'18 Buick Regal TourX
February 20, 2018
With handsomely rugged styling and soft-roading capability, the '18 Buick Regal TourX is an excellent alternative to larger SUVs, CUVs (see related story Out on the highway, the TourX handles quite well, and the torque-rich, 2.0L turbocharged gasoline direct-injection 4-cyl. pairs nicely with an 8-speed automatic transmission. However, one test car groaned a bit around 2,500 rpm, and GM engineers say the early-production unit lacked the latest calibration update. Hopefully, that was a one-off.
There also was an annoying whistle in the test cars, perhaps from wind passing over the exterior mirrors, and road noise was bothersome at times. The TourX is supposed to be shod with special Michelin tires that dampen noise as standard equipment, but cars tested here did not have the correct rubber due to manufacturing-capacity restraints. Sales of the TourX began as the test drive was under way, so some buyers likely are going to feel shafted.
There are a few other points to quibble about. The TourX lacks some of the content you would expect from a European-inspired sport wagon (it is, in fact, built in Germany and sold there as an Opel), such as tri-zone climate control, extendable sun visors and sun shades for second-row passengers. Second-row seats of the TourX fold flat to provide 73.5 cu. ft. (2,081 L) of cargo space (32.7 cu. ft. [926 L] with the seats up), yet the rear wheel wells gobble up otherwise usable space. It gives the impression engineering and design did not collaborate closely.
But starting under $30,000 for base models and around $40,000 for top-trim Essence models tested here, the TourX is a screaming bargain compared with competitive makes from Audi, BMW, Volvo or Mercedes, and the Buick is miles ahead of value-minded entries from Subaru, Volkswagen and Mazda.
The 3-model Regal lineup will be complete in the coming weeks with the arrival of the performance-oriented GS, but from a styling and functionality standpoint the TourX is the real finisher.
'18 Buick Regal TourX Specifications
Vehicle type | 5-passenger all-wheel-drive station wagon |
|---|---|
Engine | 2.0L DOHC turbocharged 4-cyl. with gasoline direct injection, aluminum block, head |
Power (SAE net) | 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
Torque | 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) @ 3,000-4,000 rpm |
Bore x stroke (mm) | 86 x 86 |
Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Wheelbase | 111.4 ins. (2,829 mm) |
Overall length | 196.3 ins. (4,899 mm) |
Overall width | 73.3 ins. (1,863 mm) |
Overall height | 58.4 ins. (1,484 mm) |
Curb weight | 3,708 lbs. (1,682 kg) |
Price as tested | $41,600 |
Fuel economy | 21/29 mpg city/hwy (11.2-8.1 L/100 km) |
Competition | Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3-Series Sport Wagon, Volvo V60 Cross Country |
Pros | Cons |
Sensational styling | Noisy tire snafu |
Torque-rich turbo 4-cyl. | Curious engine groan |
Perfectly sized for outdoor escape | Lacks Euro-wagon interior staples |
">’18 Buick Regal TourX Some Kind of Finisher).
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