Buick Regal 2.0T Review
A few months ago, actually, exactly 16 weeks ago, I woke up on a Saturday morning and stumbled into my home office to see if my email client would give me the day off, or burden me with the unnecessary emailing that a white collar existence delivers. I didn’t get very far into my emails when my wife burst through the door and waved what looked like a long white pen under my nose and screamed something about two red lines, and in an instant, I had become a father.
Becoming a father does strange things to your thought process, you start thinking about roof racks, car trunk space, and it even effects your body, no longer can you flush the toilet and start to pee and ‘beat’ the flush, every trip to the toilet results in a five minute pee, or a dad pee as it is now known. Obviously becoming a father I needed a new car, if my wife was having a baby, I wanted something out of this deal too, I got to choose a new car. She said ‘Go choose something sensible’
First things first, I went to the Mitsubishi garage to have a look at an Evo, then to the Subaru garage to look at their Impreza WRX. Both fine vehicles with fantastic specifications and certainly within the realms of being a ‘father vehicle’, i.e. plenty of trunk space for pushchairs and diapers. I thought about buying another, bigger SUV as my Qashqai’s trunk is woefully tiny. I wrote the Toyota Highlander off as being too big, the same for the imported Hyundai Sante-fe, If I move to Shanghai later this year I don’t want to be stuck in traffic in a two tonne vehicle, I know what I wanted, it has to be something small but fast.
Nothing in the VW camp excites me, aside from the Golf GTI but then its estimated price tag of 230,000rmb is a lot of change to swallow for a small hatchback, so I looked at other 2.0 Turbo cars on the market, the VW Magotan (yawn inducing) the 2.5GT Subaru Legacy, the Forrester 2.5Turbo (are the doors made from recycled moth wings?) and then I got to the Buick Regal 2.0T.
Buicks have the reputation of being old peoples cars in the USA, probably due to the luxury interiors that practically drown you and the softer than jello suspension, but not the Chinese Buick range. The Chinese Buick range is a mix and match of Korean, Australian and Germanic cars under the American badge, which gives it a great mix of cars from MPV’s to whopping great rear wheel drive sedans. The Regal is their mid size sedan, a notch below the Lacrosse, but higher than the Korean designed Excelle.
The Regal 2.0T interior is interesting enough, the seats are black leather (great for keeping clean) they comfortable with good back support, but I personally found the supports on the lower part to be rather cramped for my 32inch waist, Im only 179cm tall, and weigh 82kg, so I’m not entirely sure how Americans with their larger rears are going to fit into the 2011 American market version, unless of course GM change it for that market. The rear seating area gives enough leg space, and is probably on par with a Ford Focus in that respect, my wife said it was comfortable anyway. Upfront the driver gets heated seats, (but none in the back) a decent sized GPS Navigation screen (that actually works really well) and a few different buttons and knobs. It looks overly complicated, but a daily driver would probably be able to find their way around the console panel with relative ease after a week or so. The steering wheel is small affair, but it gives off a racing vibe and gives you a very good view of the speedo.
It looks like there is a lot of room in the trunk for push chairs and other things that babies require, like being locked in there when they cry too much.
I’vedriven a few turbo powered cars, I thought my friends 2.5 turbo Subaru Forrester was a blast, real raw power coming from a fantastic sounding engine but mated to a 4 speed autobox. The Regal 2.0T is not the same sound, its more of a gentleman’s power, but it can take you from standing to 100kph in 7.7seconds, its easy to forget that this is a seriously powerful car with 220bhp when you’re surrounded in lots and lots of cow hide, buttons, and digital displays, also the 2.0T will take you to a top speed of 232kph. The turbo sounds a little noisy, but I always like the sound of the turbo, knowing it is there sucking in lots of lovely O2 to combust. The 6speed gearbox is not as fluid as Nissan’s Xtronic CVT offerings which don’t have the noticeable gear change, but Buick’s challenger is still very good as it stands.
So would I buy one? Yes, I would. The new Regal is very good looking, and in 2.0T guise it is a gentleman’s rocket. Best of all, it is the fastest cheapest Chinese built car in China, there maybe more powerful vehicles, but they don’t have the same style of interiors or are as comfortable. The Regal 2.0T is a relative bargain at nearly 260,000rmb for its performance that is challenged by a seldom few challengers from domestically built vehicles and imports alike.
