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2018 Buick Regal

The Buick Regal was completely overhauled (redesigned and re-engineered) for the 2018 model year, ushering in the sixth generation of the Regal nameplate while introducing three body styles:

  • 2018 Buick Regal Sportback – a new body style with five-door versatility yet a sedan-like appearance, available in the United States and Canada.
  • 2018 Buick Regal TourX – a wagon with the driving dynamics of a car but all the usefulness of an SUV, available only in the United States.
  • 2018 Buick Regal Sedan – a standard sedan body that features a slightly longer decklid but less versatility than the Regal Sportback, available only in China.
[nggallery id=887] [nggallery id=886] [nggallery id=908] [nggallery id=979]

The 2018 Buick Regal is offered in three body styles globally, depending on market.

Body Style Market Predecessor
Regal Sportback United States Regal Sedan
Regal GS (Regal Sportback GS) United States Regal GS Sedan
Regal TourX United States None
Regal Sportback Canada Regal Sedan
Regal GS (Regal Sportback GS) Canada Regal GS Sedan
Regal Sedan China Regal Sedan

Buick also introduced a high-performance Regal GS for the 2018 model year. However, the 2018 Buick Regal GS refers to two different models, depending on the market:

  • In the United States, the Regal GS is available exclusively in the Sportback body style and features upgraded drivetrain components, including an upgraded engine, as well as enhancements to the exterior and interior.
  • In China, the Regal GS is available exclusively in the sedan body style and features enhancements to the exterior and interior, but does not have any drivetrain upgrades.

The sixth-generation Buick Regal is available in several body styles and variants across various global markets.

Following are all the major derivatives of the sixth-generation Regal family.

Manufacturer Brand Model Body Style Market
General Motors Company Buick Regal Sportback Sportback / Liftback North America
General Motors Company Buick Regal GS (Regal GS Sportback) Sportback / Liftback North America
General Motors Company Buick Regal TourX Rugged Wagon North America
Shanghai GM Buick Regal Sedan China
Shanghai GM Buick Regal GS Sedan China
Adam Opel AG Opel Insignia Grand Sport Sportback / Liftback Europe (excluding United Kingdom)
Adam Opel AG Opel Insignia Sports Tourer Wagon Europe (excluding United Kingdom)
Adam Opel AG Opel Insignia Country Tourer Ruggedized Wagon Europe (excluding United Kingdom)
Adam Opel AG Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Sportback / Liftback United Kingdom
Adam Opel AG Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Wagon United Kingdom
Adam Opel AG Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer Ruggedized Wagon United Kingdom
GM Holden Ltd Holden Commodore Sportback / Liftback Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)
GM Holden Ltd Holden Commodore Tourer Wagon Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)

More information:

Though we initially believed that GM would reintroduce the Regal Grand National and high-performance Regal GNX on its rear-drive Alpha platform, such a vehicle never came to market. Instead, GM elected to maintain the Regal family as a front-drive midsize vehicle family.

See our initial, though incorrect, expectations about the 2017 Buick Regal Grand National and 2017 Buick Regal GNX.

It’s believed that Buick’s decision to replace the Regal Sedan with the Regal Sportback in the United States market is associated with the market shift from sedans and to crossovers. Buick itself states that the new Regal Sportback and Regal TourX represent two new products that expand the expectations and opportunity for individuality in the premium midsize segment.

In the U.S., the Regal slots in the premium midsize segment and has the following competitors:

Buick Regal Sportback Competitors (U.S. market)

  • Lexus ES
  • Acura TLX
  • Audi A4 Sedan and Audi A5 Sportback
  • Volvo S60

Buick Regal TourX Competitors (U.S. market)

  • Audi A4 Allroad
  • Subaru Legacy Outback
  • BMW 3 Series Wagon
  • Volvo V60

Meanwhile, sedans remain strong in the Chinese market. For that reason, Buick didn’t feel the need to offer the new Regal in any other form factor there other than the sedan. In China, the Regal Sedan competes in the premium medium/large executive sedan segment with the following models:

  • Acura TLX-L
  • Lexus ES
  • Peugeout 508
  • Volkswagen Passat (Ling Du)

The 2018 Buick Regal family is offered with the following engines and transmissions globally.

