Every now and again there comes along a car that really takes us by surprise. This time it happens to be the 2012 Buick Regal GS. While most think of the Buick Regal as ‘just another Buick,’ the 2012 Regal GS sets out to change this preconception. Designed after the Open Insignia, the Regal GS is not your average Buick. With a turbocharged in-line 4 engine that’s capable of reaching a speed of 162 mph, this is the fastest factory-made Buick to date.
Walking up to the Regal GS, I was quite surprised that is was a Buick. It looked very stylish, something that I am not used to with most Buicks. The model we were given had 20” polished alloy wheels which are a $700 option, as opposed to the 19” rims that come stock. These wheels were aesthetically pleasing but were also beneficial to the ride. Once inside the car, you are still greeted with style. Our model’s interior was ebony with piano black accents, creating a very stylish interior feel.
When you think of the brand Buick, you typically think of comfortable and smooth ride. Even though the Regal GS is powerful, Buick still put comfort first. Sitting in the Regal, I was pleasantly hugged by the seats which have great bolstering. There was plenty of room in the driver seat and passenger seat, and the back seats provide just enough space but maybe not quite enough. Buick did a great job on the center console, making it easy for the driver to navigate around with ease. All of the essential buttons were easy to spot out, and the car’s touch screen display was flawless.
Once situated in the Regal GS, there are choices to be made: which suspension setting would I like to use? Yes, Buick has included three separate suspension settings for your driving pleasure. The first is the regular smooth ride, next is the sport setting which stiffens the suspension up a bit, and the most extreme setting is the ‘GS’ setting which not only stiffens the suspension up even more, it even quickens the steering. Also, when the ‘GS’ mode is activated, the cloister lights change colors to set the mood for more intense driving. On the road the Regal GS very smooth no matter the setting, but one nuance that I discovered was that it was a bit too quiet for my taste. Of course most Buick’s are geared towards the ‘mature’ crowd, who prefer a quiet car, but if I’m going to buy a turbocharged car, I would like to hear the turbo. But a 0-60mph of 6.2 and a top speed of 162mph (without governor), I’ll let that slide. The Regal GS is available in either automatic or 6-speed manual, with the 6-speed manual being a very welcome transmission.
Overall the 2012 Buick Regal GS is a great car, and a step in the right direction from Buick. It’s fast, luxurious and comfortable, everything you would want out of a car and with an MSRP of $34,835. While there are only a couple nuances, like the Brembo brakes only being on the front and the quietness of the turbo, they are gladly overlooked considering it is such a pleasant drive.
Provided by duPont REGISTRY
