Buick nails sport sedan with Regal GS

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Updated: February 1, 2012 4:18PM

To paraphrase an old saying, “What a difference a few decades make.” One of the biggest head-turning vehicles among the domestics is, of all things, a Buick.

The Regal GS is classified as a midsize luxury sport sedan; it drives like a European vehicle you’d operate on the Autobahn. You may have a bunch of high-powered German vehicles alongside you, but you would have nothing to apologize for. You can thank the 2.0-liter DOHC VVT I-4 EcoTec high-output turbo engine for that.

While it may have only four cylinders, the Regal GS engine delivers an impressive 270 horsepower and a better-than-impressive 295 pound-feet of torque. There’s a choice of two transmissions: a six-speed manual or a six-speed transverse, electronically controlled automatic overdrive. Although I love shifting gears, I think in this case, with the vehicle being a Buick and all, the automatic would be more suitable for it.

This ride is European, but in reality drivers can select from one of three settings: standard, sport and GS mode. The suspension settings and steering sensitivity coincide with driver preferences. Regal GS features a four-wheel independent suspension with a unique high-performance strut front suspension design that reduces torque steer and improves grip and cornering power.

Regal GS sits atop 19-inch alloy, five-twin spoke wheels and offers 20-inch polished alloy five-twin spokes as an option. Having driven Regal GS on a variety of winding roads and switchbacks I can personally attest to the vehicle’s spot-on handling. In other words, it may not be German — but it sure “speaks” it.

While the overall design would tell anyone that the Regal GS is a Buick, design cues — both subtle and overt — point to it definitely not being your grandfather’s Super, Century or Roadmaster.

For instance, there are unique body-color front and rear fascias incorporating prominent, vertical air intake slots accented in a satin-metallic finish. Also, rocker panel extensions and a rear spoiler, a slightly lower ride height than other Regal models for a sportier stance, sculptured front and rear doors below a belt line that runs the length of the vehicle and a great rear end that also sports twin, bumper-housed exhaust ports.

Buick always has been thought of as a luxury car and Regal GS’ interior emphasizes that point. The instrument panel is beautiful, with housed rings encompassing the gauges. At night, dash colors are outstanding and make those of us with diminished vision delighted indeed.

The standard leather-appointed seats are firm yet comfortable; the leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel feels natural; and the brushed aluminum ornamentation throughout the front of the vehicle gives it a cockpit-like appearance. The GS has an awesome harman/kardon premium audio system that features nine speakers and a 7-inch color LED touch screen.

The only annoying feature I found is the protective headrests. Depending on whether you have an average neck or one like Tony Bennett, the tilt-forward position of them annoys the heck out of me. After about day three I must have gotten used to it, but it’s still an aggravating aspect of what otherwise is a great collection of standard safety features.

The Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimates are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the manual and figures for the automatic are yet to be determined.

Regal GS has picked a tough playground to hang out in. Among its key competitors are the Acura TSX, Audi A4, Volvo S60, Lexus IS 250 and Infiniti G25. You’ve got to be pretty sure of yourself to go after those boys.

Regal GS isn’t exactly the cheapest car on the block but the old adage of “getting what you pay for” really applies to this feature-laden vehicle. Base price is $35,310 (including $860 in destination charges). With available packages it’s easy to run Regal GS into the $40,000-plus world. However, if I were a young or middle-age person progressing in my career — or already there — I would treat the purchase of this vehicle as an investment.

Buick used to have an advertising slogan that went, “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?” It took a while, but the driving public is starting to understand again what that means.