Market OEM Model Year Brand Model Engine Aspiration Drive Trans Power (hp / kW @ RPM) Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM)
U.S., Canada General Motors Company 2018 Buick Regal Sportback 2.0L I4 LTG DOHC Turbo FWD 9-speed auto M3D 250 / 186.4 @ 5400 260 / 351 @ 2000-5200
U.S., Canada General Motors Company 2018 Buick Regal Sportback 2.0L I4 LTG DOHC Turbo AWD 8-speed auto MRC 250 / 186.4 @ 5400 295 / 395 @ 3000-4000
U.S., Canada General Motors Company 2018 Buick Regal Sportback GS 3.6L V6 LGX DOHC Atmospheric AWD 9-speed auto M3T 310 / 231 @ 6800 282 / 381 @ 5200
U.S., Canada General Motors Company 2018 Buick Regal TourX 2.0L I4 LTG DOHC Turbo AWD 8-speed auto MRC 250 / 186.4 @ 5400 295 / 395 @ 3000-4000
China Shanghai GM (1) 2018 (2) Buick Regal Sedan 1.5L I4 LFV DOHC Turbo FWD GM 9-speed auto 165 / 125 @ 5600 185 / 252 @ 2000-4000
China Shanghai GM (1) 2018 (2) Buick Regal Sedan 2.0L I4 LTG DOHC Turbo FWD GM 9-speed auto M3D 257 / 192 @ 5400 258 / 350 @ 2000-5000
China Shanghai GM (1) 2018 (2) Buick Regal Sedan Hybrid 1.8L I4 DOHC with hybrid electric motor LKN Atmospheric + hybrid electric FWD Electric Variable Transmission 182 / 136 280 / 380
  • 1 – GM’s Chinese joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC.
  • 2 – Chinese vehicles technically don’t use model years.

The sixth-generation Buick Regal rides on GM’s E2 platform shared with the following vehicles:

2018 Buick Regal Sportback - Media Drive - Austin Texas - exterior 021

2018 Buick Regal Sportback with liftback in the closed position

2018 Buick Regal Sportback - Media Drive - Austin Texas - exterior 022

2018 Buick Regal Sportback with liftback in the open position

Overview

Model: Buick Regal
Body style: midsize sedan
Driveline: transversely-mounted front engine; front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Construction: Unibody
EPA vehicle class: sedan
Manufacturing location: Russelsheim, Germany
Key competitors: Acura TLX, Audi A5 Sportback, Volkswagen CC, Volkswagen Arteon, BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Propulsion Systems

Engine: 2.0L turbocharged I-4
GM engine RPO code: LTG
Displacement (cu in / cc): 122 cu in / 1998 cc
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT
Fuel delivery: side direct fuel injection
Horsepower (FWD models) (hp @ rpm): 250 hp @ 5400 RPM
Horsepower (AWD models) (hp @ rpm): 250 hp @ 5500 RPM
Torque (FWD models) (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 260 lb.-ft. @ 2000-5200 RPM
Torque (AWD models) (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 295 lb. ft. @ 3000-4000 RPM
Transmission (FWD models): 9-speed automatic
Transmission (AWD models): 8-speed automatic

Chassis & Suspension

Suspension (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension (rear):  multi-link
Steering type: Rack-mounted electric power steering
Turning circle (17" wheel) (ft / m): 39 ft. / 11.9 m
Turning circle (18" wheel) (ft / m): 41 ft. / 12.5 m
Brakes: four-wheel disc
Wheel size and type: 17-inch aluminum or 18-inch aluminum
Tires: Continental ProContact tx 245/45R18

