We know you have questions, and we’re here to answer them. GM Authority will be behind the wheel of the 2018 Buick Regal TourX this week and we’ll have a handful of VIPs on hand to answer many of your questions.
The Regal TourX is Buick’s first wagon in decades, which opens up plenty of conversation right off the bat. We’ll do our absolute best to respond to every question and seek out the most thoughtful and full answer possible.
While you concoct your questions below, do provide us some patience. We’ll be busy in and out of the Regal TourX. We promise we’ll be as prompt as possible, but it may be 48 hours before we return with solid answers.
Without further ado, fire away.
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Comments
Will they offer all wheel drive?
Trent,
The Regal TourX comes with standard all-wheel drive.
Thanks for reading,
-Sean
Thanks.
Can the auto start/stop be turned off like in the 2019 Silverado or in the Cadillac CTS?
What is the interior sound level and comfort level and how does it compare to the Audi Allroad, V60 Cross Country, and Subaru Outback Touring? Is it as quiet as the other Buicks?
Regarding stop/start: no, it can’t be bypassed. Though in its own defense, it’s not too intrusive or clunky.
The TourX is as quiet as any other Buick. I’d put the TourX squarely between the spartan Subaru and the more premium Audis and Volvos. But definitely closer to the European makes than the Japanese. It’s comfortable as you’d expect, but the lack of some content (HUD, vented seats) keeps it from being class-leading. But there’s also a fair bit of value to be found here compared to the Volvo or Audi.
What trim level are you testing? Does it include leather and the “lane keep assist” features? If so, can you possibly provide some feedback on Buick’s auto braking and lane keep assist features? Those are pretty difficult to try during a test drive.
How well does the all wheel drive system work in wet or snowy conditions?
In your opinion, does the new Buick TourX provide more or less value to young families than the Buick Envision?
We’re only testing Essence models – the top trim level at the moment. Yes to leather and lane keep assists. We’re not about to “test” auto braking in the event that it doesn’t work. Lane keep works the same as in any other current GM vehicle.
We tested the AWD system on loose gravel. It had a very predictable composure.
The TourX has more cargo space than the Envision, and handles far better. If storage and maneuverability are priorities for young families, than yes.
If you have the opportunity to drive at night/in the dark how are the LED headlights?
If you get enough seat time how is the long-term comfort of the seats?
How is the transmission behavior? Does it want to upshift from first to second too quickly? Are the shifts smooth in all gears? Any gear hunting?
We drove during the day.
Seats were comfortable to where we paid no mind to them.
The 8 speed is behaves very well. The 9 speed is even better, but that’s not available on the TourX right now.
Does the car handle as well as the Regal Sportback AWD models? Is the ride noticeably softer, what with taller profile tires and slightly taller stance? Do the moldings over the wheel arch look as goofy in real life as in the photos? Thanks.
It’s not so much softer to where the car is a completely different character. The changes in dynamics are very subtle, from the stance to the added rear weight. We’ve taken a liking to the cladded wheel arches. Especially after navigating around a rocky trail.
Stephen, while we still have our 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc the 2018 TourX is a very nice ride. See more discussion on saab dot net and buickforums.
The Saab rides really well and is a bit soft while the Buick has a more European ride that is both stiffer and better handling.
The wheel arch is removable as a Buickforum member has removed them.
Size wise, how does this compare to the CTS Wagon?
CTS wagon has a slightly longer wheelbase, but the Buick has 15 cubic feet more cargo volume – 73+ cubic feet to the old Cadillac’s 58.
Wow, is that with rear seats up? That’s a huge difference!
Total storage, so rear seats down. That goes for both vehicles.
In 2019, the Regal TourX specification for both seats down is 73.5 cu. ft., but the 2019 Vauxhall Insignia (Catalog p. 43) is 58.8 cu. ft.
With the rear seat up, the Buick has 32.7 cu. ft. cargo space, and the Vauxhall has 19.8 cu. ft. (but under luggage cover only).
Has Vauxhall omitted the under cover area when measuring “both seats down”? Strange if so.
In Europe with the seats up they only measure up to the height of the seat back. In the US its up to the roof.
With the seats folded both US and Europe measure to the roof but I think the difference is in the US they include the rear foot well and Europe doesn’t.
