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It combines European driving dynamics, neat sport-sedan styling, and a significant amount of elegance.
Buick has created a profitable niche as a manufacturer of understatedly appealing, premium vehicles. It falls between mainstream Chevys and costly Cadillacs in GM's world. Buick's inventory isn't large. It includes crossovers in three popular sizes, ranging from the charming, tiny Encore to the compact Envision to the roomy, three-row mid-size Enclave.
One of the best sedans GM has ever produced is the 2015 Buick Regal. It combines European driving dynamics, neat sport-sedan styling, and a significant amount of elegance. It's probably the best evidence available for Buick's efforts to establish itself as a premium (if not full-luxury) brand.
The Regal debuted in 2011, and since then, with the help of a turbocharged engine, cutting-edge safety features, and an innovative infotainment system, it has gotten closer and closer to the luxury category. The Regal is based on an Opel vehicle. Although it was an amazing vehicle, it never really racked up sales.
So how amazing is the infamous 2015 Buick Regal?
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The 2015 Buick Regal is quite unlike the older notchback Regals or even the bloated, marshmallow-like sedans from more past times.
The sheet metal is swoopy and tightly drawn in all the essential spots, giving it the appearance of a relative athlete in the Buick stable since 2011. Additionally, the inside has improved in appearance and has become largely intuitive, with a stylish combination of controls, screens, and electronics.
The year before, the Regal had a simple, elegant interior. Crisp LED-lit gauges accentuate the low instrument panel, and the shield-shaped central stack of controls is framed by high-quality trim. The large shield of controls on the center stack blends better into the dash, and an 8.0-inch LCD touchscreen replaces a smaller screen.
In contrast, a 4.2-inch screen buried between new gauges displays information from the optional navigation system, phone, audio system, and car. An 8.0-inch LCD screen replaces the center of the gauge cluster on the Regal GS with an adjustable appearance for different driving modes.
The sweeping lines and metallic accents on the doors convey an air of sophistication; on GS models, the white-stitched black leather seats do the same.
The interior trim options for Regal owners include piano-black plastic, dark wood dubbed Kibo, or satin metallic interior trim. Buick recommends the satin interior trim because it doesn't date the cabin or leave it soiled with fingerprints.
There are only a few throwback features: the 19- and 20-inch wheels are more of a concession to traditional American style than to contemporary handling and engineering, and the Regal has a waterfall grille.
The Nike-like swoosh pressed into the doors is the telling detail. The Regal is still stunning and dressed out even better for the 2015 model year with LED "wings" factored into its headlamps and taillights, as well as a retouched grille and a metallic band that connects the taillamps. The Regal may be the best-looking four-door GM has in its stable today.
There are 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines in both the basic Regal and the GS.
With the 6-speed automatic transmission, the Regal accelerates quite quickly and performs above average. However, the basic 6-speed manual transmission should not be overlooked if you want a lively Regal. The manual gearbox is excellent and precise.
One of the most surprising characteristics of the double overhead cam Regal turbo engines is their lack of throttle hesitancy or turbo lag.
If you creep along in high gear at 20 mph and then abruptly floor it, there will be a lot of hunting around for a few moments, but this isn't in the engine. It takes a few moments for the automatic transmission to shift down three gears and gain some leverage. Otherwise, this powertrain is prepared to pull hard anytime the pedal screams, "Let's go."
The basic Regal is a comfortable vehicle that most drivers find satisfactory.
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Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side-impact airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on the 2015 Buick Regal. Premium II and GS models come equipped with rear-seat side airbags.
Automatic crash warning, on-demand roadside help, an emergency button, a stolen vehicle locator, and remote door unlock are all standard features of the OnStar system.
Blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a frontal collision warning system are all included in the optional Driver Confidence Package #1. The Driver Confidence Package #2 includes a more advanced frontal collision prevention technology that initiates automated braking in possible collision situations.
The Regal got the highest possible five-star rating in government crash tests, including four stars for overall frontal collision safety and five stars for overall side-impact safety.
In moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof-strength crash testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Regal it's highest rating of "Good." IIHS also gave whiplash protection in rear impacts a "Good" rating for the Regal's seat and head restraint arrangement.
Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears.