This new midsize sport sedan from Buick is an attention-getter, but unfortunately it’s not for speed and power when fitted with the standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine (same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse). When it comes to passing performance, there is such an enormous lag before the speedometer creeps up that it’s hard to phantom Buick billing this a sports sedan. (A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 220 horsepower is offered, but a Regal fitted with that more powerful engine has yet to be test driven by this reviewer.) The non-turbo powered Regal’s standard equipment list is fairly large and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, 12-way power/heated leather driver’s seat, 6 airbags, 7-speaker sound system, and fog lamps.

The body structure is considerably stiffer (about 25%) than the former Regal. From a vehicle dynamic standpoint, the 107.8-inch wheelbase Regal uses an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension and a four-link independent rear suspension. With the base Ecotec engine, the power output is an estimated 182 horsepower at 6700 rpm and 172 ft-lbs torque at 4900 rpm. The 3600-lb curb weight Regal has a nearly matched front (62.4 inches) and rear (62.5 inches) track. Estimated mpg for the 2.4-liter powered Regal with 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission is 20 city/30 highway. Front wheel drive Regal CXL with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine carries an MSRP of $26,995.