2018 Buick Regal Sportback First Drive

Far from a conventional sports sedan, the all new 2018 Regal Sportback is a bold step in the right direction for Buick automakers. Car buyers are taking longer looks at crossovers and hatchbacks over sedans and coupes, so the Regal aims at blending the models into one unique vehicle. The Regal Sportback has loads of cargo space, a turbo-charged engine, advanced safety features and a whisper quiet ride. So, let’s take a closer look on our first drive.

Design

The standout design element to this vehicle is the Sportback rear hatch. With the rear seats folded, the Regal offers 60.70 cubic feet of cargo space. Dual exhaust pipes give the Regal Sportback an athletic charm while the front grille remains subtle and upscale. With package upgrades you can get molded splash guards, 18-inch wheels, and LED headlamps that level and corner. The interior design is rather sporty, with a power moonroof and sport pedals available on premium trims.

Performance

The 2018 Regal is powered by a 2.0 Liter, four cylinder turbo-charged engine that cranks out 250 horsepower. It can be equipped with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. That AWD option comes with a 5-link rear suspension that is specially designed to provide a smooth ride and responsive handling.

Safety

A rearview camera is standard on all Regal model trims, and so is a five year OnStar subscription. You also get Teen Driver. It’s a safety feature that allows you to customize settings on the Regal for the teen drivers in your family. Disengage certain amenities, receive driving reports and prevent important safety features from being disengaged. Advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are available on all but the base model trim.

Technology

Buick automakers gave special attention to sound dampening technology when designing the new Regal. It has acoustic laminated glass, triple sealed doors and a floating Stabilitrack suspension. You can always stay connected with the world around you because with your OnStar subscription, the Regal becomes a WiFi Hotspot on wheels equipped with its own wireless charging station for your smart phone.

Final Thoughts

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback is aiming at the center line of long term value in a very crowded vehicle category. The competition is stiff, but the Regal Sportback certainly carves out its own niche. The design is forward-thinking, adds space and turns heads on the road. The performance is punchy when it needs to be, and still manages to save money at the filling station. The safety and technology amenities also keep it in line with much pricier luxury sedans. You really have to get behind the wheel of one and test drive it for yourself. So, don’t hesitate to take your own first drive of the all-new 2018 Buick Regal Sportback coming soon to Dave Arbogast Buick GMC.