Although officially there’s no 2014 redesign, the Buick Regal has certainly gone through some significant changes over the past year.
This sporty midsize sedan made both interior and exterior alterations, plus added an impressive turbocharged engine, which is standard for the 2014 Buick Regal.
GM is reportedly trying to stretch a bit, feeling the Buick Regal may be able to capture a few car-buyers who are considering sedans like the Audi A4 or the BMW 3 Series. But frankly, if that’s the game plan, it’s too big a stretch. The Buick actually has a pretty serious challenger within the GM umbrella in the Cadillac ATS.
2014 Buick Regal
- Performance: turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 259 horsepower; 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 182 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 21-30 mpg; 25-36 mpg
- Estimated price: $29,690 to $39,270
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 12 years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance: 6 years/70,000; corrosion: 6 years/unlimited
With that said, there’s still plenty to like about this year’s Buick Regal. It remains a stylish-looking sedan that has a fair amount of sophistication.
The most notable change for 2014 is the turbocharged engine. Some auto experts are calling it the most refined four-cylinder engine in its price range.
Both the base and the GS Regal comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that produces 259 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive Regal driven here goes 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds.
While the turbocharged engine has warranted praise, the other Regal engine option has not. Buick paired a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with a lithium-ion battery pack for its electric motor. Buick calls this hybrid-like technology “eAssist.”
The eAssist engine producers 182 horsepower, 172 lb-ft of torque, and gets better gas mileage (25-36 mpg) than the turbocharged models. But critics say it lacks the proper acceleration and overall performance that Buick owners have come to expect.
In the exterior change department, the new-look Regal has smartly only slightly altered its signature waterfall grille, which is a welcome trademark. Other changes include revised headlights and bumper in the front, and trunk lid, bumper and slightly different LED tail lamps in the rear.
On the inside, Buick abandoned its cluttered control panel and replaced it with one that makes much more sense and brings an upscale appearance. The controls are organized and easy to access.
The Buick interior offers supportive front seats with enough room for 6-footers. The backseat is not as accommodating, feeling a little cramped and the sloping roof doesn’t help, either. The trunk space measures 14.2 cubic feet and is a little narrow.
Standard features in the base model Buick Regal are pretty extensive and include foglights; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather upholstery; heated front seats; eight-way power driver seat (with four-way power lumbar); 8-inch touchscreen display; rearview camera; Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity; seven-speaker audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface; and the IntelliLink smartphone and voice command integration system.
We expect many car shoppers will like the new changes with the 2014 Buick Regal, especially the spunky turbo engine. This is a fairly sophisticated sedan that offers many standard features. Although it’s not a rival of some luxury rivals, the Buick can hang with many of the midsize sedans.