2011 Buick Regal Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Buick Regal overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the Buick Regal, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the Regal.

The 2011 Buick Regal is a new vehicle for 2011. It’s a stylish, attractive sedan that competes directly with the Acura TSX sedan, the Audi A4 sedan and Volkswagen CC.

Selecting a 2011 Regal is fairly simple since there is only a single trim with two engine choices: the CXL and/or the CXL Turbo. The standard Regal CXL starts at $26,995. Opt for the Regal CXL Turbo and you’ll start the conversation with your dealer at $28,745. But you can easily load up a turbocharged Regal with options to the tune of $35,000 or more.

On the Regal CXL, expect a manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats that work very, a 12-way power driver’s seat with decent bolstering and dual-zone climate controls. In terms of power features, the Regal includes power door locks, remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, and one-touch up and down power windows. You can make phone calls through the Bluetooth hands-free system, but streaming audio from an iPod is not possible. The audio system also includes a USB input along with iPod connectivity and available XM satellite radio. As a GM vehicle, you also gain access to the OnStar system with a free six-month subscription to Directions & Connections service. Fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels round out the Regal CXL.

The Regal CXL Turbo includes the standard package and the more powerful engine. You also gain ultrasonic parking assist, brake assist, traction control, a 120-volt power outlet, and chrome exhaust outlets. You’ll pay an additional $2,500 for this trim.

Options for either trim include a power sunroof, an upgraded Harmon/Kardon audio system, a voice-activated navigation system with a 140GB hard drive to store your music and attractive 19-inch alloy wheels. Our test vehicle was outfitted with the 19-inch wheels and they clearly give the vehicle a more imposing and authoritative look.

The Regal CXL Turbo can also be equipped with bi-Xenon HID headlights and Buick’s Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS). This system lets you click a button in the center console to adjust the suspension between three settings: Standard, Sport and Tour. The differences are relatively subtle, though enthusiastic drivers will enjoy spending most of their time in the Sport setting.

Two engines are available on the 2011 Regal and both feature automatic transmissions. The base engine found on the Regal CXL is the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle features the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Trust us: you want the turbocharged engine, which is available in either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

If maximizing fuel economy is your goal, you’ll achieve your best scores driving the CXL trim that returns 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Miles-per-gallon ratings drop to 18 in the city and 28 on the highway on the CXL Turbo. Given the small disparity between the two engines, we’ll recommend the turbocharged engine if your budget can absorb the $2,500 hit.

Over a week of driving that favored the highway, we averaged 24.5 mpg. That’s slightly above the EPA combined average for the Regal and we’re confident the turbocharged engine and a heavy right foot in the city resulted in at least a 1 mpg demerit.

The 2011 Regal includes most of the safety bells and whistles you would expect from a vehicle the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named a Top Safety Pick. That designation means the Regal achieved top scores across all IIHS tests. The car includes front and side airbags along with a full side-curtain airbag. An optional rear airbag that protects the chest area of rear passengers is also available. Because the Regal is a new model, safety ratings from the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration are not available.

Forget what you assume about Buick. Their days of offering stodgy old-people cars are over. The Regal is a sporty and well-designed entry-level luxury sedan that is fun to drive. It’s a car that was built and designed in Europe and it drives like a European sports car. Surprised?

Buick heavily promoted that message in a series of commercials that aired relentlessly during the 2011 NCAA basketball tournament. We coincidentally were driving a Regal CXL Turbo during the first week of the tournament and noticed people pointing at the car as we drove down the road and asking questions about the “turbocharged Buick” when we were in the office. Buick would be pleased to know we had nearly universal praise for the Regal. As one Vehix editor mentioned in his drive of the Regal, “It’s that good.”

We’ll admit our first reaction behind the wheel is that the initial burst of acceleration from the Regal was surprising. No, the Regal doesn’t blast down the freeway and leave other cars in its dust – especially if you’re driving the base Regal. But with the turbocharged engine firing, bursts of acceleration to pass slower vehicles are enjoyable and easy to employ. Plus, we liked the steering feel. We felt like we were driving an actual performance sedan versus a basic car that gets you from here to there and you remember nothing about the ride or miles between your destinations.

The Regal was one of those vehicles we liked more and more each day we spent behind the wheel. We can’t say that for every car we drive. But we absolutely will after driving this one.

Does a German-engineered, turbo-charged sports sedan that starts at $28,745 capture your attention? Then look closely at the 2011 Buick Regal. Very closely. This is one of GM’s best-engineered and best-looking vehicles. It’s a worthy competitor to similar vehicles from Acura, Audi and VW.

Yes, it’s a Buick. Not, it’s not old-school Buick boring. In fact, it’s rather fun and exciting to drive. Surprise your friends by taking a test drive in this new-school Buick. Better yet, surprise yourself when you discover just how good (and affordable) this Buick is.

By Michael Waterman