Attainable performance and luxury — that is Buick’s motif surrounding the 2018 Buick Regal GS. After months of leaks and speculation, here it is, and it’s packing the oft-rumored 3.6-liter V6 LGX engine.
Revealed today, the 2018 Regal GS ushers in Buick’s most recent effort at a true sport sedan to match premium rivals at an unmatched value. On paper, the 2018 Buick Regal GS certainly has the credentials.
There’s the aforementioned 3.6-liter V6 engine, which produces 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent through a standard nine-speed automatic transmission—the manual gearbox is long gone—which routes power to all four wheel via a twin-clutch, all-wheel-drive system. Buick is quick to point out there’s more power on tap than an Acura TLX A-Spec or Lexus IS350 F-Sport. It’s also 51 more hp than the outgoing Regal GS, which made use of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Additionally, Buick’s second-generation Continuous Dampening Control system is onboard, which is capable of 500 adjustments per second as it reads the road. Think of it as the little brother to General Motors’ Magnetic Ride Control. Standard “performance brakes” with Brembo front calipers provide the 2018 Regal GS’ stopping force.
However, the 2018 Regal GS offers more luxury per dollar this go around as well. Specific to the 2018 Regal GS are specific, AGR-certified sport seats. Not only are they heated and cooled, they’ll also massage the driver and front passenger. An eight-inch touchscreen display handles the infotainment tasks, and yes, a full-color heads-up display is optional.
As for the design, it’s a proper evolution from the previous Buick Regal GS. More aggressive front and rear fascias compliment new side skirts, standard 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. It won’t snap necks, but we think it will turn a few heads.
More power and posh feelings come at a price, however. The 2018 Buick Regal GS will go on sale with a $39,990 starting price, including destination. Will V6 power finally conjure positive thoughts of G-bodies of yore? We don’t know yet, but it seems like a step in the right direction.
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Comments
If only it was branded as a Vauxhall or Holden. I can’t get past that Buick badge.
It is… it’s called the Holden Commodore VXR. Although Holdens aren’t known for their luxury credentials, so I’d say some of the Buick luxury spec is not available standard in the VXR – but maybe as options.
http://www.motoring.com.au/holden-commodore-2018-108064/
The badges should be interchangeable, so it has that going for it. Plenty of people have swapped out the badges on the Chevy SS for Holden ones.
I love this new offer. As a past owner of a 1995 NV 3.8 L V6 Regal, this is a real beast!
Lease is up in 13 months on my current GS, cant wait.
Now how about a GSX wit the TT3.0?
I’ve got the feeling that the 3.0TT is exclusively for RWD Cadillacs. You’d think that they would’ve stuffed it in the ATS, CTS, or at least the XT5.
Personally I wish they’d introduce a boosted LGX variant.
This will get me in a Buick store for the first time.
I have been wanting a fine German automobile and I think I just found it!
The Good:
NA V6 (despite the haters, this puts it on the consideration list for me)
Standard AWD
Head-up display
The “good” gauge cluster that the Europeans get
Nice looking rims that are not black
Sport Red color
The Bad:
No foglights?
auto start-stop (C’mon GM, why are you trying to lose me as a customer so hard?)
The Ugly:
Those seats. Ugh, don’t think I could live with them. Besides the ugly boy racer/amusement park look, they don’t look comfortable. Supportive, yes: comfortable, no. I wonder if a dealer would be willing to swap them out for regular Regal seats?
Despite the negatives, I will be test driving one of these when it is available for sure!
I’m sure a dealer would swap the seats for a price, if you’re lucky you may be able to negotiate that into the purchase price
I’d try sitting in the seats before judging them too harshly. I sat in the last gen Regal’s seats – they were snug but surprisingly comfortable. The seats in the current gen Lexus IS also look very sporty, but when you sit down in them they fit like a glove. Well, they fit me like a glove at least and I’m far from the smallest person around.
Definitely a looker! And price fairly reasonable! I’ve never seen a more handsome Buick in my life!
