We all know 2014 marks the best General Motors lineup ever − maybe we can’t wax poetic like GM’s 1955 or 1965 lineup, but today’s models from the General are far away much more of a world-class standard. But among the vehicles that are sold in the U.S., some get more notice than others. Which GM product is the most underrated?
According to Leftlane News, the Buick Regal is the GM vehicle that’s worth a look but is often overlooked by “entry-luxury rivals with more prestigious nameplates.” They like the Regal’s new-for-2014 standard 259-horsepower turbo four that, when combined with a “balanced chassis” and “tastefully understated styling,” makes for an attractive and desirable package that deserves more notice.
One minor criticism they have is about the option packages available for the Regal, which they feel may push the price up into the stratosphere and reduce the value that the Regal offers. Sounds like a Porsche, which didn’t make Leftlane‘s list because they’re usually the opposite of underrated.
Comments
I really just think that for now regal and ATS are stepping on each other’s feet
I do not understand why the EU and U.S. versions are quite different. could be same equipment options
The real issue is the Buick lines cars are all too close right now. There was not much space for the Regal between this car and the Lacrosse.
That will soon changes as all three cars will be replaced and given more space to grow in. Look for them to all make a more Europe step in styling and performance.
The ATS is still apart as it is a RWD based car and really can not compare to the Regal. Even their AWD systems are different. Also you can get a V6 in the Cadillac.
so nice…
The Buick Regal has always been a great car. I can still chirp the tires on my 1995 Regal Limited sedan, and it has been upgraded with K&N air filter, E3 Diamondfire plugs, HID headlamps and 100% LED lights (interior and exterior).
I think it’s long overdue for Buick to drop names like REGAL. Frankly, it’s outdated. Names are important for cars and the Japanese auto manufacturers learned this lesson a long time ago. Here’s my example and, I think, the most famous one of them all: Does anyone remember a car sold by Nissan [then Datsun] called the “Farilady?” Yes, it did exist, but Nissan wisely never sold it under that name in the U.S. It was sold as the – now venerable – 240Z! We all know what happened with the Z cars, don’t we?
Buick, get a grip, and be creative!! Stop using old names which tend to make your product sound stodgy, which this car is not.
In my opinion they need to chuck out the grill and the rims, neither of which make the car look very youthful. Not saying that 20 year olds is the target audience, but it wouldn’t hurt if 30 year olds could look at the car and say “nice” instead of “oh look, my grandpa just drove up”. The GS trim is better, but the 20 inch chrome spiky over sized rims almost screams “ghetto”. From the side all you see are those nasty chrome things.
Same issue with the ATS and CTS. The front and side look good, but the rear on both is very “un youthful”, not going to attract any 30 year olds in that. That’s where BMW and Audi both do a far better job. Perhaps the CTS is not as important, but ATS needs a new back end in the worst way.
I am going to disagree and say that the Malibu is GM’s most underrated vehicles.
This car is the most under appreciated and the Malibu is the most overlooked.
I wish that we could have the interesting colors the Insignia gets. I LOVE the green pictured above, and the blue on the wagon in the background looks quite nice too. Speaking of which, I wish that we could have that too.
grow the Regal and the Lacrosse….right now both the Regal and the Lacrosse are really both mid-size cars….they are too close in size and they should be further apart with the Lacrosse being a true full-sizer.
replace the regal name with GNX….and replace the Lacrosse name with Pamenaran.
What? Why?
Just a thought.
future Buick flagship to be….Buick Paminaran instead of Lacrosse???……..Buick Paminaran???
the Alpheon should be discontinued from the E2xx platform 2016 Buick Lacrosse. and Buick flagship to be a more premium true full-size 4 door coupe with a new nameplat and bigger trunk …instead of the domb mid-size Alpheon based Epsilon Lacrosse…..a true full-size 4-door coupe called….. Buick Paminaren….. replacing the mid-size Lacrosse???…….and there would be more space between the Regal and the Lacrosse.
for the Buick flagship…….build a whole new car form scratch.
make the 2016 Buick Lacrosse look like a full-size fastback Mazda 6. and it will be more good looking Porsch Paminara.
I own both the regal and the lacrosse. They are 2 very different cars. Whoever said they are too close in size is blind. The lacrosse is huge compared to the regal. Inside is night and day regarding space. The regal is tight, the lacrosse is cavernous. Even when I was cleaning the snow off both cars this winter I noticed how much higher, longer and wider the lacrosse is over the regal. Size wise they are perfect.
The reason why the regal doesn’t sell is because in the midsize class there is too much competition. The regal needs to push more towards performance to further set itself apart from Altimas, Sonata’s, Camrys, Accords, Mazda6’s, Optimas, Passats, Fusions, 200’s, Legacy’s, etc. All of these cars are about the same size as the regal and all are cheaper, some even with v6s. It doesn’t stand out much against any on the list in luxury either. All on the list come available with all the bells and whistles. The regal needs to go more performance first, then luxury to compete more with Audis, Acuras, Volvos, even BMWs. Screw stepping on Cadillacs toes. Buick needs to go for it. I think they dropped the ball in not offering the turbo 6 and awd from the start.
I have a 2016 2.0 Turbo AWD and I really like it. I’m a real estate agent so at first I just needed a better looking car after driving the bejeesus out of the last Buick. It’s grown on me with time. You can be easy, and sip gas or you can let that turbo wind up, and burn a lot of gas. I was surprised, this thing cooks. They’ve come a long way with the 4 cyl. This is also not an everyday American GM. It’s very European. The gas fill is on the right. The styling. The functionality of controls. The handling and road feedback. It cushions the road but still communicates with you. Right down to the laser cut key fob thing. I hit some windy roads on a regular basis and the handling is definitely on par with MUCH more expensive vehicles. Under acceleration the transmission is superb. Every machine has a downside right? Brakes could be better (Easily upgradable) Stop and go city traffic is not ideal for turbo models (not a surprise) Seats need more bolstering (you get that with a GS) The stereo is ok I guess (not a Bose) But that’s about it. As far as value goes, you can’t get a better vehicle for the money. The 2016-2017’s are coming off lease now and averaging 17-19k with low miles. AWD is really awesome if you can get it. They’re harder to find.