Does the Buick Regal Sportback live up to the hype? In a word, yes.
When I heard that Buick would be debuting the new Regal Sportback luxury hatchback in Austin, I was excited to see what the buzz was about. My Dad currently drives an updated Buick Regal. It is a striking car with unexpectedly luxurious features that even makes sitting in traffic fun.
That being said, I couldn’t wait to see if the Regal Sportback lived up to the #ThatsABuick hype. The brash tagline promises a range of vehicles that have a fresh, timeless appeal while being both luxurious and modern. After spending several hours in the Regal Sportback navigating the turns of the Texas Hill Country, I can happily say that it is all that the ad campaign proclaims.
Need an SUV? Check out our review of the 2017 Buick Encore
Yes #thatsabuick Photo: Teia Collier
Who This Car is For
- Singles, couples, millennials or professionals who love the timeless look and feel of a luxury vehicle at a moderate and accessible price point
- New or small families, with no more than two car seats in the back
- Drivers who enjoy a car that is both beautiful and practical with a fun edge of cool factor
- Active drivers with gear to haul and things to carry who will appreciate the trunk-expanding Sportback
- First time luxury vehicle owners who are looking to dip their toe in the luxury market
What This Car Costs
Starting at just under $26,000, nicely outfitted at around $30,000 for front wheel drive and $32,000 AWD, this car starts between $10,000 -$20,000 less than their Audi and BMW competitors. This is an accessible option for buyers ready to get their feet wet in the luxury market.
Nestled in the Buick lineup as a compliment to the SUV crossover TourX, this Sportback will be a great option for drivers hungry for more space and an upgrade in their everyday car.
- Sportback: $25,915 FWD (available now)
- Preferred: $28,590 FWD (available 2/18)
- Preferred II: $30,665 FWD, $32,540 AWD
- Essence: $32,665 FWD, $34,640 AWD
If a crossover is your style, check out the Buick Envision
Inside the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback, #happygirls! Photo: Teia Collier
Versatile, Luxurious and Timelessly Modern
For this driving experience, I was the guest of Buick. {Thanks y’all! } I wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about the new Buick mold of “attainable luxury,” how this car fits into the line-up and what is cool about this car. So, happily I jaunted down to South Congress Street in Austin for the experience. The modern cool vibe of the city perfectly fit the style and features of this new line from Buick.
Upon first sight, the Buick Regal Sportback is a beautiful car, just dancing on the sedan side of the spectrum. The lines are tailored, clean and sleek, echoing the European refinement and polish that many buyers looking to reward themselves with a luxury vehicle are looking for. Here’s what made it feel so modern and luxurious:
- From the slightly tilted displays and tactile touches on the steering and navigational equipment, this is a driver’s car
- Quiet Tune tires made the ride quiet, comfortable and conversation easy, even on the most daring of mid-Texas roads
- The Sportback Trunk – almost a hatchback, the trunk opens up like a gator’s jaw and lets you put almost anything you can carry in the back
- The flowing clean lines, lighting placement and lean profile create a striking car that looks and feels like a high-end vehicle
- The center console in the rear seat folds flat and independently of the other two panels allowing for pass-through space for the things that you need to haul like your son’s hockey equipment or all the gear for your latest DIY project
- Marketplace, Buick’s app for the future of driving. This app connects you directly with brands like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wingstop, TGI Friday’s, Shell, ExxonMobil, Priceline, Parkopedia, Applebee’s, IHOP and delivery.com so you can click and order right from the car and get your food home before it gets cold. In-app payment will be added soon, too, making things even easier.
See how the Buick Regal Sportback compares to the BMW X4 M40i
The rear hatch of the Sportback opens wide making it easy to get things in and out. Photo: Teia Collier
60 Cubic Feet of Trunk Space
The rather remarkable Sportback trunk is a huge selling point. It is easy to use and opens fully, creating the flexibility that everyday life demands and tons of space that make it perfect for modern drivers that are active (we put a full-sized adult bike and my luggage inside) or have lots of gear to carry like a stroller, kid stuff and groceries.
Buick’s marketplace system speeds up shopping with apps connected to merchants like Starbucks and Parkopedia. Photo: Teia Collier
Luxury Details and a Comfortable Drive Experience Create a Lovely Package
Team that with the smooth handling, a twin clutch automatic transmission that offers seamless shifting from one gear to another, a lighter weight vehicle, a quietly comfortable ride due to the exclusive Quiet Tune tires (also seen on some models of Tesla and Mercedes vehicles), additional hidden cargo storage, intuitive driver-focused applications, smart navigational technology and nice gas mileage, the Buick Regal Sportback makes for a lovely package.
Marketplace is an exclusive GM app providing convenience at your fingertips, available in the 2018 Buick Regal Photo: Teia Collier
Can the Buick stand up to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic Hatchback?
- Quiet Tune tires for a ride quiet
- The Sportback trunk
- Clean flowing clean lines make it feel like a high-end vehicle.
- Folding rear seats, including just the center console
- The Marketplace app for shopping
Yes, that’s a full sized bike. In the car! Photo: Teia Collier
What You Need to Know
- 4 cylinder turbo 250 horsepower engine
- This car can comfortably seat 4 to allow for ease of back seat passengers.
- All of the vehicles in the Buick line-up are no older than 24 months meaning that the style, body shapes and driver assistive technology are all current, sound and forward thinking.
Disclosure: I was Buick’s guest for this introduction; travel and accommodations were provided. All opinions are my own.