My only complaint is towards the lack of paddle shifters. Such a sporty lift-back deserves to have them, at least for the sake of better selling its “sporty” intentions. But it really doesn’t matter! I’m certain the target buyer of this car won’t ever use them. Just like all those Camry owners out there who have them, many of which have no clue what they are, let alone how to use them!
Does anyone know all of the standard features and options that the 2018 GS will offer, and when it will appear in Dealers Showrooms in Canada/U.S.?
No, no information on either one of those just yet. We will present it as soon as we dig it up here at GM Authority 🙂
Update: we got the word on the launch window for the Regal GS: first quarter 2018.
This is the options list for all Regals. It’s been updated to include the GS.
http://www.buick.com/regal-mid-size-luxury-hatchback-sedan/?evar36=MRM_eml_Buick_Regal_Sportback_Touch3_adhoc_0717_15012782088#/regal-gs/trims
I’m anxious to see this in person. I honestly hope to see the Malibu get upgraded as well.
Even if the Malibu don’t offer the 3.6 how about an upgraded 2.0 with 300HP and 300 FPT.
This looks really good Buick / GM. Looking forward to seeing it in person.
Where is the 6mt from the Camaro with the very same engine?
Lost me with no stick……
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted. If you want an Audi A4, they’re happy to sell you one with a stick. All we’re asking for is a manual transmission option. I assume they already offer it for Euro spec models.
Europe doesn’t even get a manual with the 2.0T. Only on the lower trim models.
Surprised nobody has asked it, but GM made no mention of a TourX GS. Either this is delayed marketing intentionally, or a missed opportunity. WIth no Commodore Wagon and the Dodge Magnum revival now apparently dead (since the Giulia Wagon is now dead), that leaves America with no chance at a US-brand performance wagon.
Unless Buick backtracks and offers the GS trim on the TourX wagon.
The TourX is lifted and being marketed as a crossover. They’re not going to do a GS variant unless we also get the regular wagon.
Holden does get the regular wagon. http://media.gm.com/media/au/en/holden/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/au/en/2017/Mar/0307_Insignia.html
Not sure why you can’t fit the GS engine and struts onto the TourX. If there’s some compromise in handling, they could call it the TourX GSi like Opel does with the non-V6 GS.
Jeep does the same artificial limitations, denying the 300 hp 3.6L Pentastar V6 on the Jeep Cherokee, despite the identical engine bay being used in the Chrysler 200.
In the end, it denies new car sales and just has people buying CPO wagons from other makers in the used market – instead of new cars that they would want to buy. Just like how I bought a 200S V6 instead of a 2.0T Camaro. Got my 300 hp, didn’t have to pay $30,000.
I saw it mentioned somewhere that Duncan Aldred said that there would be no GS version of the TourX, because it would be a niche within a niche. I would definitely own it though.
Duncan also called the Cascada was a “halo” vehicle for Buick, so, you gotta take those statements with a grain of salt. It basically means we don’t think there will be enough takers. And based on what happened with CTS-V Wagon sales, they might be right.
That’s too bad because I for one think Cadillac should have kept the wagon in all of it’s variations. I also think GM could use more performance vechiles throughout its line. They all don’t all have to be full on performance vehicles like the V and ZR1 and so forth. just enough to keep them competitive. They should be tired of people that want just a little more go haveing to go elsewhere to get it.
The color choices on the GS suck, I prefer the Rioja Red, blue or green that is available on the regular Regal.
Totally agree. I will probably put in an order for a GS when the lease on my present Regal is up in December but I will have a hard time deciding on color.
I like it and cant wait to see it in person.
The availability of the 310 horsepower 3.6L DOHC-4v V6 should give the 2018 Buick Regal GS a performance advantage over the 2018 Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata at least on paper as this has to be something Buick must have been thinking about as the only other engine in the GM parts bin is the 252 hp LTG 2.0L 4-cyl turbo.
$39,990 includes destination. Does not include paint. Only premium colors are offered as an extra cost option. I remember back when I was young paint was included, and an automatic transmission was an option.
PROS:
Looks like good seats with a lot of functions standard.
More content for about same price as current GS.
Sunroof Optional.
