2021 Buick Regal GS Refresh Looks Sweet, But We Can’t Have It
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As we reported back in October, the Chinese-market Buick Regal GS is poised to receive a refresh, which is slated to arrive for the 2021 model year. The new Regal will offer fresh and sporty styling paired with a turbocharged engine, but unfortunately, all that refreshed goodness won’t be making it to the U.S.
“The new-generation Regal HS and Verano GS are the newest members of Buick’s fashionable and dynamic GS sub-brand,” states an official General Motors press release. “The Regal GS has a more expressive exterior featuring a unique three-dimensional wing-shaped grille, Matrix Pixel full-LED headlights and a distinctive aerodynamic body kit.”
Indeed, the new 2021 Buick Regal GS looks pretty good, with the styling lines on the front end pulling back towards the fenders thanks to the lower lines in the headlamp housings. The lower fascia is broader and more sculpted, with the corner indentations adding an extra degree of sportiness to the aesthetic.
Inside, the refreshed 2021 Buick Regal GS gets the Buick eConnect 2.5 technology suite, including the Baidu AI voice assistant and wireless Apple CarPlay support. The mechanical specs include the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder LTG, while the GM nine-speed automatic is one hand for cog swaps. Extra driver engagement can be had thanks to steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
To note, the refreshed Chinese-spec Buick Regal will continue on in the sedan body style, as opposed to the liftback and high-riding TourX models we get here in the U.S.
Alas, the rather sweet-looking 2021 Buick Regal GS refresh won’t be headed here. As we covered previously, the Regal nameplate is headed for the dustbin on these shores as Buick moves towards a crossover-only lineup.
Would you like to see the refreshed 2021 Buick Regal GS arrive stateside, dear reader? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Regal news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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People who prefer imports buy import brands, even if built in the USA.
I don’t think GM buyers want a vehicle built overseas.
Another issue that hurt the new Regal is that Buick dealers don’t stock it, so it had no chance.
The Cadillac CT4 is a better alternative now at a similar price.
Those who buy a car based on where it’s assembled represent a very small portion of the general cary-buying public.
It’s true – most dealers didn’t stock it, and were not very motivated to move it.
Agreed about CT4 and CT5 being better values.
I was going to try to talk smack about the CT4, but it really looks like a sweet ride, competitively priced at just north of 30k.
While CT models may appear to better values they didn’t have the room of the Regal GS. Also, Consumer Reports ranking on the Cadillac brand is sadly still at the bottom. The “hatchback” makes a sedan so much more utilitarian like a crossover. If Buick would have pushed the “dual-clutch torque vectoring” AWD of the GS, they could have sold a ton of them. Driving is believing! Toyota and Honda are not killing their sedans for fuel economy reasons. The Regal GS 3.6 is vastly underrated. I personally get consistent 35 mpg on the highway with AWD. People can’t believe it. It will walk all over any AWD including Subaru. If GM would only get their marketing people a kick in the you no where.
GM really outdid itself with the lack of advertising for the entire sedan lineup. I never saw one TV add specifically geared toward the Regal. No one knows that it exists. Plus the 2017 -2020 version of the LaCrosse is a revamped 2009 LaCrosse. UGLY body lines! We owned three 2010 to 2016 LaCrosse cars. Loved the style and drive.
We bought a 2019 Regal GS, because we hated the new LaCrosse styling. I want to know how many 2019-2020 Regal GAS were produced. The resale plummeted, and it’s all GMs fault, because they never advertised it.
I believe there aren’t many of the GS versions around. So now I own two unusual limited production Buicks. I own a 1983 Riviera Convertible (1750 made), and the 2019 GS. Probably won’t ever become really valuable, but I like both cars very much.
No one knows or cares where it is built…
Tried posting comment but it gave me an error!
I agree! I went to all the Buick dealers in my area to test drive a new Regal. Non of them had a signal one on the lot. They all told me I could special order one. Why would I special order a car I could not even sit in? Plus they kept pushing the Enclave and Acadia; I don’t need a 3 row CUV. Long story short I bought a Mazda 6.
