter over flat terrain.
I hear you in regards to the Sonic RS. If you don’t need it, you don’t need it. Would be nice if the LTZ had discs.
Here’s some more info about the Cruze:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/03/chevrolet-cruze-sport-tuned-suspension/
soo technicley we wont see the all new 2,5L mill. bc it can take down fords duratech 2.5L
Yeah, kinda disappointed that they didn’t update it w/the 2.5L or the new 2.0L Turbo that are both gonna be available in the 2013 Malibu. I’m really interested in what EPA mileage ratings are gonna be for these motors.
Wait just a minute. People still buy these over the Verano? Could have fooled me. The Regal is a legit awesome car but it is under advertized and too close in size and equipment to the Verano. Much like the Cruze and the new Malibu will be. No real benefit to going up a ‘size’ if there isn’t a noticeable difference. Just my .02.
There is a noticeable different in size between the Verano and Regal, as well as the Cruze and Malibu. The question is whether that’s of any importance to the market anymore…
I would like to kindly disagree with you to a point. The exterior dimensions of the Cruze are significantly smaller than the Malibu, however, their interior dimensions are rather similar. The Cruze even beats out the ‘Bu on some dimensions.
Malibu:
Passenger volume: 100 cubic ft
Front height: 39
Rear Height: 37.6
Front Leg Room: 42.1
Rear Leg Room: 36.9
Front Hip: 55.7 in
Rear Hip:55.7 in
Front Shoulder:57.5 in
Rear Shoulder: 57.1 in
Cruze:
Passenger volume: 95 cubic ft
Front height: 39.3
Rear Height: 37.9
Front Leg Room: 42.3
Rear Leg Room: 35.4
Front Hip: 53.0 in
Rear Hip:52.4 in
Front Shoulder:54.7
Rear Shoulder: 53.9 in
For the smaller size, the Cruze isn’t as far off from the Malibu as you might think. Width seems to be the biggest issue between the two. Really, though, how many people realistically stuff 3 people in the back seat of either? The Cruze has a 15 cubic ft trunk to the Malibu’s 16. I like the Malibu and such but there is nothing (save for some nice interior plastics) that attracts me to go from a cheaper car that is roughly similar in size to a vehicle that weighs more and doesn’t provide that much more benefit. The lines are getting blurred is all I am saying. I blame model bloat. A compact really isn’t a compact anymore. The Malibu made the right move downsizing, however, their packaging is not as good as I would have hoped and I feel the Cruze will take sales from it. It’s cheaper, just as nice in most respects, and gets great mileage with very little penalty for space.
The Regal does have a 2.0L turbo.
Stanto27, the Regal Turbo and Regal GS both have a 2.0L Turbo, but what most don’t know is that it’s not the same motor as the what the Malibu Turbo will have, which is all-new 2.0L turbo.
Sure looks to me like the writing is on the wall for the Regal? Minimal updates, none of the “new” engines, where are the interior updates/options that the Insignia received in 2012 MY?, shares several tired wheel designs with LaCrosse,minimal marketing/advertising,etc….
Also, as previously mentioned, the production is kept very tight on these cars. Only about 9000 built Jan.-Apr. of 2012.
The output is low due to the new strategy of not overproducing and then giving cars away with huge incentives. So that’s a good thing.
Nevertheless, the Regal is sandwiched in between the Verano and LaCrosse, and it’s a tight fit, if you will 🙂
Expect a new Regal based off new mid size model developed by P/C and Opel around 2015
If a new Regal is in, in fact, in the cards that is…
Right now, it all comes down to whether the next-gen LaCrosse will become a full-sized flagship or stay where it is in the midsize arena…
If the LaCrosse moves upmarket, then the (current and next-gen) Regal will be the midsize car; if the LaCrosse stays the way it is, then the Regal will likely go away.
Let’s not forget that the Insignia wasn’t meant to be a Buick, but rather the next-gen Saturn Aura… GM just happened to have done all the world to globalize it and didn’t want to throw away the development effort with the discontinuation of Saturn.
As the next gen Saturn Aura, this car may have been a hit? We will never know.
It would seem silly to move the LaCrosse upmarket just to make room for the Regal? The Lacrosse is perfectly positioned in size and price and continues to sell well right where it is.
With the exception of several trim level discrepancies, the LaCrosse is indeed well-positioned. But the fact remains that Buick needs a full-size flagship above the LaCrosse. The XTS would have made a perfect Buick flagship if adorned with Buick styling cues, that is… no?