Few words have the same power to warm the cockles of a car geek’s heart as “turbo Buick.” It’s partly because of the contradictory image the notion invokes, but even more because for the past couple of decades Buicks have felt very far removed from their glory days, when performance was held in as high esteem as personal luxury. GNX, anyone?
Hence our excitement to test the muscle of the 2012 Buick Regal GS, unleashing its 270 turbocharged horses on long stretches of NHRA-sanctioned asphalt, measuring not only how quickly it would reach the sticks in the quarter-mile but also how maniacal a laugh it would coax from our bellies in the process.
The short answer? It’s quick but hardly gets a rise from the driver. The Buick Regal GS is a fun, comfortable, almost sporty car to drive around town; however, it doesn’t hark back to the handful of Buicks that populate the garages of our fantasies. Instead, it feels very much like any modern-day Buick except for one significant outlier among its equipment: The Regal GS gets a manual transmission standard. On top of that, the stick is a breeze to operate, with gears that engage with ease in around-town use. One could almost call it a short-throw shifter.
Still, getting anything out of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four’s 270 hp takes a lot of work. For starters, the engine does not rev freely. Step on the throttle, and it’ll hit 4,000 rpm or so, and then . . . that’s it. Engaging the clutch at the proper engine speed and at the proper rate to maximize acceleration isn’t easy, either. The car is good for decent 0-to-60-mph times (with a best of 6.2 seconds), but throttle response feels far more numb and muted than it should be in what purports (or we assume) to be a performance sedan.
Thanks to the sport-tuned strut front suspension, there’s no discernible torque steer through the Buick’s front-wheel-drive powertrain, even when launched aggressively. However, the six-speed manual transmission that shifts so nicely around town becomes far more recalcitrant when it’s being hammered at the drag strip. It’s a little too easy to outrun the synchros and grind the gears if you try to shift too quickly, more so than with other manuals.
Through the slalom course, the GS performs quite comfortably. The grippy summer tires do a fine job of holding on to the pavement around the cones. But the biggest surprise is how well the GS’s Brembo brakes manage to pull the whole thing to a stop from 60 mph, requiring just 109.3 feet. Anything less than 110 feet is world-class, making the Regal GS’s brakes among its best features.
Inside, the GS is as comfortable a midsizer as you’ll find, with plush but supportive leather seats, dual-zone climate controls, satellite radio and heated front seats, split-folding rear seats opening to a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk and plenty of cupholders and bins to stash stuff. It’s a comfortable environment to spend any amount of time in, especially behind the wheel.
Comfortable and fun enough. Still, we could do with a lot more from the maniacal-laugh department.
2012 BUICK REGAL GS
STICKER
Base price (includes $860 delivery): $35,310
As-tested price: $38,350
OPTIONS AS TESTED
AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 playback, navigation and seven-inch color touch screen ($1,145); power sunroof ($1,000); 20-inch polished alloy wheels ($700); carbon black metallic ($195)
OTHER MAJOR OPTIONS
Head-restraint DVD system ($1,875); pedal cover ($165); cargo tray ($140); all-weather floor mats ($130); first-aid kit ($25)
CHASSIS
Unibody four-door sedan
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in): 107.8
Track (in): 62.4 front, 62.5 rear
Length/width/height (in): 190.2/73.1/58
Curb weight/GVWR (lb): 3,710/4,750
CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 18.5
Cargo (cu ft): 14.3
Headroom/legroom (in): 38.8/42.1 front, 36.8/37.3 rear
ENGINE
Front-transverse 2.0-liter/122-cid DOHC turbocharged I4
Power: 270 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Fuel requirement: premium
DRIVETRAIN
Front-wheel drive
Transmission: six-speed manual
Final drive ration: 3.76:1
SUSPENSION
Front: HiPer Strut with coil springs, antiroll bar, hydraulic ride bushings; continuous damping control
Rear: Four-link independent rear suspension; antiroll bar, continuous damping control
BRAKES/WHEELS/TIRES
14-inch vented discs front and 12.4-inch vented discs rear; aluminum 255/35R-20 Pirelli P Zero
SAFETY
Four-wheel antilock brakes, brake assist, electronic stability control, automatic crash response, traction control
NHTSA overall crash rating (out of five): 5
Standard airbags: 8
STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 6.2 sec
Quarter-mile: 15.4 sec @ 94.4 mph
BRAKING
60-0 mph: 109.3 ft
HANDLING
490-ft slalom: 43.70 mph
Lateral acceleration (200-ft skidpad): 0.86 g
INTERIOR NOISE (DBA)
Idle: 44
Full throttle: 71
Steady 60 mph: 65
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA combined: 22 mpg
AW overall: 25.6 mpg
RESIDUALS
One-year: $21,525
Three-year: $16,125
Five-year: $12,00
OWNERS’S VOICES
I have put 1,100 miles on my Regal GS in its first month. People cannot believe it is a Buick. A friend with a modified Subaru Impreza WRX was impressed when he drove it.
It is exciting in spirited driving, quiet and reserved when cruising. I am very satisfied. The GS has my desired options plus more power, bigger brakes, better suspension and more aggressive looks than the Regal turbo. –Carl Hodge, Lafayette, La.
The power is subtle, almost boring. It gets up and goes, but you don’t know how fast until you look at the speedo. Although the car is powerful, it feels as if the engine is underworking.
The only things that give away its sportiness are the Brembo brakes and sport suspension. The brakes grab, and the car handles superbly. I’m glad I gave the Regal GS a chance. At 5,275 miles, so far, so good. –Tim Rosser, Fort Dix, N.J.
The Regal GS is a great driver’s car. The transmission throws smoothly, and the clutch grabs predictably. I love that I can switch the character of the steering and suspension at the touch of a button.
The engine is smooth, but turbo lag is noticeable. The GS has sporty performance, comfort and upscale feel I never would have expected from a Buick. It is a good value for a fun-to-drive car with European style and road manners. –Patrick Shine, Nashua, N.H.
OTHERS CONSIDERED
2012 Lexus ES 350
Base price: $37,600
2012 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
Base price: $35,540
2012 Ford Taurus SHO
Base price: $38,950