Not in the Northeast. Rear wheel drive doesn’t play well in the snow. And $2,000 more for and is excessive. Had a G8. Loved it. Got stuck in the dealer’s parking lot the day I picked it up. Had to shell out about $1,100 for snow tires, TPMS, and wheels so I could change them myself. It was horrible on “all-season” rubber.
That’s part of the problem, Detroit keep making cars for… Detroit, that’s like me complaining about how my snowmobile don’t work great in an Louisiana swamp.
People want a sporty car in America that appeals to the movers and shakers on both coast, not saying GM shouldn’t make fwd but if you want a statement-making vehicle in America it has to be rwd or go home.
The Regal is front wheel drive. So was the G8, what are you talking about?
The Pontiac G8 was very much rear wheel drive. The fifth gen Camaro is based on the Pontiac G8’s Zeta platform.
The CT4 is RWD, right? People in the snow belt don’t want RWD. Had a G8. Horrible in snow, unless equipped with snow tires. Then I had to make room to store the “all-season” tires on the winter, then vice versa the rest of the year. I agree that Buick dealers didn’t stock enough of them, or the LaCrosse for that matter.
The designers know how to make attractive cars, but unfortunately they only make them for Europe. When it comes to the US, they think they have to dumb-down the design. They think that American consumers won’t like the version designed for overseas markets while the opposite is quite often the case. Sure, there are certain American-designed cars that sell well in the United States. But they are the only cars we can buy! How can they estimate that a car designed for the European market won’t sell well in the US unless they try? And I’m not talking about a ‘Smart Car’ or some of the other more quirky models that ARE sold here. I’m talking about cars like this awesome looking Buick Regal GS designed for China. Detroit: Get with the program!!!!!
This is the fault of General Motors CEO Mary Barra as China gets EVERYTHING including hybrid vehicles which isn’t supposed to exist.. if China can have the Buick Velite 6 which is a Chevrolet Volt then they can sell the Volt in North America.
The fact that a sedan was discontinued in a market that is buying less and less sedans is not a “fault”… it’s rather good, strategic decision-making that sets the business up for success in growth areas.
The Velite6 is not a Volt. It’s an entirely separate model. You are thinking of the Velite5, which was announced but never materialized or stopped sales after only a few units.
Reportedly, 4,400 were sold. Wonder if I can get the fascia part number…
https://www.speakev.com/threads/buick-velite-5-second-generation-volt-production-has-ceased-in-china.142566/
Why get this when the CT5 Exists with a TT V6 ? It would come to a similar price point. Unless you need the additional trunk space, in which case you might as well get a Malibu Premier with the same powertrain and save money. I don’t see this product selling here.
Maybe, because the BOXY Cadillac design is ugly & Cadillac has a horrific reliability problem for decades now???
at this point, the only things worth buying from General Motors are the Cadillac V-Cars, and their full size trucks/body on frame SUVs. I would have said the Camaro but it’s getting ready to leave us again. I think Hyundai/Kia/Genesis is where I’ll turn my attention to from now on. At least they make a few proper cars like the Stinger, the K900 and the Genesis line. Properly built RWD based cars and SUVs and not this FWD crap. As much as i hate to say this, good job to the Koreans to make better cars than the USA!
Go to their site and testify there, don’t care here
I do appreciate that the Koreans are keeping all the manufacturers honest right now with competitive offerings. If Hyundai brought the 2.0t i30 to the U.S. I would love to take a peak at it. Korean vehicles seem to be assembled very well. However, I trust the engineering of older, more established brands a little more.
My Sonic, definitely incorporates some GM Korea engineering, but it had heavy influence from Opel and Chevy engineers, too. I do appreciate that final assembly of the Sonic took place in the United States, but it wasn’t what ultimately sold me. If you think your going to get something on par with a Cadillac with the Kia stinger you are sadly mistaken.
No love for the new Vette?
The new vette is great, but let’s be real, a practical daily vehicle it is not.
