2014 Buick Regal, Regal GS: Driven
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The Buick Regal stands as one of the most approachable sport sedans on the market. And in Regal GS form, it possesses maneuverability characteristics of what can only be described as comparable, and in some cases better, than coveted European sport sedans. Yet when one purchases such a vehicle from the Old World, they also tend to emanate the aura of general hive-minded douchiness, regardless of how well they handle. The Regal is cursed with no such stereotype, and is a perfect sedan for those who appreciate a decent driver’s car while managing to stay under the radar. Having the Buick emblem in front of its waterfall grille helps in that regard.
Buick’s marketing has also done a good job with not presenting the brand as another blue-blooded luxury nameplate, helping the Regal maintain the welcoming persona shared with the rest of the family, while remaining the distinct athlete of the portfolio, despite not being a sales champion. Though for the 2014 model year, the Regal rejuvenates itself with sleeker looks, a more refined interior, a power upgrade for the Turbo model, and all-wheel-drive for the GS model, coupled with re-tuned suspension work to optimize handling.
Do all of these sub-components come together in a desirable way? In short, yes.
Two things really play in the 2014 Regal family’s favor. One: it handles beyond the casual paces of what 99% of Buick drivers will put it through. And second, it has the best HMI setup of any GM product we’ve tested so far. There seems to be a perfect amount of buttons to go with the touch screen, which are far easier to adjust while driving than anything requiring a tap or swipe. And because tablets aren’t meant to be operated while driving, center consoles in modern cars shouldn’t be designed after them. So we commend Buick’s designers and engineers for not going that route.
As for the handling. While the base 2014 Buick Regal did well for a FWD midsize sedan in the bends of Kentucky’s mountains, the 2014 Regal GS is downright crisp, and one hell of a sleeper sedan for those looking to outrun most other FWD-based sedans in a winding road. Add the available all-wheel drive to the mix, and the 2014 Regal GS provides even greater cornering abilities and an electronic limited slip differential, though there is the compromise in weight. As for those who wonder why the more powerful, 325 hp, 321 lb-ft 2.8L turbo V6 from the Opel Insignia OPC didn’t make its way stateside into its American counterpart, I’ll tell you. The 2.8L turbo is not the good of an engine, speaking from experience when it was briefly in the Cadillac SRX. Power delivery is smoother with the turbo-four, and the fuel economy numbers aren’t dismal, either, at 21 mpg city and 31 highway with the FWD version with the six-speed manual transmission. And no, the stick isn’t available with AWD.
For those in the market for such a sport sedan, the 2014 Buick Regal begins at $30,615 plus destination for the Leather Package. The Premium I package comes in at $32,585 which offers either the 2.0L turbo or the unchanged eAssist powertrain. The 2014 GS model starts at $37,830, which is close to that of a mid-range trim Audi A4, the vehicle that GM benchmarked for the Regal GS. With that in mind, the Buick Regal GS is the more subtle alternative to the mainstream, without really sacrificing anything in terms of driving dynamics.
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Great work on the interior and also the power bump for the non-GS. The AWD is a nice addition too. The only problem is it remains very heavy until it moves to a new platform in I’m guessing around 3-4 years. As it is, I’m not sure this upgrade will be noticed by the public.
Does it also have the touch (scratch) pad which should be located between the front seats, behind the gear lever, just before the arm rest. Nice addition to the touch screen on the console, because it can be reached without having to strecht the arm, and put the eyes on the touch screen.
Here is the Opel Insignia version presented in an English speaking video on Youtube.
This should not be too different from the NA Buick version in the Regal.
The 2.8L is not a bad engine at all! The Cadillac SRX is just so big and heavy that it wasn’t enough power for it. I had a Saab 9-3 Aero and loved it very much!
I still think the Regal’s engines should be a 1.6L Turbo 170HP eAssist, 2-Mode Transmission, Regen Braking, Start/Stop, 2.0L Turbo 265HP, 2.5L I4 197HP and 2.8L Turbo V6 345HP-(SIDI, AFM and VVT)
The issue is with the cost of the 2.8 Turbo how much more would it be? GM did finally get the AWD in under $40K but could they also get the 2.8 in at the same price? This car is right at the limit of what people will pay with incentives and if the price goes up it will slow sales even more.
I love this car but if it goes to over 40 grand there are too many other choices. At least till they redo this car on a new platform in the next couple years. I see 3 years more here.
I saw a new gs driving in town last week, really beautiful car in person, hope it does well.
If I was looking for a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the Regal would be at the top of the list.
Good article.
I want to buy this car so bad because I want to go American. At this price point it I am forced to cross shop an ATS which is RWD but man the competition is steep at 40k
This will b my next car for sure (GS model of course) great car for what u pay and I do wish they would put the 2.8L in and make a GSX model. But im sure they won’t do anything till this car comes out on a new platform just have to wait and see. Good job GM
Others have brought up the elephant in the room that I realize I forgot to mention. This is a great effort and a really good car, but at this price point there are a ton of other choices out there from some great names. And if you want to steal sales in any industry, you have to offer your product for less money. Hopefully this still undercuts some.
That is just it. This car is already playing a price game as it is trying to give you as much as they can for a price less than many others.
Not many cars out there with this kind of HP and performance with AWD at the average price of todays cars.
The average car today is now at $37K and this is at $38 Sticker and can be had for much less with deals and rebates.
No it is not the perfect car but for the money it is a good package. Buick is still coming off a image stigma that was one of the worst in the industry. It takes time and new product to over come this image.
Pontiac had the old people image in the mid 50’s and it started to change with Bunkies leadership. He started with the product he had and worked from there. It took 5-7 years to really make a difference. To me this is like the 57 Bonneville FI as it was Pontiacs real first shot at performance and it only grew out from there with each new model.
GM has much planned for Buick but it is just now really getting started with their new products. I really do not think many really understand the changes we will see in the next 4-8 years a Buick. You think Cadillac has transformed just wait for Buick. GM has been silent but they have not been sitting still.
I am still waiting for an answer to my question, if the 2014 Buick Regal also as this scratch pad, like the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia it has.
I found the answer on “GMinsidenews.com”
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Buick ditched the optional dial, mouse-like control pad found on the 2013 Regal’s center console. While the European Opel Insignia retained this controller, Buick says its focus is on touch interfaces instead.
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They have improved the Regal. Keep up the good work GM!
They made some really nice improvements on this vehicle. As an owner of a 2013 Regal that has the “iDrive” like controller in it, I am disappointed to see this feature omitted on the new version. The way that Buick has to position the screen due to govt regulations that require the screen to be up higher close to the vision line for driving. As a consequence of this it is impossible to touch the touchscreen while driving because it is far away, further than an arms length reach. I find the controller very helpful. I think that is one mistake that Buick made. I don’t want to have to rely on voice commands every time I want to change the radio/media.