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm): 111.4 / 2829
Overall length (in / mm): 192.9 / 4899
Overall width (in / mm): 73.3 / 1863
Overall height (in / mm): 57.3 / 1455
Front track (in / mm): 62.8 / 1596
Rear track (in / mm): 63.0 / 1599
Curb weight (Regal base) (lb / kg): 3748 / 1700
Curb weight (Preferred) (lb / kg): 3840 / 1742
Curb weight (Premium) (lb / kg): 3885 / 1762
Curb weight (Essence) (lb / kg): 3902 / 1770

Interior Dimensions

Seating capacity: up to five passengers
Front headroom (in / mm): 38.8 / 985
Rear headroom (in / mm): 37.4 / 952
Front legroom (in / mm): 42.1 / 1070
Rear legroom (in / mm): 36.9 / 936
Front shoulder room (in / mm): 56.9 / 1444
Rear shoulder room (in / mm): 55.4 / 1407
Front hip room (in / mm): 55.2 / 1403
Rear hip room (in / mm): 54.1 / 1375
Cargo volume (rear seats up) (cu. ft.): 31.5 cu. ft.
Cargo volume (rear seats folded) (cu. ft.): 60.7 / 3002

The following specs pertain to the North American-market Buick Regal GS, also known as the Regal GS Sportback.

This model is different from the Chinese-market Regal GS, which is available only as a Sedan and does not feature powertrain upgrades. Instead, the Chinese-market Regal GS is an appearance package for the 2018 Buick Regal Sedan.

2018 Buick Regal GS Sportback - exterior 008

2018 Buick Regal GS Sportback - exterior 003

Overview

Model: 2018 Buick Regal GS
Body style / driveline: five-passenger, four-door liftback
Driveline front-engine, all-wheel drive with active twin-clutch
EPA vehicle class: Sedan
Assembly: Russelsheim, Germany

Powertrain

Engine / Type: 3.6L V-6
GM RPO Code: LGX
Block: cast aluminum
Cylinder head: cast aluminum
Fuel delivery: direct injection
Horsepower (hp / kW @ RPM): 310 / 231 @ 6800 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ RPM): 282 / 381 @ 5200 rpm
Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Chassis & Suspension

Suspension (front): MacPherson strut with coil springs, continuous damping control (CDC)
Suspension (rear):  five-link independent rear suspension, CDC
Steering type: electric-variable power assist (EPS)

Brakes & Wheels

Brake type: four-wheel disc with ABS and ESC; Red-painted Brembo front calipers
Wheel size and type: 19-inch aluminum
Tires: Continental Pro Contact TX all-season 245/40R19

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm): 111.4 / 2829
Overall length (in / mm): 192.9 / 4899
Overall width (in / mm): 73.3 / 1863
Overall height (in / mm): 57.3 / 1455
Track front (in / mm): 62.8 / 1595
Track rear (in / mm): 63 / 1600

Interior Dimensions

Front Rear
Seating capacity: up to five passengers
Headroom (in / mm): 38.8 / 985 37.4 / 952
Legroom (in / mm): 42.1 / 1070 36.9 / 936
Shoulder room (in / mm): 56.9 / 1444 55.4 / 1407
Hip room (in / mm): 55.2 / 1403 54.1 / 1375

Weights & Capacities

Base curb weight (lb / kg): 3796 /1722
Max cargo room – behind rear seat (cu ft / L): 31.5 / 892
Max cargo room – rear seat folded (cu ft / L): 60.7 / 1718

2018 Buick Regal TourX - Oregon Trail Drive 013

2018 Buick Regal TourX - Oregon Trail Drive 015

Overview

Model: Buick Regal TourX
Body style: station wagon
Driveline: transversely-mounted front engine; all-wheel drive
Construction: unibody
EPA vehicle class: station wagon
Manufacturing location: Russelsheim, Germany
Key competitors: BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon, Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country

Propulsion Systems

Engine: 2.0L turbocharged I-4
GM RPO Code: LTG
Displacement (cu in / cc): 122 cu in / 1998 cc
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT
Fuel delivery: side direct fuel injection
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 250 hp @ 5500 RPM
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 295 lb.-ft. @ 3000-4000 RPM
Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Chassis & Suspension

