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When I drove Sonata it did not have same quality feeling as Regal or even Fusion. Having nice interior and powerful engine (difficult to modulate power delivery though for my taste) is not enough to qualify for premium status. BTW I am not considering Fusion - too much bling outside, dated and cheap interior design sucks. I would rather prefer Lincoln but I think it is not there yet for the price. Ford evidently saved money designing MKZ, it simply does not look like serious focused effort, like say A4 or CTS. It feels essentially like Fusion with better interior and exterior. But even MKZ exterior being more elegant than Fusion's still has the same quality of budget car. When you see Regal you immediately recognize it is a premium (or even may be luxury) car. And there is I guess reason for that. Opel always was a budget car and savings were evident everywhere including interior and exterior. But apparently GM decided to move Opel upmarket to compete with VW for Chevrolet to take its place. New Regal is more upscale than previous Opel Vectras which always had an appeal of rental car (see Saturn Aura e.g.).
The Acura TL is more competitive with the A4, but the A4 has also positioned itself to compete with the TSX by limiting its 2011 engine choice to the 211 hp 2.0 liter 4...a great little engine, but not directly comparable with Mercedes and BMW engines.
I don't see what you see with the Regal. It is a nice car, has a nice interior, but it is hardly a standout. And after seeing the exterior a few times, the styling strikes me as relatively plain and somewhat derivative. That said, it should hold up pretty well for the next few years. To me, Regals get lost among the Lacrosses and Chevrolets at the Chevrolet-Buick-GMC dealer where I examined them closely (not to mention Maximas, Infiniti Gs, even Altima from some angles).
Beauty of course is in the eye of the beholder. I still am attracted enough to the current A4 even after 3 model years (09,10, 11) that I am considering pulling the trigger there. Regal could still entice me if it shed a few pounds, or eked better mpg out of that 4 cylinder.
Also notice Volvo S60. It is small car - a little bit bigger than Ford Focus but much smaller than Regal and did you notice how much it weights (and costs)? 3548 lbs FWD 2.5L version. Another overpriced and overweight European car and looks ugly too. At least Regal is bigger. Man, why there are so many ugly cars in showrooms? When this wierdness will end?
The fusion was redesigned for 2010 so I'm not sure how you can say it needs a new exterior and interior ASAP. It's relatively new and its sales are pretty close to that of the 2011 Sonata.
By the way, it's funny, what you said about Nissan is what people have said about Buick for many many years. I would say the same thing about the Lacrosse myself. The new regal is the only one that looks appealing to the eye.
BTW I just got my MT COTY copy. Both Regal and Sonata are among COTY finalists. You cannot beat Sonata for value but they did not like 2.0T , steering and chassy. They preferred 2.4L I4. The reason they explained 2.0T harsh sound and lack of refinement. On Regal they did not like either engine and transmission but said that it has the best interior materials quality among other cars.
To me the main thing about a vehicle is - how does it drive. Braking, acceleration, cornering, and traction; at least in anything above an entry-level vehicle. Utility follows those things as a consideration. I would put styling and materials near the bottom of what's important in a vehicle. I'd rather retire a couple of months earlier then spend extra money for style.
So this is why I don't really see the Regal as being anything new and exciting for Buick. It's a nice, expensive, but dynamically boring vehicle without much utility.
I compare vehicles by size, performance, and functionality, and that is why I see comparable vehicles out there for much less $. If you're going to spend $30K on a vehicle at least get something with close to 300 hp or will tow a trailer.
Your criteria would rule out all premium brands, not just the Regal. There is a significant market that does not see things the same way. Not saying which is right and which is wrong, if any. Makes one question why you are posting on this board though.
Sounds to me like you haven't actually driven the Regal in any event.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The Fusion was not new in 2010. It was a mid-cycle refresh. Although the interior was upgraded, the grill modified a lot (more bling added), and the rear end and tail lights tweaked, it is the exact same body (not just the hard points and dimensions, but doors, windows, roofline, wheel cut outs, etc.) as the car introduced as a 2006 model in 2005. Nevertheless, Ford does not need to do anything more with it immediately, since sales are going very well. I have always loved Fords, but given the number of terrific mid-size cars, I might not choose it over some others.
Ford really called it right by not taking the bailout funds. Lots of new customers came as a result of that, and so what if the car bought isn't the absolute best in its class? All the Fords right now are competitive and worth owning. With the exception of the Ranger (before your hackles go up, I've owned three of them, but marketing this old slow pig without significant changes since the 1993 and 1998 refreshes--and remember the platform goes back to 1984--in 2011 is sort of like deciding to continue the Crown Victoria...which thankfully is no longer in showrooms).
Anyway, the Sonata is popular and it has garnered many deserved accolades. But it was obviously not designed to compete against A4, TSX, Regal, S60, G2.5, not to mention BMW 3 series. If posters here point out that cars like the Sonata and 2011 Optima and Kizashi, etc. offer more toys for the money, it is just a fact and something to take into consideration (if you want to buy a near-luxury ride, rather than a plebeian mid-size like the Sonata). Overall, all cars have gotten so much better that some people will be satisfied with saving a few thousand and having what they want, even if no one points at it and says wow. I love that you love Regal. You are not alone, and GM may survive as a result. And that as Martha says is a good thing.
I don't see anything premium in the base 4-cyl engine, or in their turbo which I've test-driven in a Pontiac Solstice GXP, a lighter vehicle, where it is still nothing exciting.
