2018 Buick Regal GS

The 2018 Buick Regal GS is powered by a V-6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels via an advanced all-wheel-drive system.

Engine

Power comes from the GM 3.6L V-6 LGX engine making 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. The refined engine features new technologies such as direct injection, cylinder deactivation (to four cylinders) and seamless engine auto stop/start.

Compared to the outgoing Regal GS, the new model makes 51 more horsepower 13 less pound-feet of torque.

The V-6 engine is complemented by a sport-tuned dual exhaust system.

Transmission

Doing shifting duty is the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission that is more refined than the six-speed unit it replaces in the previous-generation Regal GS.

Intelligent AWD

Power is sent to all four wheels using an intelligent AWD system with an active twin clutch that can precisely transfer torque between the rear wheels for more refined and efficient performance.

“With the all-new 2018 Regal GS, we set out to make a driver-focused, engaging and entertaining sport sedan without sacrificing the smooth ride and refined character expected of any modern Buick,” said Martin Hayes, chief engineer for the Buick Regal GS. “Our new V-6 and nine-speed transmission, intelligent AWD and CDC all work to deliver excellent driving performance.”

The Regal GS features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a five-link rear suspension.

Every Regal GS features Buick’s Interactive Drive Control. Analogous to the little brother to GM’s highly-admired Magnetic Ride Control, IDC allows the driver to tailor the car’s dynamics based on different drive experiences through a standard setting or Sport and GS modes selected via the center console. Interactive Drive Control utilizes Buick’s second-generation Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which is able to adjust suspension damping up to 500 times per second.

Versus a standard 2018 Regal Sportback, the Regal GS has standard Brembo front brake calipers that provide confident stopping power.

Outside, Buick’s signature sculptural beauty presents the Regal GS’ sporting nature in an understated way, with aggressive front and rear fascias, side skirts and rear spoiler unique to the GS model, as well as standard 19-inch wheels, a rear decklid spoiler and GS badging front and rear. Full LED headlamps are optional.

The vehicle is available exclusively in a sportback body style, as introduced by the non-GS Regal Sportback. The vehicle features a liftback-style rear hatch, as opposed to a sedan with a traditional trunk, as seen on the 2018 Buick Regal Sedan.

2018 Buick Regal GS Sportback has a shorter decklid than the Regal Sedan sold in China

The Chinese-market Buick Regal Sedan has a longer decklid compared to the North American-market Regal Sportback

Inside, the Regal GS takes the inviting and ergonomic interior seen in the Regal to new levels with unique features, including:

• Perforated GS-specific and AGR-certified performance seats that are heated, cooled and massaging with adjustable seat and seat-back bolsters, thigh support with integrated headrests, and adjustable lumbar and thigh support bolsters
  • The seats are heated and ventilated and come standard with a massage function
• Standard sport heated flat-bottom sport steering wheel
• GS-specific pedals
• GS-specific sill plates
• Available head-up display

In-Vehicle Technology

The 2018 Regal GS also offers a cohesive and connected infotainment experience with an 8-inch diagonal touchscreen and a 8-inch diagonal reconfigurable instrument cluster as standard equipment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility both come standard.

The aforementioned full-color head-up display is available with the optional Driver Confidence II package that also includes several safety features including:

• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking

Every Regal also comes equipped with a 3 month/3 gigabyte trial of OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and access to an unlimited data plan for $20 per month, as well as five years of the free OnStar Basic Plan. Among other benefits like the myBuick app, the Basic Plan features OnStar Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help Buick owners maximize their vehicle’s overall performance and become better drivers.

The 2018 Regal GS starts at $39,990 with destination charges. The starting price excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees.

Where

The 2018 Buick Regal GS is sold in North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) and in China. However, the North American version is of the Sportback body style, while the Chinese model is offered as a traditional sedan. Additionally, the North American-market Regal GS features a unique and upgraded powertrain along with exterior and interior enhancements when compared to the regular Regal Sportback model. Meanwhile, the Chinese model only features enhancements to the exterior and interior.

When

The 2018 Buick Regal GS launched in the first quarter of 2018 in North America. The vehicle launched in China in July 2017.

The sixth-generation Buick Regal is available in several body styles and variants in various global markets. In Europe, the Buick Regal GS is available under the Opel brand (Vauxhall in the United Kingdom) as the Opel-Vauxhall Insignia GSi, albeit with a few variations.

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

More information:

• 2017 Opel Insignia
• 2018 Holden Commodore

The 2018 Regal GS rides on GM’s E2 platform shared with the following vehicles:

• All sixth-gen Buick Regal variants:
  • 2018 Buick Regal Sportback
  • 2018 Buick Regal TourX
  • 2018 Buick Regal Sedan
• Opel Insignia (second generation) / Vauxhall Insignia
• Holden Commodore NG
• Chevrolet Malibu (second generation)
• Cadillac XT4 (first generation)
• Buick LaCrosse (third generation), which rides on the long wheelbase variant of E2 platform

Following were our expectations of the 2018 Buick Regal GS prior to the model’s release:

• Like its non-GS brother, the 2018 Regal GS will be based on GM’s new global, front-drive midsize E2XX platform shared directly with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The E2XX architecture will allow the new Regal GS to drop significant amounts of weight — roughly 300 pounds (136 kg) compared to the last-generation Regal GS, helping it improve key driving characteristics such as acceleration, braking, and handling, as well as fuel economy.
• 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
• Powered by a high-output variant of GM’s 2.0L Turbo I4 LTG engine making close to 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque mated to a choice of either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, and hooking up to an advanced all-wheel drive system, like the one in the new Buick Envision crossover
• More potent handling than its non-GS brother thanks to performance-oriented enhancements to the chassis and suspension system, including:
  • Four-wheel independent suspension
  • Unique High Performance Strut (HiPer Strut) front suspension design that reduces torque steer, provides more linear and communicative steering through improved camber control, improves impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces
  • Interactive Drive Control system that allows the driver to select different drive modes
  • Four-wheel-disc brake system with front Brembo brakes
• Styling enhancements that reflect the more sporting character and performance of the GS model
• Deliver a sporty cabin thanks to features like more supportive front seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and more

We’ve seen the following evidence of the 2018 Buick Regal GS:

• July 2017: a picture of the Chinese-market Regal GS leaks
• May 2017: a fleet of camouflaged 2018 Buick Ruick Regal GSes were spied undergoing testing
• April 2017: reports of 2018 Buick Regal GS not offering a manual transmission surface
• April 2017: next-generation Buick Regal GS images leak from China
• October 2016: rumors surface that 2018 Buick Regal GS may feature torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system

Overview

Powertrain

Chassis & Suspension

Brakes & Wheels

Exterior Dimensions

Interior Dimensions

Weights & Capacities

Follow our coverage of Buick Regal GS news.