The TourX is very long and about 10 inches shorter than a Mercedes S-class.
My 4 questions are:
Why can’t a V6 be offered on the heavier wagon?
Why can’t leather be offered as an option on the mid 36K trim level?
Why can’t the ugly black wheel wells be deleted and do they look as bad in real life as in the pictures?
How is the quietness compared to the sedan?
Good questions that will be tough to get sincere answers.
It’s otherwise that typical Buick quiet. Though be sure to crack a second window to avoid the buffeting that hatchbacks are known for when one window is rolled down.
The almost $10,000 off MSRP should put you below $36K with leather. No wheel options but it is very quiet with Conti-silent foam filled tires.
Many of the potential customers live in states that do not require or need ALL WHEEL or 4 WHEEL DRIVE. Will Buick offer a model similar to the old Volvo V 70 wagon?
How much material would have to be removed/replaced to get rid of the black spats (wheel well arches)? Is it interchangeable with the sportback models wheel wells. Maybe I could find someone with a base model sportback that wants to rock the rugged look.
With 250 hp on tap and standard all-wheel drive; how does the 2018 Buick Tourx handle the road compare to a CUV like Cadillac’s XT6.
You mean XT5?
TourX doesn’t necessarily need a V6, but that doesn’t stop anybody from wanting one. Just by the lower center of gravity alone, the TourX out-handles most crossovers.
Anybody giving it double take ganders?
Kind of hard not to when there’s 10 of them parked in one place.
Will the Sport trim offered in Europe be offered, eventually, here.
Will ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats be available? Would be interested also in what kind of fuel economy you actually experience during your time with it — both city and highway numbers.
Thanks!
Hoping to get an answer on vented fronts and heated rears. The car does actually have a heated steering wheel, though!
We did about 20.5 combined MPG after some spirited backroad and dirt road sessions. I defy anybody to get lower.
a foreign built BUICK is a foreign car American brands loose their status when built by foreign hands- it also lacks the options that should be standard in a up scale model with that said another poor move from GM in closing remember the Cadillac Catera it too was suppose to be outstanding .–it was a BOMB
So by that reasoning, a Toyota, built in the US would be considered an American car? I don’t disagree with the Catera but there have been many others between that have been just fine.
How is the ride compared to the sport back? Is the longer wheel base noticeable when it comes to the ride?
When you see it in person does it look longer than a Lacrosse?
A nuanced amount of pitch and roll compared to Regal Sportback, but that’s essentially it.
The wheelbase is the same as Sportback, it’s the rear overhang that’s longer. It feels more balanced as a result. The longer roofline makes the car appear larger than it is.
How does the interior look and feel compared to mainstream cars (Outback, Camry, Accord, Fusion,Mazda 6). I don’t care how it compares to a $55,000 BMW or Audi.
As an owner of the Regal TourX we spent time in a $40K Outback 3.6R at the autoshow. We felt the top line OB was competitive but the cheapness of the OB below the elbow level was obvious with flashing left on the injection molded map pockets and very short carpeted areas once you lower your eye level from the driving position. Our Regal TourX does not have that cheapness as a new vehicle. The OB is due to be redesigned.
Any towing capacity? The manual says no, which is a huge mistake IMO.
According to Buick it’s actually good to tow 1000 lbs – they just haven’t informed the dealers!
Why won’t it tow more? The Insignia Country Tourer, the Opel equivalent, is rated for up to 4850 lbs.
Is it possible to fit full size spare tire in the Tourx base 1sv model underneath back loading floor? I presume there is no subwoofer taking up the space like the higher trim with the upgraded audio.
Also, I notice none of the dealers have the base 1sv. Is Buick not bringing in the Tourx base 1sv?
i want to know if any spare tire can fit in the essence model. i will not buy a car without a spare. i can buy the tire myself if need be but i need a place for it and a jack
how much of a practical difference is there in rear seat headroom compared to the Regal sedan?
It would depend if you got panoroof in the TourX.. it is not available in the Sportback.
In this era of pickup trucks and CUVs, what kind of sales numbers will buick be happy with?
All of the sales numbers.
Start Stop that can not be turned of is a no go for me.
