Buick Regal TourX

THE AUTO PAGE

By

John Heilig

• MODEL: 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 
• ENGINE/TRANSMISSION: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4/8-speed automatic  
• HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm/295 lb.-ft. @ 3,000-4000 rpm 
• WHEELBASE: 111.4 in. 
• LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 196.3 x 73.3 x 58.4 in. 
• TIRES: P235/50R18 
• CARGO CAPACITY: 32.7/73.5 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down) 
• ECONOMY: 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24.8 mpg test 
• FUEL TANK: 12.0 gal. (est.) 
• CURB WEIGHT: 3,708 lbs. 
• TOWING CAPACITY: Not recommended 
• COMPETITIVE CLASS: BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon, Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 
• STICKER: $42,200 (includes $925 delivery, $6,205 options) 
• BOTTOM LINE: Unlike all the SUVs and CUVs on the market, the Buick Regal TourX is unabashedly a wagon, and therefore has more traditional styling and amenities.
• 

            Several times during my week with the Buick Regal TourX, people asked me if it was an Audi. To be honest, it does resemble an Audi. And since the final assembly point is Russelheim, Germany, there’s perhaps a good reason for the resemblance. 

            But no, this is a Buick, despite its build location. 

            Part of the reason for the misconception is that Buick hasn’t built a wagon since the old “Roadmonster.” While not quite as large, the Regal TourX is more stylish, and built on a Regal platform rather than the larger sedan platform. 

            One obvious difference is that there are no facing seats in the well by the rear hatch, but all the other goodies are there. Like cargo capacity. We found the cargo volume to be huge. It compares well with smaller SUVs, and you get the bonus of not driving a truck.

            Still, the TourX is still a Buick Regal at heart, with decent performance and conservative styling. Yes, my gray hair qualifies me as a Buick driver. 

            The 2.0-liter turbocharged four offers more than enough power. When we wanted acceleration, or to merge into traffic from an on-ramp, we were score. Additionally, the TourX offered quiet operation. On the highway, or even around town, the Buick was essentially silent. Almost zero road noise intruded into the cabin, and this allowed us to keep the audio at senior citizen levels. 

            Driver and passengers sit in a comfortable interior with issues. For example, the cupholders buried at the base of the center stack leave precious little room for taller cups. There’s another sure cupholder between the shifter and the console/arm rest, but cups rattle around in it. 

            There’s a busy console with two USB, an SD card, plus a special adaptor for phones. But, if the phone rings, you have to open the console to answer it.

            We found the heating system to be very good in early winter weather. Heated seats help, and there are individual controls for the passengers. 

            Front seats are comfortable. Hey, this is a Buick after all. Rear seats offer very good legroom and headroom, even with the extended sunroof. For rear passenger convenience, there are two USB outlets at the rear of the center console.

            A nice touch with then TourX is that a Buick logo lights up by the rear hatch when you unlock the doors with the fob. You can also unlock and raise the hatch by placing your foot under the rear bumper, and of all the versions of this facility, this is the easiest to operate that we have seen. The cargo area has four sliding tethers to tie down cargo if necessary. Rear seat backs lower by using buttons in the cargo area. 

            There’s a clear instrument panel facing the driver. The information panel in the center can switch among a digital speedometer, or fuel information or vehicle data.

            I must confess to a built-in prejudice in favor of the Buick Regal TourX (we own a Buick and I like wagons), but the TourX is a superb package. Maybe you need wagon experience? But this is so much better than our Country Squire.

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