Suspension (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension (rear):  five-link
Steering type: Rack-mounted electric power steering
Turning circle (ft. / m): 40 ft. / 12.2 m
Brakes: four-wheel disc
Wheel size and type: 18-inch aluminum
Tires: Continental ProContact tx 235/50R18

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm): 111.4 / 2829
Overall length (in / mm): 196.3 / 4985
Overall width (in / mm): 73.3 / 1863
Overall height (in / mm): 58.4 / 1484
Front track (in / mm): 62.8 / 1596
Rear track (in / mm): 63.0 / 1599
Curb weight (TourX base) (lb / kg): 4239 / 1923
Curb weight (Preferred) (lb / kg): 4270 / 1937
Curb weight (Essence) (lb / kg): 4286 / 1944

Interior Dimensions

Seating capacity: up to five passengers
Front headroom (in / mm): 38.8 / 985
Rear headroom (in / mm): 39.6 / 1006
Front legroom (in / mm): 42.1 / 1070
Rear legroom (in / mm): 36.9 / 938
Front shoulder room (in / mm): 56.9 / 1444
Rear shoulder room (in / mm): 55.4 / 1407
Front hip room (in / mm): 55.2 / 1403
Rear hip room (in / mm): 54.1 / 1375
Cargo volume (rear seats up) (cu. ft.): 32.7 cu. ft.
Cargo volume (rear seats folded) (cu. ft.): 73.5 cu. ft.

2018 Buick Regal Sedan - Chinese Market- exterior 001

2018 Buick Regal Sedan - Chinese Market- exterior 002

Overview

Model: Buick Regal
Body style: midsize sedan
Driveline: transversely-mounted front engine; front-wheel drive
Construction: Unibody
EPA vehicle class: sedan
Manufacturing location: China
Key competitors: Audi A4, Volkswagen CC

Exterior Dimensions

Metric / Model 20T Vantage 20T Elite 20T Luxury 20T Prestige 28T Dignity 28T Prestige 30H Elite 30H Luxury
Wheelbase (in / mm): 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829 111.4 / 2829
Overall length (in / mm): 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902 192.9 / 4902
Overall width (in / mm): 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863 73.3 / 1863
Overall height (in / mm): 57.3 / 1456 57.5 / 1461 57.5 / 1461 57.5 / 1461 57.5 / 1461 57.5 / 1461 57.3 / 1456 57.3 / 1456
Track front (in / mm): 63.1 / 1603 62.7 / 1593 62.7 / 1593 62.7 / 1593 62.4 / 1585 62.4 / 1585 62.7 / 1593 62.7 / 1593
Track rear (in / mm): 63.3 / 1607 62.9 / 1597 62.9 / 1597 62.9 / 1597 62.5 / 1589 62.5 / 1589 62.9 / 1597 62.9 / 1597
Curb Weight (lbs / kg): 3152 / 1430 3152 / 1430 3152 / 1430 3152 / 1430 3373 / 1530 3373 / 1530 3384 / 1535

Powertrain (Gasoline engines)

Engine: 1.5L I-4 2.0L I-4
GM RPO Code: LFV LTG
Layout: Inline 4 Inline 4
Aspiration: turbocharged turbocharged
Displacement (cu in / cc): 90.9 / 1490 122 / 1998
Block material: cast aluminum cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT
Fuel delivery: side direct fuel injection side direct fuel injection
Drive Wheels: FWD FWD
Horsepower (kW / hp @ rpm): 125 / 168 @ 5600 192 / 257 @ 5400
Torque (Nm / lb.-ft. @ rpm): 252 / 185 @ 2000-4000 350 / 258 @ 2000-5000 RPM
Transmission: 9-speed automatic 9-speed automatic
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec): 9.5 7.2
Combined FE (L/100km): 6.3 7.4
Fuel-saving technology: automatic engine start/stop automatic engine start/stop

Powertrain (Hybrid model)