I'd think the Regal could at least have an engine like the V-6 in the Mustang, giving 300+hp and over 30 mpg highway, in about the same size vehicle. That is not even a premium vehicle, selling for $22K. What's the fully loaded Regal costing? Come on ... the "young-man, sporty" Regal gets smoked by a base Regal at any stoplight.
I would like to see U.S. auto companies succeed. But they're not going to do it by investing a lot of money in a low-selling vehicle. Chevrolet has nothing selling in volume, that doesn't get a large percentage of its sales from fleet-sales. I thought maybe Buick would change, and get some sales and profit here in the U.S., instead of being a Chinese brand. GM needs some "homeruns" in the market. The Regal justs happens to disappoint me, when I'm expecting a better and less costly vehicle then other vehicles in that size vehicle.
So I have a negative opinion, you have a positive opinion. Both sides of the coin being discussed here. If you want to negate my opinion, make a case of why the Regal is great. I think people who are considering a Regal ought to hear both sides; this isn't cheerleading camp.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
This Regal is not that far apart from the 39k CTS. And at 255 a month for a 28K car, with 2500.00
down, for 38 months I think that's a terrific deal for us. Sun roof,heated seats,leather,bluetooth, 18 inch wheels, etc. Fit and finish are very nice and I like how quite it is compared to the Sonata.
We will see how everything works out, but so far we love our car.
2. A base Mustang is much more sparsely equipped than a base regal and the Mustang is competing in a totally different segment
3. Four cylinder engines are going to become more mainstream in luxury vehicles. Audi and Acura already have models with I4s and BMW will add four cylinders in the future. Its been reported that the new small RWD Cadillac will also come with an I4 standard.
4.No one owes any explanation of why the regal is "great". No one has even made such a claim. People have claimed that its a nice handling, attractive car with a nice interior available for under $30k. The ONLY thing the regal gives up to CC and TSX is acceleration. Aside from that its every bit as well built and refined as those cars. If you think the Regal is so inferior you should make a case for why its competitors are "great".
So how Regal and Sonata compare in this regard, can you educate us please? I test drove both and compared in wrote about it in series on posts. Of course I was not able to test them on track for extended period of time but I least I tried as much as I could. I did not see comparison review from serious car magazines yet, but according to MT Buick has better handling and steering than Sonata. Regarding brakes in Sonata they are rather grabby and in Regal are more linear.
I don't think he's attacking the Sonata so much as defending the Regal, as there have been comparisons made to the point that the Sonata is faster and cheaper, so "why bother with the Regal"
We compare Sonata to Regal because both have 2.0T and 2.4L engines and other similarities as well, like size.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Ihave driven the plain jane Sonata and the Turbo and I have also driven the Regal. If you are on a tight budget I'd suggest the Sonata, If U can afford a little more, go with the Regal, It's a better car. I have the same dilemma. Lease on a Sonata in NYC is between $179 and $199.00 for a 36 month lease. The lease on a Regal is between $279 amd $291 for a 36 month lease. That $80.00 difference is a major factor for most people.
what I am looking for on this forum is if people are having problems with their Regal, U know those minor nuisance problems that are not major but just irritating. As I write a dealer just called me to offer me a deal on the Regal
I actually compared Infinity audio system in Sonata to Buick's base audio in my comparison test post and said Buick's sounds better. But it may be that FM radio (or XM radio) is not a quality in Hyundai. But it does not sound clean regardless of reason.
Infiniti G25 is something more relevant to compare Regal with and I am going to do that.
Both lease for $361 a month! Which would you pick? I am at a loss. I really like the Jetta, but really prefer the SEL.
I am including the Regal, because it is so nice and the fact that it is a $28k car and I can lease it for $361!! The Jetta is only about $21k. Very classy and sharp! The interior is amazing! The black looks very good! Top notch! The space for my family is nice. Drives nice, but lacks that oomph out on the highway. Jetta would have that engine to have some fun with.
Keep in mind, I am trading my current lease with under $2k negative equity. I cannot wait any longer! Must make a move now.
I really want the Jetta, however I am a little bummed that they did cheapen the interior. It is not too exciting. That is why I wanted the SEL. It seemed a bit more appealing. But, way too much for lease. Not when I can lease a $28k Regal and have a HUGE list of features and beautiful interior and less a month.
But, it does not have the engine power I want. Perhaps I could lease a Turbo!
I am going to make sure if I lease I will have enough miles to cover everything.
was flashing. But I was impressed with my initial drive. It's what I want in a car.
I am not sure why GM has not improved or updated their base 4cyl to be more strong and powerful. It is very dated in terms of what other 4's offer today. Many had purchased the V6 in a GM car in the past for this reason.
See, again we are already looking to get the Turbo. If they offered a V6, people would opt for it too. Not as much as before, but they would.
The Regal to me, with the base engine is a bit unfinished. About 85% there.
The Regal still has me looking. I do like it. I could live with the engine.
Thanks for the review of the turbo, let us know about the interstate drive!
The 2.4L without DI that preceded the Regal's engine had 169hp and 161 lb-ft of torque so the current 2.4 DI is in fact an upgrade over that engine.
If you throw out the wild car sonata, most midsize sedans with NA engine make 173-190hp and the Regal makes 182hp- it's right in the mix. The CC has a turbo standard so it makes 200hp- and requires premium fuel.