Over the few years, we have gotten to know the Buick brand quite well. What was once considered your grand parents’s car has transformed into a modern practical vehicle with sleek designs, comfortable seats and all the bells & whistles. We were invited on a trip to experience the first-ever Buick Regal Sportback, the company’s reinvented luxury sedan.
Our trip took place in a city like none other, Austin, Texas. South Congress is a brilliant eclectic mix of trendy modernity and traditional Americana. It was the perfect setting for our first drive of the all-new 2018 Buick Regal Sportback, a car with pretensions to advance the brand’s image away from stodginess and deeper into the mid-level luxury market.
At first glance, you will notice the chic architectural design of the Buick Regal Sportback. Smooth lines, a 3D grill and enough trunk space to fit a bike makes this the ideal car for a family on the go.
We put the front and all-wheel drive variants of the Buick Regal Sportback to the test out in the curvy Austin back country roads. Dynamically, the front-wheel-drive Regal Sportback is a match for the Audi A4/A5 Sportback duo. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four made 250 hp and was propelled via a nine-speed auto transmission for gas efficiency, which easily took us to our destination the Hamilton Pool. The scenic route to the Hamilton pool was filled with twists and turns that allowed us to put the five-link rear independent suspension to the test. We were surprised on how well the all-wheel drive and five-link rear independent suspension handled when pushed to its limits.
When we arrived at the Hamilton pool, we put the Sportback’s cargo capabilities to the test. We were able to fit a fully assembled road bike as well as a fully inflated unicorn float. We then went on to explore the famous Hamilton pool located 30 miles outside of Austin. A quick half mile hike down later and we were in awe. The pool was a stunning example of the beauty of nature and time, a definite must see next time you’re in Austin
Following our adventure, Buick planned an excellent dinner at Juniper in East Austin for us. Nestled in a very trendy gentrified part of east Austin, the restaurant serves Italian cuisine with a central Texas influence.
All and all, Buick executed quite well with the 2018 Regal Sportback giving it a well-defined identity and its own place in the market. It offers a premium package for buyers looking for a more luxurious vehicle at a reasonable price point.
All images courtesy of Patrick Reynoso.