30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Photo Gallery
Our month with the 2013 Ram 1500 is about half over, so it's time to switch gears. The Ram's been... Read More
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…The 2.4-liter gets only a passing grade. For your average driver making an average commute over average roads, it will be just fine, but it runs out of breath at higher speeds and doesn't sound great when you push it.
The turbo engine is quiet and refined, with progressive power delivery. It’s not a startlingly fast car, but passing power is decent, and it feels competitive with the likes of an Audi A4 2.0T and the four-cylinder TSX.
The naturally aspirated engine comes with a GM Hydra-matic, while the turbo motor features a six-speed Aisin box. The Aisin snaps off clean shifts without much searching. And unlike some other recent GM autoboxes, this transmission doesn't seem obsessed with upshifting early in order to maximize fuel economy.
It’s not just the engine that’s good—so is the chassis. The steering feel is superb, with minimal torque steer effects.
It offers a European feel without being heavy to turn. In sharp turns, the Regal snaps around bends like a true sport sedan, and it feels well-planted.
PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
…The 2.4-liter gets only a passing grade. For your average driver making an average commute over average roads, it will be just fine, but it runs out of breath at higher speeds and doesn't sound great when you push it.
Automobile
The turbo engine is quiet and refined, with progressive power delivery. It’s not a startlingly fast car, but passing power is decent, and it feels competitive with the likes of an Audi A4 2.0T and the four-cylinder TSX.
Car and Driver
The naturally aspirated engine comes with a GM Hydra-matic, while the turbo motor features a six-speed Aisin box. The Aisin snaps off clean shifts without much searching. And unlike some other recent GM autoboxes, this transmission doesn't seem obsessed with upshifting early in order to maximize fuel economy.
Inside Line
It’s not just the engine that’s good—so is the chassis. The steering feel is superb, with minimal torque steer effects.
Road & Track
It offers a European feel without being heavy to turn. In sharp turns, the Regal snaps around bends like a true sport sedan, and it feels well-planted.
Cars.com
It has better handling than anything bearing the same badge, ever, and the 2012 Buick Regal now has the attention of enthusiasts with the new GS model introduced this year.
None of the Regal sedans offers a V-8, or even a V-6 engine, but the turbocharged four-cylinder in uplevel models is a welcome blast of boost from the Regal's base 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower four. It’s just adequate for smoothness and acceleration. Direct injection brings better fuel economy with it, but this Regal seems a little overwhelmed on anything other than flat surfaces, with just a driver aboard. It's only offered with a six-speed automatic, which does have a driver-control mode for hanging around in lower gears when you need. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 19/31 mpg, a notable step down in a class that includes the 35-mpg Hyundai Sonata, and even the base 33-mpg four-cylinder automatic Ford Fusion.
The mid-level Regal has a different powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 220 hp. The powerband’s much meatier and friendlier here, and it can spin tires and engage sport mode in more drivers--particularly since it's offered with a well-sorted-out manual transmission, and even the automatic comes with paddle controls for sport shifting. It’s fairly quiet on the move, and eager once you get into the thick part of the powerband. Still, the output on paper pales next to the 270-plus-horsepower posted by the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata turbo models.
New for this year is the Regal GS, which hits those horsepower bogeys and leads the charge for sporty Buicks today and tomorrow. In this state of tune, the turbo four exhales 270 horsepower, through either the six-speed manual or automatic. All-wheel drive isn't offered, but the Regal's tuned to dial out torque steer while it dials up 0-60 mph performance of well under 7.0 seconds.
Its Euro-engineered suspension gives the Regal better handling than most of the Asian competition, and brings it into the realm of the Fusion and more expensive iron like the nimble Acura TSX--especially in GS trim. With struts in front and a multi-link rear end, the Regal has a muted but responsive feel, with a well-damped ride. Base cars now have electric power steering; the hydraulic system in the turbocharged Regals isn't particularly hefty, but it's blessed with good progressive feel. Big disc brakes have a reassuring bite, too.
The Regal GS and the lesser turbo models also have an option for adjustable suspension, throttle and steering response dubbed Interactive Drive Control System. The setup provides three driving modes, with the distinction being that the base setup in the Regal GS roughly lines up with the "touring" setting in the 220-hp turbo car. With the GS, there's also a Sport and a GS mode, which progressively tighten up the handling to a level just shy of the true sports sedans from BMW. The selectable settings in the GS make a meaningful difference that lets drivers filter out harshness in more pedestrian use, and tighten up reflexes for a favorite set of curves. Given the choice, we'd leave IDCS off the mid-level car for better value, and enjoy it immensely in the GS, where it's standard equipment.
Conclusion
With the new 2012 Regal GS, this Buick crosses the line into truly sporty sedan territory.
