2011 Buick Regal CXL Review

No V6 for you!
Bravery comes in many shapes and sizes. And, it can be rewarded or, in this case, at least applauded. The new 2011 Buick Regal cannot, no mistake here, be motivated by a 6-cylinder engine. Wisely, the Regal gets around thanks to two sophisticated 4-cylinder engines. Base cars get their mojo from the 182-hp, 2.4L ECOTEC 4-cylinder, complete with direct injection.

Base Regals get their mojo from the 182-hp, 2.4L ECOTEC 4-cylinder, complete with direct injection. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

As with most DI motors around, performance is linear and well suited to daily tasks of carrying people on motorways and doing groceries. The Regal's 4-pot is audible but in a world of shrinking V6s, the refinement level of this powerplant is well matched to the car and will please most users.

Should 182 hp not be enough (and I do understand), opting for the word Turbo after the CXL nomenclature opens up a new world of possibilities. Although I only briefly drove a Turbo, I have to admit that I was so impressed with the powertrain's flawless operation that I forgot I was at the wheel of a car powered by forced induction. Yes, a turbo can be that seamless AND put a smile on your face.

The standard-equipment 6-speed autobox is also an example of docile engineering, so long as you don't shove it too hard. Normal driving not only rewards the driver with fuel consumption numbers hovering in the high 9 L/100 km, but with a box that swaps gears in a dignified manner. In the event that the pilot should want to rush the Regal, the transmission will not oblige in the same manner: it will do a little annoying hunting before it settles.

Not a Buick!
This Regal does not float over bumps and ruts, enough to make you lose your early-bird dinner... Oops, let that one go... This Buick holds the road and forgives pavement surface irregularities. As it stands, half of the Japanese mid-size cars can't handle for their life whereas the others are quite good at it (compare that to the fact that nearly all Koreans do now...). The Regal slots in with those that transmit pleasure and confidence to the driver; it's a wonderful thing to be European, or German in this case!

Almost perfect
I found little wrong with any of the car's mechanicals except one thing did stick with me throughout the week's test: The Regal is impressive but feels as though all the dots were not connected when it was on the assembly line...

I noticed a few unsightly, for this day and age, noises coming from what seemed like the deepest recesses in the cabin, some of the fit and materials were not ideal but in retrospect, I think I'm only being difficult because this is such a good car.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that thinks this way as the AJAC recently awarded the Regal with the title of Best New Family Car over $30,000. On that topic, the Regal's price ranges from $31,990 to under $44,000.

The Regal is impressive but feels as though all the dots were not connected when it was on the assembly line... (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)