Engine: 1.8L I-4
GM RPO Code: LKN
Aspiration: atmospheric / naturally-aspirated
Displacement (cu in / ml): 110 / 1796
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT
Fuel delivery: side direct fuel injection
Max rated power (kW / hp @ RPM): 94 / 126 @ 5000
Max torque (Nm / lb-ft @ RPM): 175 / 129 @ 4750
Main electric motor max. power (kW / hp @RPM): 60 / 80 @ 4000
Main electric motor max. torque (Nm / lb-ft @ RPM): 275 / 203 @ 0-4000
Assistant electric motor max. power (kW / hp @ RPM): 54 / 72 @ 4000
Assistant electric motor max. torque (Nm / lb-ft @ RPM): 140 / 103 @ 0-4000
Combined max. power (kW / hp): 136 / 182
Combined max. torque (Nm / lb-ft): 380 / 280
Battery unit capacity (kWh): 1.5
Drive Wheels: FWD
Transmission: Electric Variable Transmission (EVT)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec): 8.8
Combined FE (L/100km): 4.3
Fuel-saving technology: automatic engine start/stop and exhaust thermal energy recycling

Wheels & Tires

Metric / Model 20T Vantage 20T Elite 20T Luxury 20T Prestige 28T Dignity 28T Prestige 30H Elite 30H Luxury
Wheels: 16-inch double five-spoke fashion aluminum alloy wheels 17-inch five-spoke sport aluminum alloy wheels 17-inch five-spoke sport aluminum alloy wheels 17-inch five-spoke sport aluminum alloy wheels 18-inch multi-spoke dual-color aluminum alloy wheels 18-inch multi-spoke dual-color aluminum alloy wheels 17-inch five-spoke sport aluminum alloy wheels 17-inch five-spoke sport aluminum alloy wheels
Tires: 205/65R16 225/55R17 225/55R17 225/55R17 245/45R18 245/45R18 215/55R17 215/55R17

Capacities

Metric / Model 20T Vantage 20T Elite 20T Luxury 20T Prestige 28T Dignity 28T Prestige 30H Elite 30H Luxury
Trunk capacity (L / cu ft): 441 / 15.6 441 / 15.6 441 / 15.6 441 / 15.6 434 / 15.3 434 / 15.3 328 / 11.6 328 / 11.6
Fuel tank capacity (L / gal): 55 / 14.5 55 / 14.5 55 / 14.5 55 / 14.5 62 / 16.4 62 / 16.4 49 / 13 49 / 13

Following were our expectations of the 2018 Buick Regal prior to its official unveiling:

  • Available in four-door sedan (Buick Regal Sedan) and five-door wagon (Buick Regal Wagon or Buick Regal Tourx) body styles
  • Longer than the model it replaces, with more interior room, especially in the rear seat as a result of a longer wheelbase and more efficient space utilization
  • Unveiled in 2016 or 2017 as a 2018 model year vehicle
  • All-new exterior design in line with the latest Buick-Opel-Vauxhall design language
  • All-new interior that is of a higher quality and is also more space-efficient than the last-gen model, resulting in more interior room
  • Based on GM’s new global E2XX platform directly shared with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, giving the 2018 Regal a transverse engine orientation sending power to the front wheels asstandard with all-wheel drive as an option
  • We expect the 2018 Regal to be roughly 300 pounds (136 kg) lighter than last-generation Regal thanks to the light-weighting efforts of the new E2 platform. The lighter curb weight will result in better fuel economy as well as driving characteristics such as acceleration, braking, and handling
  • New turbo-charged engine lineup:
    • The base engine could be the new 1.5L LFV Ecotec motor
    • The up-level engine will likely continue being the 2.0L Turbo I4 LTG in the Regal Turbo
    • All engines will likely be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission
  • The latest IntelliLink infotainment system
  • The latest active safety, driver assistance, and accident prevention systems
  • High-performance Regal GS model will likelky return making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, sending power to all four wheels via an advanced all-wheel-drive system
  • Starting from the mid-$30,000 range
  • Very closely related if not identical to the upcoming 2017 Opel Insignia/Vauxhall Insignia and next-generation 2018 Holden Commodore

2018 Buick Regal Pages

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