New. AWD. Turbo. Wagon.... Buick?

I like these. Maybe they'll do a GS version with the wick turned up in a year or two, that would be cool. Competition for the Kia Stinger perhaps?

For reference, the wagon sits 1.3" higher than the hatchback. AWD is also available on the hatch but it's standard on the wagon. Same HP rating, but the wagon gets a boost of 50 or so ftlbs on torque....don't know if that goes for the AWD hatches too...

I like the looks of it very much.

But does it have the third row seating ?

I will have to have one of these pre-owned once they are affordable. It would be cool if it was a straight-up wagon instead of an AWD near-crossover but hey, close enough. And it's handsome.

Our 9-5 Aero wagon can't last forever. The new Volvo wagon looks great but isn't affordable and is underpowered at any rate. I'm not a Subaru or VW customer, so the Regal is the most promising thing I've seen in wagon flavor for a little while in terms of future ownership. Hope it is successful.

This is the Opel Insignia. It's supposed to be very good.

I hate to say that I don't hate it. I thought however that GM had learned it's lesson when it comes to cladding. Other than guaranteeing rusted out wheel-wells, it serves no function.

The other problem is that I am way too invested in hating anything Buick. No way I could abandon my core values and be seen driving the equivalent of an Eskimo retirement device. My daughter would NEVER stop shoving it in my face.

As an aside, I note from a few trips that the Chinese lap up the Buick brand. What's with that?

NOHOME wrote: I thought however that GM had learned it's lesson when it comes to cladding. Other than guaranteeing rusted out wheel-wells, it serves no function.

That depends on how it lines up to everything around it (as far as how easily it traps crud behind it). Some cars are known for major rust under the plastic bits, while others seem to rust less with the plastic bits in place (particularly with rocker covers) as the plastic keeps the salty wheel spray from wearing through the paint and chewing up the metal (whatever gets trapped under the plastic seems to do less damage in some cases).

If it's placed right, it does prevent door dings.

ultraclyde wrote: I like these. Maybe they'll do a GS version with the wick turned up in a year or two, that would be cool. Competition for the Kia Stinger perhaps? For reference, the wagon sits 1.3" higher than the hatchback. AWD is also available on the hatch but it's standard on the wagon. Same HP rating, but the wagon gets a boost of 50 or so ftlbs on torque....don't know if that goes for the AWD hatches too...

So you're saying a little drop would fix the weird almost-crossover look?

I have to admit, it's pretty neat to see Buick doing cool stuff now. These past few years are the first time I've ever thought about Buick at any length.

Love it--if it came with a stick... Pretty much any wagon with a stick makes me excited tho.

Australia and Europe will get versions that look even better, but 'Merica wants SUVs so we get the stupid cladding.

I think it's handsome--- sort of like an upscale Mazda 6 wagon.

Buick used to make cool cars for grown-ups. (Riv, Stage 1 Skylark, Grand National / GNX) Hopefully they head back in that direction.

I like it. I like it a lot.

Can I do without the cladding? Yes. Is it a deal killer? No.

Since they want it to be a "sports activity vehicle", I'm thinking lift it, add some aggressive trail rubber, a light bar, and a cargo basket on the roof and dominate winter and light off-road trails! Perfect doggo hauler!

Buick is becoming the International Brand for GM.

So far:
Encore, assembled in Korea
Other SUV with forgettable name, assembled in China.
Convertible (name forgotten), assembled in Poland.

Yeah, to America Car Company.

Tony Sestito wrote: Since they want it to be a "sports activity vehicle", I'm thinking lift it, add some aggressive trail rubber, a light bar, and a cargo basket on the roof and dominate winter and light off-road trails! Perfect doggo hauler!

But then it would look like this

I'm firmly in the "like it" group, and also in the "would definitely like it more without the silly fender surrounds" group. I may find myself in the "bought a babied two year old one" group about three years from now.

They need a GS version to interest me. And a third row, no matter how small and useless, I can cram children in it if needed.

I dig it. Reminds me of a Mazda6 wagon, if such a creature existed.

Now, give me a rear-facing third row in the back so I can sell the wife on it ;)

EDIT: the photos on this page....are damn sexy. Without that cladding it looks like a proper sportwagon. mmmm...

I like it too and would much prefer mine without the Tupperware. I am becoming like my dad who has owned 10 consecutive Buicks since the late 70s.

Maybe it will look better in black so the trim blends in.

I only had my 2013 Regal Turbo for a short time before I yanked the motor for my race car, but it had a very nice interior, and the motor is as good as anything from Japan or Germany

loosecannon wrote: I only had my 2013 Regal Turbo for a short time before I yanked the motor for my race car, but it had a very nice interior, and the motor is as good as anything from Japan or Germany

I tried to get my mom go buy a Buick a couple of years ago. She came back from the test drive saying it was too nice and she didn't think she could drive anything that fancy. Granted, she was shopping for a replacement for her Astro, so the leap was HUGE, but I never quite understood that complaint.

Speaking of Buick, I just remembered a great quote from a college professor of mine (guy was in his 70s)... "There are 2 types of drivers that scare me the most. Young guys in Pontiacs and old guys in Buicks."

NOHOME wrote: I hate to say that I don't hate it. I thought however that GM had learned it's lesson when it comes to cladding. Other than guaranteeing rusted out wheel-wells, it serves no function. The other problem is that I am way too invested in hating anything Buick. No way I could abandon my core values and be seen driving the equivalent of an Eskimo retirement device. My daughter would NEVER stop shoving it in my face. As an aside, I note from a few trips that the Chinese lap up the Buick brand. What's with that?

When the PRC first opened its economy in the 1980s after the death of Chairman Mao, the PRC government had a rule in place that Western automakers could only be in China as a minority partner in a joint venture. GM was one of the first companies to sign up for that deal, and started producing Buicks there as their luxury car. As a result, the Buick brand became synonymous with being rich and successful - and as more Chinese are able to afford to purchase cars, they are going for the brand that's associated with success but is actually attainable.

So who is going to be the first one to go crawl around one at a dealership and find out if the plastic wheel arches can just be unscrewed and thrown away? I'd bet they're just stuck over perfectly fine sheetmetal.

And yeah, grab the springs from the AWD hatch and I'd bet you're back at the same ride height. Or throw a 2" drop on it for just the right DD stance.

Furious_E wrote: Yea that's not bad at all! But let me guess, no stick in that configuration?

You don't want a stick. I had a Regal GS with the manual, it was a terrible manual.

szeis4cookie wrote:

NOHOME wrote: I hate to say that I don't hate it. I thought however that GM had learned it's lesson when it comes to cladding. ... As an aside, I note from a few trips that the Chinese lap up the Buick brand. What's with that?

When the PRC first opened its economy in the 1980s after the death of Chairman Mao, the PRC government had a rule in place that Western automakers could only be in China as a minority partner in a joint venture. GM was one of the first companies to sign up for that deal, and started producing Buicks there as their luxury car. As a result, the Buick brand became synonymous with being rich and successful - and as more Chinese are able to afford to purchase cars, they are going for the brand that's associated with success but is actually attainable.

Huh, that makes more sense now. I always heard China was the only reason Buick survived the great GM brand culling, but I never knew quite why.