Will it have a manual transmission
no
Will the turbo engine run ok on regular gas or does it require premium? I’ve read conflicting information.
Does the rear end feature independent suspension?
when American products made buy American hands so a family can be fed and housed, is the American dream . when that job is outsourced to another country that dream fails . it appears some people don’t care if products are imported but with that some ones livelihood could be effected . people that are insulated can not understand that . with Toyotas and Hondas and the others built here their home countries also benefit .. i guess people who accept that’s ok but I’m American i will support American produces made in Americans –we will agree to disagree
Why is the TourX missing the luxury features of the Regal such as ventilated seats and HUD? Will these be added in the future?
Loving my Tour x that I picked up couple weeks ago….thought I would hate the start/stop but it really is ok….my only question to General Motors is……Are you serious about selling this car or not….if so, WHY NO ADVERTISING?????? Noone I speak to has any idea of what the tourx is…how could GM think they have a nice niche car if NOONE knows about it….my dealer has already stopped ordering since they cant get rid of the four they have in stock……Thought this was suppose to be the new GM but nothing has changed….
How often does the start/stop activate during stop and go traffic? We have a lot of metered on ramp(essentially a stoplight on the ramp where one car go at a time) to freeway in WA during rush hour. Sometimes there can be 60 cars waiting to get on the ramp, I hope it is not going start/stop like 60 times. Similarly, when I get off ramp where it is backed up 50 car deep before I get to the main road. That means I will go through a lot of start/stop cycles everyday during my commute and wear out the starter pretty quickly. Too bad there is no switch to turn it off. I am still on the fence whether to buy this car on not. I really like to have an AWD wagon instead of another full-size SUV which we already have particularly I have some aging parents where the low step in height is important for me. There are other things such as no spare tire. I have also read about from another board (Tesla) about trying to get the ContiSilent tire repair and he was having a hard time finding a shop willing to do it since there are quite a few steps involve in patch it.
Can one buy a small size spare tire to strap down in the back storage area?
Does Buick offer an optional spare kit (temporary spare, jack, and wrench) for the Tourx that you can place in the wheel well if you don’t take the upgraded sound system? Is there a GM part Number?
Per consumer reports, at least lower trim level Regal Sportback FWD models come with a compact spare (and, presumably, a jack). With a bit more space under the load floor, the parts should fit in the TourX as well. Stuff like this is always very expensive from the dealer, but less so from junkyards. Perhaps the parts from the previous Regal, if it came with a spare, will work as well; otherwise, your in for a wait before a decent number of the current Regals find their way to salvage.
Can. The cladding be removed from the tourx
Anything (that doesn’t defy a law of nature) is possible. In the case of the cladding I suspect paint and body work may be in order, perhaps to fill mounting holes and/or to repair the wheel arch surfaces. Then new front and rear fascia pieces may be in order so that it “looks right,” and those parts would need to be direct imported from a source in Europe. At the end of all this, you just might be looking a a price closer to a Volvo V90.
Speed Limit: Shows sign information, which comes from a roadway database in the DCI right next to the tony vehicle speed when it is set to be displayed, ones you turn off the vehicle for more that 10 minutes the computer does not hold the setting and the driver have to set the Speed Limit display again and every time that the vehicle is turn on
Water is leaking into the spare tire well on my 2018 TourX – is this a common problem? Is there a recall out there/pending?
i saw a tube video on this. there is a gasket leaking or something. you tube it and it has comments on there. have to take it to dealership
Love the buick regal tour x. Can it hold a full size spare tire? I own a magnum wagon that cant hold a full size spare. This is a big deal. Thanks.
Any opinion on the TourX not having a spare tire, but a inflation kit?
Any good reason why the Tour X’s towing capacity is so low (1,000lbs.), when a somewhat comparable car Volvo V60 cross country can tow up to 3,500lbs. with very similar engines and lower torque?
The TourX is sold in Europe and has a similar towing capacity to the Volvo there. But it seems GM wasn’t interested in giving the Regal a towing capacity. Saves on costs with certifying a tow rating, and potential warranty claims from increase wear when towing.
Is there a way to get a donut or spare tire that fit inside the trunk for a Tour X 2018? I had a sliced tire and got stuck on late Sunday when stores are closed.