Used 2019 Buick Regal TourX

While consumers may view the 2019 Buick Regal TourX as a competitor to the Subaru Outback and VW Golf Alltrack, Buick prefers its latest crossover SUV be seen as a less expensive alternative to the Volvo V60 Cross Country and Audi Allroad. Built from an Opel platform, the TourX rides and drives like a pricey European sedan, and while not as off-road-ready as an Outback, the Regal TourX is certainly capable of tackling deep snow and unpaved back roads, which is probably all its owners will ever ask of it. There are numerous luxury features to win over first-time Buick buyers; however, in a car costing upward of $40,000, we think a complete suite of collision-avoidance and driver assists should be standard, not optional.

If you’ve driven the current crop of Buicks and have some experience behind the wheel of European sedans, you’ll feel right at home in the 2019 Regal TourX. With a long 111.4-inch wheelbase, the TourX has a supple, stable ride thanks to its independent suspension that includes a 5-link rear setup. It’s nimble without being harsh. The steering has a direct feel that’s precise and nicely weighted. It’s not a sports sedan by any means, but it’s no land yacht either in the mode of Buick’s last wagon, the Roadmaster. Best of all is Buick’s Quiet Tuning, which provides a serene cabin environment without making you feel as if you’re detached from the car. The use of laminated glass, specific insulation and even tires that incorporate a foam belt take noise, vibration and harshness down to extremely low levels. The quiet coupled with firm, supportive seating will go a long way in reducing fatigue on road trips. Although this is a big car, the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder is tuned to deliver 250 horsepower and a whopping 295 lb-ft of torque, enabling the 3,708-pound TourX to feel relatively light on its feet. The 8-speed transmission shifts seamlessly, and the car is equipped with an equally smooth stop/start system that helps save fuel without being annoying.

Buick’s 2019 Regal TourX crossover SUV aims for a premium vibe with a handsome interior that is both modern and clean. With room for five, the TourX provides adult-size accommodations front and rear and plenty of cargo space behind the rear seat. The front seats are a bit snug, but comfortable, as are the many soft-touch surfaces and, on higher trims, leather seating. We like the simple layout of the TourX’s dash, and are particularly fond of the 7- and 8-inch infotainment systems with their clear graphics and quick operation. Proper knobs and buttons litter the dash and are mimicked on the steering wheel with controls for the audio, configurable instrument-cluster screen and available adaptive cruise control.

The 2019 Regal TourX is a handsome vehicle with flowing lines and a sleek rake to the roof that give it a far sportier look than even coupe-inspired SUVs. Chrome accents around the daylight opening and brightwork on the roof rails (which dip down and through the rear taillights) give the TourX a decidedly upscale appearance. The crossover-SUV bits, which include the black composite wheel-arch flares, the lower rockers and front and rear faux skidplates do give the TourX a muscular appearance. If that’s your thing, get either white or red body color to make those elements stand out. If you want a subtler look that emphasizes the sleek wagon profile, go with a darker hue on the exterior.

CARGO CAPACITY
Wagons and SUVs are all about interior room, which is why the TourX provides a generous 32.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, and an even more generous 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. That’s way more space than in a Volvo V60 Cross Country or an Audi Allroad, and even .5 cubic feet more than in a Subaru Outback.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
There are numerous all-wheel-drive crossover SUVs out there, but few with the sophisticated system Buick bestows on the TourX. Equipped with dual-clutch packs at the rear axle, the TourX can distribute the engine’s torque to whichever wheel or wheels have the best grip, allowing for better traction on both wet and dry pavement.

Buick’s new Regal TourX comes in three major trims: base, Preferred and Essence. All models come equipped with push-button start, keyless entry, fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels and all-wheel drive. Other standard features across the range include Apply CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a Bose premium sound system, a rearview camera and active-noise cancellation. A cool safety feature on all TourX models is an active-hood system that between speeds of 16 and 30 mph will lift the rear of the hood up to four inches if it senses that the car is about to hit a pedestrian. The raised hood acts as a relatively soft buffer between the person and harder engine parts.

Preferred models have an 8-way-power driver’s seat, auto-dimming mirror, 3-spoke steering wheel and sill plates. The Essence comes with dual-zone climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, remote start, and hands-free power liftgate. A Driver Confidence I package, available on the Preferred trim, includes LED headlights with cornering and self-leveling features, rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, and on the Essence trim, wireless charging, blind-spot warnings, seat and mirror memory settings, driver 4-way-power lumbar support, and outside heated mirrors. The Essence trim can be equipped with the Driver Confidence II package that includes forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning.

The 2019 Buick Regal TourX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission and sent to all four wheels. For better fuel economy, a start/stop system cuts power at idle and then restarts the engine once the accelerator is depressed.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg