There’s a lot to like with the 2018 Buick Regal GS, but the mid-size sport sedan sports one feature no other General Motors vehicles in North America is available with. Those would be the AGR front seats.
The AGR seats, or Campaign for Healthier Backs in German, have long been used by Opel and Vauxhall vehicles in Europe, but the 2018 Buick Regal GS is the first North American car from GM to receive them. As we found out, they’re pretty darn comfortable.
Not only are the seats AGR certified, they also feature a massage function and also sport heat and cool functions. We’ll admit, they also look really great inside the car and fit the 2018 Regal GS’ sporting attitude.
As we proclaimed in our first look at the 2018 Buick Regal GS, there’s more luxury per dollar this go around. The seats are one component, but the materials are of better quality, an eight-inch touchscreen is present, a flat-bottom steering wheel is installed and a full heads-up color display is optional.
So, thanks, Buick, for looking out for North Americans’ back health. The brand could have easily chose a different set of seats, but we’re sure they’ll be appreciated by drivers all the more.
Comments
Bu no Paddle Shifters on their Sport Sedan even though both Holden and Opel offer them on even lesser models.
They should have massage function on enclave as well
AGR = “Aktion gesunder Rücken”
Comfortable seating is more important than more powerful engines
Paddle shifters on a slush box? Another wanna be?
Imagine a few more ponies to go with the great seats like Cadillac’s 400 horsepower LGW twin-turbocharged 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 as this would create a lot of excitement.
A Regal TourX with AGR seating would compare favorably to the higher-priced Volvo V90 CC, IMHO.
I just test drove the Regal GS with these AGR seats. I am a slim, average height male and I found them to be uncomfortable. The side bolstering is aggressive even when adjusted to the widest setting. As a reference I have 2016 3-series with sport seats, they are much better. As the test drive whet on I adjusted to it some, but overall I could not find a comfortable driving position.
The massage functions just inflates the 4 way lumbar in a rolling motion. There is a button to activate and it runs for 10 minutes, there is no way to turn it off. An ignition cycle will turn it off, but then the lumbar just stays in the position it was in when the car shut off. You have to readjust it when you start the car back up. Ultimately, I think it would just be annoying.
The ventilation function I believe draws air in, like Audi and BMW as opposed to blowing cool air like Lincoln or other GM vehicles. Drawing air in is good for long drives, but I was expecting the more American car approach of blowing cool air and I was disappointed. My parents Lincoln MKC has the best ventilated seats I’ve sat in.
Of course, everyone is different, so be sure to try them out for yourself. On a positive note, when I expressed at the end of the test drive that I couldn’t get comfortable and the seats were a let down, the salesman immediately offered up letting my take the car for an entire weekend to really try them out.
I too have the overpriced 2019 Buick GS with the AGR seats. The massage function just pounds into your lower back terribly. I live in Florida and the air cool function does nothing. After 5 months of ownership I still cannot find a comfortable seat position for driving. Worst seats ever.