Two problems remain though, the 2.0T doesnt come with parking sensors as standard, and I cant stop thinking how strange this sounds: “I drive a Buick”
Previously on CCT:
Naturally aspirated Buick Regal Test Drive
Girl goes crazy for Regal
1.6T Buick Regal Launch
(No Ratings Yet)
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Congrats on being a dad CCT. I am sure you will be happy with the Regal which is really a German car. A good German car at that.
I see what you are saying about the cramped seats. I am 5 foot 5 inches also 32 waist and drive a 2001 Mercedes C240 which I sometimes find a little cramped. I always wondered how “Americans with larger rears” feel driving in some of the smaller European cars.
Mozeltoff on your pending fatherhood!
Yep, that Buick is one of the few GMs I would buy…Have you ever driven the 3 series Ash? How would you compare the two ?
thanks.
I drove an A4L 2.0TSI, Magotan, BMW 320, Merc C200.
I personally prefer the Regal out of all of them on power, price, and luxury level. The A4L wins for rear leg space and boot space, Merc for best front end, but I cannot afford the V6 version with the brilliant grill, instead its the 1.8T with the so-so grill.
You have peaked my interest in driving this car. But I could never say I drive a Buick. Tiger Woods was paid how many million by them and doesn’t even drive one.
Woods was injured when his Cadillac SUV struck a fire hydrant and a tree just beyond his driveway at 2:25 a.m. Friday. Police said his lips were cut and blood was in his mouth when officers arrived. Police chief Daniel Saylor said Woods’ wife, Elin, smashed the back window with a golf club to help get him out.
This is new Buick, not old Buick.
New Buick is awesome, old Buick is dire.
Not sure New Buick can recover from its name in the US.
Congratulations.
Sounds like a good review, surprised with the power for the cost, seems like a very good value if you can get past the branding – I’d much prefer the package with a little lightning bolt instead of what my grandparents used to drive.
Congrats on becoming a new father!
Please do not make a reference to putting children in the trunk of a car. (because they are crying) This may seem so trivial to you; but many children have died in the trunk of a vehicle.
Do the Buick’s (and other vehicles sold there) have the glow-in-the-dark trunk release inside the trunk compartment?
And a very well built car – GM still admit that their Chinese built Buicks are way ahed of their USA built models.
If they make a Wagon version, Id buy it RIGHT NOW, but I think only the Astra-Excelle XT is likely to come in wagon form
Congrats Ash on the good news (on being a dad and impending purchase of new car)!
The Regal “T” appears to be a sweet ride. I’m a bit surprised to hear how cramped it is in the rear, though this is not unexpected judging from the exterior. I guess this is one area where the Regal differs from the new LaCrosse. But based on the photo of the instrument cluster, it looks like fuel economy is not a strong point of this car (or maybe the reviewers were having a bit of fun).
Fuel economy is probably* good, if you dont hammer it (impossible)
Another car I am thinking about is the Suburu Outback 2.5L, also just been launched but will only use 97 gasoline in China, which just keeps getting more and more expensive.
Not to mention it’s hard to find (97 gas that is) in the more rural areas.
A friend was telling me about his buddy’s brand new A8, who drove it waidi one weekend and couldn’t find any 97 gas.
Are there pricemodelspeed comparisons available? For example, I like the
260k rmb 2.0T 1-100 7.7, top 232kmph @ 220bhp
information, but what about the non-turbo versions…comparing price & power?
You can find pricing and specs here:
http://www.che168.com/1319/
For your convenience, here is a summary:
2.0L: 179.9k/199.9k RMB, 0-100 11.4s, top 197km/h, 147ps
1.6T (6-spd manual): 199.9k RMB, 0-100 9.2s, top 215km/h, 180ps
2.4L: 199.9k/225.9k/245.9k RMB, 0-100 9.8s, top 205km/h, 170ps
2.0T: 255.9k RMB, 0-100 7.7s, top 232km/h, 220ps
Thanks, exactly what I wanted.
Sorry, just realized the link doesn’t work. You have to go to the main page (www.che168.com) and select the make and model from the drop-downs.
Another thing, since the 2.0T is the same engine that’s used in the Pontiac Solstice/Opel GT, I was thinking about what it would take to get the Regal up to 264ps spec. I have a feeling it’s not too much, based on the following:
Pontiac Solstice GXP/Opel GT:
194 kW (264 ps) @ 5300 RPM
353 Nm (260 lb-ft) @ 5300 RPM
Buick Regal/Opel Insignia 2.0T:
162 kW (220 ps) @ 5300 RPM
350 N·m (260 lb-ft) @ 2000-4000 RPM
Notice the max torque ratings. It’s probably as simple as a chip remapping and intake/exhaust to get the torque to stay flat up to 5300 RPM. And the tranny should be able to handle it as long as the max torque stays the same. I wonder if any Insignia owners have tried this?
