Why Did Buick Get Rid of the Regal?
Sometimes automakers make decisions that make absolutely no sense, like when Pontiac produced the Azek. There are other times when the decision might be painful, but it makes sense, like when the market forces an auto company to make a hard decision. That’s where Buick currently is at the moment, and all of its sedan models, including the Regal, are being forced out in favor of SUVs.
The Buick Regal is a victim of changing times
For those who love a great sedan, now is the time to act. Most American automakers like Buick, Ford, and GM are cutting all sedan models. It has a lot to do with the fact that very few people are buying cars anymore unless it’s a sports car.
Sadly, the Buick Regal was not the exception to the rule. Sales have been sliding for a while now. Buick had to face the facts and is saying goodbye to a legend.
According to U.S. News, the Regal is the last sedan to be cut here in America. All is not lost, however. The Regal will continue to be produced in China, so if things turn around for sedans, then Buick could potentially bring it back just as Ford did with the Bronco.
That may never happen, but for consumers who have a soft spot for the Buick Regal, it’s nice to know that the Regal isn’t being completely phased out. So will sedans ever make a comeback? There’s no way to know for certain, but some experts think that trucks and SUVs will not completely push cars out.
The Buick Enclave
You might say that the Buick Enclave played a role in dethroning the Buick Regal. It’s bigger, can seat more passengers, and drives like a dream. Not only that, but Consumer Reports ranked it No. 1 in the luxury SUV division. It’s hard to hate something that’s as amazing as the Enclave.
It’s even harder to top the Enclave when it comes to reliability. It scored high with the NHTSA and IIHS. The Enclave also managed to impress Kelley Blue Book. The only thing that the review site didn’t like was the fact that Buick Enclave doesn’t offer a lot of safety features standard, and it only tows up to 5,000 pounds.
The Enclave does have its shortcomings – or the older models do, at least. There have been several complaints about the 2008 model, which had some transmission problems. The 2020 Buick Enclave has no major complaints at this point.
The Buick Encore
For those looking for a smaller vehicle and can’t find a sedan of the same caliber as the former Buick Regal, the Encore has some great reviews. It may not get as much attention as the Enclave, but it can definitely hold its own in the subcompact division.
Car and Driver seemed to be divided about whether the Encore is great or not. There were some great features that make it stand out, but its flaws are enough to drive even the most loyal of drivers away.
One of the things that critics like is the smooth, comfortable ride. The Encore also has one of the best infotainment systems on the market. On the flip side, many competitors like the Mazda CX-3 have superior fuel economy. Like the Enclave, drivers have to upgrade to a higher trim level in order to get the exact same safety features that other automakers make standard.
The Buick Envision
The Buick Envision is a small SUV that doesn’t have as much personality as its siblings. Still, the price is more affordable than some competitors, and it has definitely earned its place in the luxury division.
Edmunds gave the Envision a fair review but thinks the Envision might be overwhelmed by some competitors like the Lincoln Corsair and the Range Rover Evoque. One of the features Edmunds liked was the comfortable seats and ride. There is also plenty of technology, like the infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
That’s where the good ends, however. The turbo engine doesn’t get great fuel economy, which appears to be Buick’s Achilles’ heel at the moment. Other complaints revolved around the fact that Envision makes for a dull driving experience, and it’s hard to see past the thick pillars.
So will Buick’s SUV division be enough to make up for the loss of the Regal? Buick seems to think so, and other automakers are following suit. Only time will tell if the Regal can be replaced.