CONS:
Looks like the center info window only displays 1 item at a time.
Nav + Bose are optional.
NO HID headlights on GS. LED is Optional.
OTHER:
With added options, it would have basicly the same features as a Cadillac CTS Luxury, for about $10k less.
Made in Germany, plus it’s first year will probably mean a long wait for special orders and maybe parts.
Does anyone know what the complete specs. for the 19″ tires are, on the 2018 Buick Regal GS, ie. 235/40 R19, for example, and for the tires on the Essence trim, ie. 18″, etc.? Will rear heated seats be available as an option on Essence/GS trims?
According to the features/option list, it appears that LED Headlights are only an option on the GS model, and not even
available on the top line trim (Essence). It appears that you have to get the GS Model for the latest technology, I think this is unfair, they should be at least offered on the Essence trim also! I assume then, that the GS will offer full LED Headlights/Taillights and no fog lights? I assume that the recently published features/option list on this site is “locked in” for the first model year, or, could GM change it at any time, according to consumer/automotive press feedback?
GM’s consumer sites are consistently the worst at options and specification information. The fleet order guide is much more detailed and correct.
http://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2018®ionID=1&divisionID=4&type=0&vehicleID=21366§ion=modelhome&page=&butID=1
The GS information still needs to be added in.
LED headlights are available on all trims except the base model.
18″ tires: 245/45R18
19″ tires: 245/40R19
I’m really hoping enough complaining about the lack of paddle shifters will get them to add them. Opel and Holden have the same steering wheel with paddles.
Thanks I found the specs that I was looking for. Bad news the regal Essence all wheel drive weighs 4096 pounds. the base regal weighs 3748 pounds. Didn’t this car go on a diet like the Malibu?
2017 Malibu premier is 3298 pounds.
That’s the one piece of information I’m hoping is incorrect on the order guide. If those weights are true, we are looking at a 4200+ lbs GS.
It really makes no sense for the Regal to weigh that much. The AWD V6 Lacrosse which is larger, on the same platform, and has the same drivetrain, only weighs 3850 lbs.
Both the TourX and GS have one major change: the rear. Making a gigantic liftback door or a wagon – both of those things add considerable weight. This is why coupes have reigned supreme in performance until the 21st Century. They’re lighter.
Adding a Panamera-style rear door can add hundreds of pounds. Adding all those noise deadening and other changes add weight too. Death by a thousand papercuts. The curb weight does not surprise me. 200S AWD Curb Weight clocks in at 3800 pounds – sans Panamera rear door.
The Insignia 2.0T AWD is listed at 1649 kg (3635 lbs) according to Euro specifications which includes all fluids and a 160 lbs driver. That puts it at 3475 lbs without a driver which is how weight is specified in the US. Even if they have added some sound deadening for Buick, I find it hard to believe that they added over 500 lbs worth.
Pg. 46 – Leergewicht inkl. Fahrer (nach 70/156/EWG):
http://www.opel.de/content/dam/opel/germany/fahrzeuge/insignia-b/downloads/Insignia_18-0_PRL-D_web.pdf
I agree in that I’m not convinced this 4,200 lbs is the curb weight for the GS but possibly the TourX (but I’m also not saying it isn’t). I also don’t think 3,600 to 3,800 is out of question for the GS either.
Don’t forget the V6 adds a lot of weight.
The LTG engine weighs 390 pounds. The LGX engine weighs 365 pounds. Turbo charger and intercooler and all the plumbing that goes with it increases the weight of the LTG. Remember a few years back. when GM put the LS4 in the W body cars. 5.3L LS4 was 40 pounds lighter than the 3.8 L supercharged V6.
I look forward to checking it out when it arrives. Those seats look uncomfortable may be a deal breaker.
GM has made a horrible mistake: Opel/Buick should be the GM world brand.
Chevy it’s damaged. Mark Adsms and Opel create great, industry leading products. Insignia makes Malibu look so sad.
Needs a hood scoop. I like the Subaru WRX. I’m a sucker for a car with a factory hood scoop.
Very nice looking car this is sure to be the next holden.