Used 2019 Buick Regal Sportback

The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback takes all that we love about European luxury sedans and combines it with the hatchback versatility of a compact SUV. While one might say what we’re describing is called a “wagon,” the Regal Sportback retains a stylish sedan silhouette. The Regal Sportback also offers the option of all-wheel drive (AWD), and while it can’t tackle rugged off-road trails, it can confidently traverse the worst Old Man Winter can throw down. A potent yet fuel-efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder powers the Regal Sportback, helping it stay competitive with cars like the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry, while its low price and feature-rich content easily undercut premium sedans such as the Audi A5 Sportback and Kia Stinger.

Because it’s based on the Opel Insignia, the 2019 Regal Sportback is made in Germany, which technically makes this a premium European car. Still, the Buick has been tuned for the American market, which means it’s less BMW and more, well, Buick. That isn’t a slight. New Buicks such as this are competently athletic, yet still compliant. The Regal Sportback will tolerate being thrown into corners, but doesn’t exactly beg you for more. If sporty handling is your thing, you’ll probably want to opt for the Regal GS. What this will serve up is competent power from its 310-horsepower engine, and the comfort and quiet manners expected in a Buick. As a road-tripping car or grand touring vessel, we’d take one any day. Like other new GM vehicles, the 2019 Regal Sportback has a start/stop system that cuts engine power at idle, such as stoplights. The system can’t be turned off, but it’s at least smooth enough to not be bothersome. Speaking of smooth and not bothersome, we also applaud the Buick’s 9-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some we’ve tried, it proved quick and refined. The same goes for the 8-speed unit offered with the 4-cylinder all-wheel-drive models.

Depending on the trim level, the 2019 Buick Regal Sportback’s interior can be described as anything from “standard rental car” sedan to “premium plush.” The new Avenir trim is particularly nice, with quilted-leather seating and more soft-touch surfaces, although colors are still limited to beige or black. The up-level Regal Sportback trims also feature nice touches like a passenger seat that matches the driver’s seat for adjustability, a large touch-screen infotainment system and a heated steering wheel, although simple touches like sliding sun visors somehow missed the boat. Rear-seat accommodations are respectable for this class, but it’s the Regal Sportback’s ability to swallow large items that places it head and shoulders above its trunk-only sedan competition. 

The Regal Sportback deserves praise for its flexible and practical interior. That it doesn’t come at the expense of a stylish exterior is just as impressive. In fact, if you didn’t know about the upward-lifting rear hatch door, you probably wouldn’t even know the Sportback had one. Seen in profile, Buick’s new Sportback looks more like a sleek sedan. With its stately grille, athletic stance and dapper tail, we don’t think it’s too much to say this is the best-looking Regal that Buick has ever made.

HUGE REAR HATCH
The massive hatch on the Regal Sportback allows loading of large or bulky items that otherwise wouldn’t fit in a standard sedan, even with folding seatbacks. Cargo space with the rear seat up dwarfs that of most trunks, and with the seat folded comes in just over 60 cubic feet, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Anyone who has ever been stuck in a New England snowstorm knows even front-wheel drive won’t save you once the white stuff starts falling. The Regal Sportback’s available all-wheel drive alleviates this worry, a reassuring feeling one can’t get from a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.

The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback comes in six major trims: base, Preferred, Preferred II, Essence, Avenir and GS. The lowest-priced version still comes with a turbocharged engine, 6-way manual-adjust driver seat, rearview camera and a trial of OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with in-car Wi-Fi. The basic infotainment system consists of a 7-inch touch-screen display with AM/FM radio, Bluetooth and USB input. We’d suggest stepping up to at least the Preferred model, which adds power front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror and the ability to add popular features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration.

Preferred II models add dual-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, heated steering wheel, 40/20/40-split rear seat, remote start, 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ambient interior lighting. Crucial for cold-weather states, you’ll also have to select this model or higher if you want all-wheel drive. The Buick Regal Sportback Essence trim includes leather interior and heated front seats, while the Avenir adds 19-inch wheels, navigation, blind-spot monitor, rear park assist and wireless cell phone charging. Options include a moonroof, parking sensors, Bose premium audio system and navigation. Offered on Essence and higher trims are driver-assistance systems like lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision alert and automatic emergency braking.

Standard on the Buick Regal Sportback is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making a robust 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque (295 lb-ft for AWD models). The sporty GS trim comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. Front-drive models and the GS employ GM’s newest 9-speed automatic, while all-wheel-drive models make do with an 8-speed unit. Regardless of engine, it will come with a fuel-saving engine start/stop feature that cannot be disabled, but the system works seamlessly, so we don’t think most consumers will mind it.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
250 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm (FWD)
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm (AWD)
260 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,200 rpm (FWD)
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,000 rpm (AWD)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (FWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter V6 (Regal GS)
310 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
282 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg