Auto CD Mp3 Player

The Buick Regal will initially only be available with a 2.4-liter inline-4. Though it sports direct fuel-injection technology and makes respectable power (182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque) and fuel economy (up to 30 mpg highway), this engine will have its work cut out. Later in the year, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sporting 220 hp and 258 lb-ft will debut. If our time behind the wheel of a prototype with the turbo-4 is any indicator, this is the go-to choice for its combination of ever-ready thrust and fuel-sipping appetite.

Buick is positioning the 2011 Regal against the likes of the Acura TSX and Lexus IS 250. In the past, cross-shopping a Buick against these two well-known luxury sport sedans might have seemed as odd as adding liverwurst along with pizza and a cheeseburger to lunchtime considerations. But things have certainly turned around recently for Buick. If you can set aside your preconceived notions and take a 2011 Regal for a spin, chances are you wont forget to add this Buick to your sporty midsize sedan consideration list.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Buick Regal in available in a single CXL trim level. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated sideview mirrors, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, full power accessories, OnStar, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a trip computer, a 60/40-split rear seatback, a seven-speaker stereo (with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, iPod/auxiliary audio jacks and steering-wheel-mounted controls) and Bluetooth connectivity.

Options include a sunroof, rear parking sensors, a hard-drive-based navigation system with digital music storage, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system and a power passenger seat.

Powertrains and Performance

The standard and only available engine on the 2011 Buick Regal is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic (with manual shift capability) is the lone transmission choice. Later in the model year, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 220 hp will debut, along with a six-speed manual transmission.

The fuel economy estimates come in at 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for the standard 2.4 and 18/29 for the turbocharged variant.

Interior Design

The Regals cabin has a clean, no-nonsense design aesthetic, though a few splashes of metallic trim brighten things up a bit. The low-mounted climate controls are easy to decipher, though the audio setup has too many flat, look-alike buttons. Using the standard steering-wheel-mounted controls alleviates that latter problem, however.

The front seats have plenty of support for spirited driving. Those riding in back, however, may find the rear seatbacks a bit flat and uncomfortable, though a wide center armrest adds a measure of comfort back there. Trunk capacity is respectable at 14.2 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

Those expecting a disconnected feel and a floaty ride are in for a big surprise with the 2011 Buick Regal. Linear, precise steering and a firm, unwavering attitude on a winding road give the Regal plenty of sport sedan credibility.

Though we havent yet driven a Regal with the standard engine, we sampled a pre-production Regal with the turbocharged engine. With its broad power spread, the turbo-4 provided plenty of gusto around town and when launching up to higher speeds on freeway on-ramps. The six-speed automatic clicked off smooth, timely shifts and unlike some other recent GM autoboxes, this transmission didnt seem obsessed with upshifting early in order to maximize fuel economy.

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