2011 Buick Regal Review
SEE ALSO: Buick Buyers Guide
2011 Buick Regal - European-flavored modern sports sedan
By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
When I think of Buick, the land-yacht Electra 225 comes to mind and also the famed Riviera and Grand Sport models of years ago. I was looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the all-new Regal and putting my own German-car background to the test.
Buick last offered a Regal in 2004. This all-new Regal is based on the award-winning Opel Insignia—the 2009 European Car of the Year--and assembled in Russelsheim, Germany. As soon as I sat in the driver’s seat I picked up on the European design elements such as the central-positioned door lock control, the positioning and design of the control for the power mirrors as well as the steering column mounted stalks. I sensed a driver-oriented design that would deliver in performance.
![]() |
I thought the 2.4L engine delivered adequate performance but my choice would be the Turbo engine. I much prefer the sound of a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder engine and pretty much accept for what it is that of a 4-cylinder. In driving the Regal I wanted to hear something different but that’s not a criticism just a personal preference.
The Regal features MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension. All-new Interactive Drive Control is available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability. Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake, StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control are standard. Standard are 18-inch alloy wheels and 19-inch alloy wheels with the Interactive Drive Control.
Interactive Drive Control changes the personality of the Regal and allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension and stability settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences: Standard – balanced and optimized for all driving situations; Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys; Sport – optimized for road holding and enthusiast driving.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
The Regal surely is a global car. It’s assembled in Germany by an American company with an engine from the U.S. and a transmission from China. The parts content is 21% U.S. and Canadian and 40% German. And I would say this is very much the trend for the future.
This German-engineered sedan is a very worthy entry in the midsize car segment. Having been bred on the autobahn, its ride, handling and dynamic road manners are something everyone will appreciate. This is not the luxo-land yacht Buick of the past.
© Larry N