Oh, it looks like I asked too soon. Check this out:
http://www.smchiptuning.com/auto/opel/insignia/2.0-turbo/220
Original SM Optimum SM Power
Snaga (KS/rpm) 220/5300 259/5340 281/5370
Obrtni moment (Nm/rpm) 350/2000 414/1980 440/1970
Cijena (euro) 500 650
Sign me up for an “SM Power” please!
Ugh, formatting got wrecked…
Anyways, the “SM Power” package brings power up to 281ps @5370 and torque 440 N-m @1970. This is what I call beastly!
And it appears to be just a chip upgrade.
That is brilliant, Its just gone up in my estimation.
Now if they only did a 2.0T Wagon, like in Europe.
Oh, so you’re a wagon man? If so, do a search for Insignia OPC Sports Tourer – this will really have you drooling.
Great info Gerald, thanks.
One other think I forgot to ask, is the external body exactly the same on the new turbo models as the previous non-t?
Hi Rick, I believe the body is the same as the non-T models. The only difference I can see being some “T” badging on the sides and rear.
Is this going to be a baby carrier or a speed mobile CCT?
Both, I still need to carry mountain bikes at the weekend, push chair, tubby wife, and a lot of other baby related things.
Of course thats why I was wondering why you were so concerned re o-110km, top speeds and etc etc
Ash,
Many congratulations on your impending fatherhood!
However, I thought that you were planning to give the MG6 1.8 Turbo some serious consideration… Mind you, I have yet to see any shots of the MG6′s boot so guess that may not, in fact, now be as fit for purpose as the Buick Regal/Opel/Vauxhall Insignia.
The buick is apocalypticly bland.There is many other manufacture’s out there with the same product.Ford Mondeo,Renault Laguna just to name but two. Its a balding middle aged rep’s car.Just to give you some idea,I have seen better upholsted park benchs than the rear seats in this vehicle and thats just one of my gripes.
On the plus side the Vauxhall Insignia,a inbred cousin of the Buick has the n-cap 5star rating,which brings me round to Janette’s thread about the placing of offspring in the trunk,very insensitive, you should always place a baby monitor in there to.However what begs the question to glow in the dark trunk release switches inside the trunk,really baffels me,what does she do in trunks or is this the general norm for Buick drivers.
The Buick is expensively bland at 230,000rmb for around 100,000rmb you could buy a Brilliance BS4. Pinifarina designed and large enough to carry everything a young family could need. With the change well the man about town could buy the
http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/Content.aspx?f=gtrintro.
I’m to old to die young, yet to young to buy a Buick……..
Interesting comments, soon2b. I’ve never been inside the new Regal so I’ll have to take your word for it. Being an owner of a MkIII Mondeo, I don’t mind your “dissing” of the Regal.
As for the the exterior styling, it has started to grow old in my eyes. Perhaps there are just too many on the road now. Though I wouldn’t call it “bland”.
Gerald,Ask Ash about the soon2b bit. Car reviews should not wax lyrically to the vehicle, this makes an expectant punter easy prey in a car showroom, waiting for the salesman hovering round with vulture like intent. It should also point out the worst bits and therefore produce discussion and, or debate.
Take a look at the photo’s enlarge them.
There is more padding in Norah Batty’s surgical stocking than in the back seat of this vehicle.
The sloping roof line means there is a limited amount of glass in the rear quarter adding the large rear pillars means a large blind spots.
I notice you said “it has started to grow old in my eyes” which in an adjective phrase means Bland,Mild,Tastless,unstimulating, insipid.
Which is what I said in my first thread, Apocalypticly Bland.
soon2b, thanks for the hint – I think I get it now. And congrats to you too.
I’ll reserve further judgement on the Regal until I get a chance to get close to one in person, but I can see how that sloping roof would present problems for rear visibility and headroom. And I must say the lack of backup sensors is very surprising indeed.
As for the styling, while seeing one doesn’t turn my head anymore I wouldn’t quite put it in the bland bucket yet – that’s reserved for the likes of Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Epica, etc.
Anyways, I’ve enjoyed your comments and I hope we’ll be hearing more from, CCT Sr.