Buick unveiled two new models today; the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback and TourX.
Buick says goodbye to the sedan altogether and welcomes two new iterations of its Regal. According to press releases Buick dropped earlier today (Apr. 4, 2017) Buick unveiled its 2018 Buick Regal Sportback and Buick Regal TourX. However, don’t call the sportback a sedan or the TourX a wagon as Buick insists that you call the sportback a sportback and the TourX a “crossover in the truest sense of the word, with the drive dynamics of a car and the versatility of an SUV.” Check out a couple of press photos of each of these two newest Buicks below.
First, there’s the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback which blends the characteristics of a sedan, coupe, and hatch into one attractive package. The Sportback comes with a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder producing 250 HP and 260lb-ft. If you opt for the AWD model torque increases to 295 lb-ft. Since the Sportback is technically a hatchback that means you can swing open the trunk and rear glass as well as fold down the rear seats for more cargo room. Buick wants you to know that their Sportback has more cargo space than an Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe which happens to be its competition. Although they actively improved the suspension for handling that doesn’t mean it’s not quiet inside with tire insulation around all four corners for FWD and premium five-link suspension on AWD models.
Buick says that it’s low and tailored look hints at an advanced body structure and they’re right as Buick Regal has shed more than 200 pounds compared to last year.
Then we have the Buick Regal TourX which rides on the same backbone of the Buick but stretches the rear cargo area by 3.4 inches and rides a tad higher than Sportback. Buick pulled a Subaru and insists that it’s not a station wagon but a crossover. As far as crossovers that look like station wagon’s go, its exterior design is both attractive and athletic befitting to Buick’s name. Since this TourX is for the active, Buick has made sure if you take this crossover off the beaten path the durable fascia and fender moldings can take a moderate beating. TourX has more overall cargo space than Volvo V60 XC, Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3-series sport wagon, and Subaru Outback.
Standard on the Regal TourX is Sportback’s turbocharged four cylinder with 250 HP and 295 lb-ft paired to an 8-speed automatic as AWD is standard. Its twin-clutch system at the rear wheels means torque is split evenly depending on what the conditions demand.
Noteworthy on both models is a new safety feature that comes standard they’ve dubbed the ‘active hood pedestrian safety system.’ Paired to what we assume are cameras and sensors on the front, if your Regal Sportback and TourX senses an impact with a pedestrian between 16-30 MPH, little explosives in the back of the hood go off with the hood lifting 4 inches to lessen an impact and potentially reducing injury. We’d love to see a live demonstration of this.
Both the Sportback and TourX are extremely attractive offerings and it’s a shame we don’t have pricing yet. Gauging off the competition both are going up against we can extrapolate that Buick will try to undercut them by the slimiest of margins for that competitive edge. Both models drop in the fourth quarter of 2017.