I have 2019 Regal Sport Back GS and we just love it! I have had a lot of GM cars and this is one of the best! I do not want an SUV/pickup and the idea of having to go the only Caddy dealer in again in our area turns my stomach that is how bad they are!
I flew to St. Libory, Ill. to drive a 2019 Sportback Regal AWD unseen without trial back to VA from a tiny dealership. It is the top-of-the line Essence in beautiful Rioja red. The Sportback allows me to put either groceries or nine foot long planks( which I carried recently to build new stairs on my deck) so conveniently with its low ridge. My father drove large Buick’s and Olds beginning in the late 40s and I continued, just recently giving my 2014 Buick Regal with 90,000 miles to my son.
I am still in love with Buicks and their reliability, fine acceleration with only a 2 liter engine, life-saving AWD for unexpected snows, and upscale good looks. Several people have asked me about my car and told me they loved it. I even checked to see if anyone had shipped one here from China. I do not like SUVs(hate parking next to them) so I am at a loss when it comes to buying the next sedan. Guess this one may follow me to my grave because it will probably last that long!
I has a”14 regal turbo and it was a great car.too bad it didn’t sell,but other great cars don’t either.Everyone wants a school bus now. I do own an “18” XTS because I need something roomier and also an eye catcher.chicks dig it! LOL
My son’s hand-me-down is the ‘14 Regal AWD turbo. Great-pick up now with new spark plugs to “sail” him onto the DC beltway. Your comment about everyone wanting a school bus now is so true, but why does the school bus have only one person in it? Being a product of the early 70s and gas-saving curtailments, that gets my goat. Ah, yes this is America. Too much, too fast, too much show, and too little in the bank. I was raised differently, thank goodness. Bring back sedans, but forget the tiniest dangerous cars for drivers with no experience. These are death traps. Or educate the parents.
AN American auto division ( BUICK ) assembled outside of the United States is a disgrace –among other dumb ass decision from GM .
Car lover! Yes! Bring us some actual cars in USA! Sedans, coupes & actual trunks! Bring us some actual cars.
It seems manufacturers dictate what we want based on what they don’t advertise – CARS! I.e., last couple yrs they excluded the Impala in the frequent GM mailings & TV ads. So, did sales go down because no one wanted it or because we were bombarded with SUVs ads?
I agree. The Impala died by design of GM. They pushed SUVs & trucks. They stopped including the Impala in their advertising mailings, not any mention of it for the last few yrs. They included the Malibu & Cruze but not Impala. GM also cut down on available options/colors, etc. I truly believe the demise of the Impala was by their design! Very unhappy.
I’ve owned many GM cars – Buicks, various Oldsmobiles, a Cadillac but I absolutely love my 2011 LTZ Impala (& the engine is awesome).
I had planned on replacing with another Impala when ready but … guess I will save $$$ and keep it longer.
Beautiful sporty refresh. The “market that is buying less & less sedans” is buying BMW, Audi, Lexus, Mercedes, Genesis, Toyota, Honda, etc sedans by the ship loads. Dumping the entire Buick Sedan line is yet ANOTHER piss poor decision in a long line of asinine decisions by the clueless elite ensconced in that ugly Ivory Tower in Detroit.
Exactly!
The GM sedans don’t need to go, Mary Barra does!
TOO BAD BUICK NEVER OFFERED ATTRACTIVE LEASES ON THE REGAL SPORTBACK IN THE USA. I tried in 2018 and got nowhere. I ended up with an excellent Volvo S60 which was coincidentally made in China. It’s a great car. So now, in a unique twist of irony, the new Volvo S60 is made in the USA. Now I’m ready again in May 2021 and it’ll probably be a Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve or another Volvo S60! Good choices but I really wanted to go for a GM CAR, but choices are so limited.
The Malibu Premier is comparable to the Mazda 6 GT. I mean they are both going to have torque steer. If you’re going to spend that kind of money why not look at the Cadillac CT4, it’s RWD with a 2.0t, probably an absolute pleasure to drive.
