Traffic through the Buick display space at the Denver Auto Show last week revolved around the 2016 Cascada, the first convertible for the brand in 25 years. The big show ended Sunday, April 12, at the Colorado Convention Center.
The sleekness and newness of the Cascada overshadowed other Buick models, including the 2015 Regal AWD GS sedan, which I drove during the week leading to the car show.
With its all-wheel-drive grip and responsive handling, the Regal GS is well-suited to Colorado. The Cascada will share a front suspension with the Regal – HiPer Strut, which reduces torque steer and improves steering feel.
We found opportunity to test the Regal’s AWD setup, a Haldex system with electronic limited-slip differential; it can send 90 percent of torque to the rear axle for improved grip and cornering in adverse conditions. Snow and cold greeted us on a nighttime drive to Johnstown for a performance of “Always, Patsy Cline,” at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre with Dale and Sandy Wells. Yes, I used the heated steering wheel. No, I didn’t use the heated driver’s seat, never do; Jan did, of course.
The Buick’s performance is adequate with a 259-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, with manual mode that can be tapped up or down for quickened shifts. There are no paddle shifters. Very little bragging emerges at the fuel pump; I averaged 23.9 miles per gallon and its EPA estimate is 19/27.
Unexpectedly flashing on the instrument panel’s display screen while driving home from church on Easter Sunday morning was “WARNING,” with this message: “Taking your eyes off the road too long or too often while using this system could cause a crash, resulting in injury or death to you or others. Focus your attention on driving.”
“Well, thanks, now I’ll refocus on my driving,” I thought, after reading the screen. It was a lighter moment in an auto that is equipped with some serious safety innovation, including adaptive cruise control, automatic-collision preparation, lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-zone alert and rearview camera.
With the AWD, turbo engine and lots of amenities, the Regal’s sticker price climbed to $43,970.
The Regal offers well-bolstered front seat cushions and seatbacks. Headroom and legroom are tight in the rear seat; there is no spare tire, instead, in its trunk is an inflator kit.
The Denver Auto Show featured most every imaginable car and truck configurations, from the little Alfa Romeo 4C, with 93-inch wheelbase, to the Cadillac Escalade ESV at 130 inches.
Here are the specifications for the 2015 Buick Regal AWD GS sedan:
- Capacity 5-passenger four-door
- Wheelbase 107.8 inches
- Length 190.2 inches
- Width 73.1 inches
- Height 58 inches
- Curb Weight 3,725 pounds
- Track 62.4 inches front, 62.5 rear
- Ground Clearance 5.9 inches
- Turn Circle 38.1 feet
- Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
- Engine 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 259/295
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering electric rack-and-pinion
- Suspension Hi-Per strut front, rear H-arm
- Fuel mileage estimate 19/27
- Fuel mileage average 23.9
- Fuel Tank 18 gallons, regular
- Wheels 19-inch
- Tires Goodyear Eagle P245/40R19
- Cargo Volume 14.2 cubic feet
- Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, 6/70,000 powertrain
Competitors Chrysler 200 AWD, Lexus IS250 AWD, Audi A4 quattro, Acura TLX
Assembly Plant Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Parts Content U.S./Canadian 62%, Mexico 16%
Base Price of Lowest Model $29,900; Base Price of Review Model $39,810; Destination Charge $925; Sticker Price $43,970.
