Moto Dreamerz: Buick Regal GS

2012 Buick Regal GS Release Specs Price Review & Pics

When looked at in isolation, the 2012 Buick Regal GS is a nice car. Some of the more hardcore armchair auto execs have complained about a lack of all-wheel drive, the European turbo V6 or a limited-slip differential, but the 2012 Buick Regal GS works well on the open road, providing quick point-to-point transportation that can also be used to take friends or family members out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

2012 Buick Regal GS Pictures, Wallpaper, Photos and Images

2012 buick regal gs wallpaper

Torque steer is still an issue, but greatly reduced compared to most sporty front-drivers. Step on the gas and a brief delay occurs before the turbo audible spools up and you’re shoved down the road with a fair amount of gusto. The 2012 Buick Regal GS isn’t that quick – GM quotes 6.7 seconds to get to 60 mph – but it never feels lacking, and in-gear acceleration is always plentiful. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine serves up generous portions of torque, but the 6-speed manual gearbox isn’t up to the task. The clutch is easy enough to use, but the shifter’s throws are a pastiche of every negative adjective in the auto journalism handbook – rubbery, dead-feeling, long and inaccurate. Furthermore, the pedals are totally unsuited to heel-and-toe shifting, making rev matching out of the question unless your feet are child-sized. Heretical as it may be, opting for the automatic gearbox on the Regal GS might not be a bad thing. (At launch just the manual transmission is being offered). Only the most fanatical DIY-shifting types need apply for this dreadful bit of engineering.

2012 buick regal gs engine view

The interior of the Regal isn’t bad overall, but has a very particular “General Motors” feel. Many of the buttons, cabin materials and readouts are sourced from the common parts bin, something that is barely acceptable on a vehicle that’s ostensibly positioned as a luxury car. We often found ourselves confusing the two knobs used to operate the stereo and the navigation unit, and this may be a question of familiarity, or poor design on Buick’s part. On the other hand, the navigation screen (which also displays information from the multimedia system) is clear, easy to use and has a well designed readout that avoided the “early 1990’s PC” look that some Japanese competitors are saddled with. Similarly we liked the supportive seats and the soft leather that comes as standard.