2014 Buick Regal Preview: New York International Auto Show

The 2014 Buick Regal is the first official update of the car that made it kosher to use the words ‘sports’ and ‘sedan’ together in the same sentence when describing a new Buick automobile.  The Buick Regal’s almost-mid-size platform has been given the same mild refresh afforded its larger cousin, the LaCrosse, but more important changes have been made to its lineup of drivetrain options, including an unusual demotion of its top trim level that could raise the ire of those just getting used to the idea of a muscled-up four-door Buick.

What’s New for the 2014 Buick Regal:

• Fresh styling inside and out
• New safety gear
• Shuffling of transmission availability
• De-tuned GS model, more potent Turbo edition
• Availability of all-wheel drive

New 2014 Buick Regal: Styling and Design

It’s business as usual, for the most part, when assessing the styling changes made to the exterior of the 2014 Buick Regal.  As with the LaCrosse, the Regal joins the LED parties with its taillights and daytime running lights, and it also gains a slightly different grille up front – fittingly minor changes for a car that has only been on the North American market since 2011.  A similar effort has been made inside the Buick’s passenger compartment, where drivers will now be treated to either a 4.2-inch or 8-inch LCD screen (depending on which model is ordered), as well as a streamlined set of buttons and controls for interacting with the sedan’s HVAC and entertainment systems. 

New 2014 Buick Regal: What’s Under the Hood

There are no differences to be found between the 2013 and 2014 Buick Regal base models when it comes to the eAssist drivetrain.  The battery-assisted unit still consists of a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder gas engine and a electric motor that work together to generate a respectable 182 horsepower.  Stepping up to the Regal Turbo, however, sees a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that has had its turbocharged boost turned up to the point where it now produces 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.  This is a substantial gain of nearly 40 horses and a full 35 additional lb-ft of torque compared to the previous model.  The Regal GS, which was once blessed with 270 ponies and 295 lb-ft of torque now sees itself sharing the same engine as the Regal Turbo, which is a disappointment from a performance perspective and somewhat puzzling given that the additional grunt was a good way to differentiate the two flavors of the sedan.

The 2014 Buick Regal Turbo might be able to count additional horsepower on its list of attributes, but it has been forced to strike a manual transmission from the options sheet in compensation.  All versions of the Regal now come with a six-speed automatic gearbox, with only the GS maintaining an available six-speed manual.  Sticking with the automatic on the turbocharged trim levels introduces the availability of all-wheel drive, which is a first for the sedan that should help it reach a broader market.

New 2014 Buick Regal: Features and Technology

The all-wheel drive system offered with the 2014 Buick Regal is a Haldex design that sends all of the vehicle’s engine output to the front wheels during normal driving.  Should slippage be detected, the system is then capable of diverting up to 90 percent of the Regal’s power to the rear axles.  Also new with the Buick are a host of active safety features (including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation, and of course the usual array of blind spot and lane departure warning systems), as well as a revised version of the IntelliLink entertainment and communications interface.

New 2014 Buick Regal: What Autobytel Thinks

We can’t help but be a little sad that Buick has subtracted 11 horsepower from the 2014 Buick Regal GS, as that was our favorite version of one of the most beautiful four-door automobiles in the GM lineup.  The more robust Turbo model, however, is the volume seller and as such its additional boost will be appreciate by a larger group of potential buyers.  All-wheel drive represents perhaps the most important addition to the Regal’s bag of tricks, as not only will those living in snowy climates be tempted to cross-shop the Buick against the usual Acura and BMW suspects but the additional grip provided by the system will help when launching the powerful car even in dry conditions.