Yes. Did “car” sales go down because people didn’t like them or was it because of what manufacturers wanted & directed us towards.
I just cannot understand why GM cannot make a reasonable equipped sedan in North America. The Impala or Lacrosse. Who cares what it’s called just make one
The Buick Regal is a good car. I think some of the reasons it didn’t sell was GM never marketed it well/correctly, it came with crappy looking wheels unless you got the high level GS model, and it was too expensive. The Regal had so much potential and could have been made into a real cool car. And Buick used to be a good lower-cost alternative to the luxury brand cars, but the price of the nicer Regals were the same price of the luxury brand cars. The GS model which just had a few better performance features and decent looking wheels priced out in the $40K’s which was too high. The new Buick looks great and could have given folks a decent luxury sporty sedan alternative if it was priced right. Now all GM has are the high price Cadillacs which are too expensive for most people and the lower price Malibu which are great family cars- but nothing special.
The problem with GM is not the cars, the problem is Mary Barra who is NOT a car person. Sorry Mary but I live in America and make my money in America and when I want to buy a new car ( not an SUV or pick-up truck or electric) I don’t want my only choices to be foreign brands. But Mary, you are heading in that direction full speed ahead.
Exactly!! Good to know I’m not the only one feeling that way.
I didn’t think the Regal GS was really overpriced. Your typical Malibu Premier has a sticker in the 36-37K range with a 250 Hp 2.0 turbo, no AWD, no hatch, less aggressive wheels, the same seats as lesser models and little difference to exterior styling versus the Regal GS hatch. The Regal also has the auto leveling LED headlights, massaging seats with power bolsters and more general pzazz than the Malibu line. When discounted on the lots loaded premier Malibu’s are in the low 30’s and the Regal GS hatches are priced around 35-37 range. So the question will be is that more powerful V6, the hatch body style, those seats, a few extras and the AWD worth the price difference? Take away all those things and both cars are pretty close in price.
Exactly! It seems it is not the customers but the manufacturer driving the car market options.
Just brought a new (250 milia on her) 2019 Sportback. Love it!
Wonderful!! I’m waiting for this new Regal) But I’m disapointed because all that refreshed goodness won’t be making it to the U.S.( Also I have for you good newa how to earn money playing casino SAFELY with 100% security, all information you can search here https://www.slotowelcome.com I’m playing free games many years and it’s amazing
I’m currently driving 2019 Buick Regal GS.
Nice car, but now I feel gypped.
I prefer to have paddle shifters if they’re available.
They were not available at the time when I got the car.
“The mechanical specs include the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder LTG, while the GM nine-speed automatic is one hand for cog swaps. Extra driver engagement can be had thanks to steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.”
I can’t understand why they were not available on my car in 2019.
I own a 2013 regal gs with 23 thousand miles on it and I love this car , my opinion is Buick had it right with this year , although some refining would have been an improvement .this car had the looks and adequate horsepower but would have been even better with around 400 hp
And yes NOT EVERYONE wants a SUV some people still want a car!!!
Clearly, SUVs don’t handle any where near as well as a sedan on dry payment or snow. The higher center of gravity proves this. I’ve driven AWD Cadilacs and they were horrendous compared to my Regal GS.
GM designers can’t seem to get their best foot forward with upper management. Don’t kid yourself that GM designers have their head up their ass and can’t compete with the foreign market. It is truly an upper management problem. They have short term outlooks, motivated only on short term profits to guild their short term position in upper management knowing they will get golden parachutes on the way out, while they drive their BMW’s.
GM designers can’t seem to get their best foot forward with upper management. Don’t kid yourself . Lower management GM designers do not have their head up their ass. They can compete with the foreign market. It is truly an upper management problem. They have short term outlooks, motivated only on short term profits to guild their short term position in upper management knowing that when they get the boot they will get golden parachutes on the way out, while they drive their BMW’s.
I need this 2021 GS! I need this 2021 GS! I need this 2021 GS! Come on Buick. Keep this bad boy in the US.