A few weeks ago I was able to attend the 2016 Texas Auto Writers Association Spring Roundup at the Texas Motor Speedway. Thankfully I was able to take the 2016 Buick Regal on the drive up and back and really get some good drive time in this vehicle. A lot of times when I have review vehicles I really only have time to do my everyday life errands, kids, etc so it is nice when I get the chance to really drive longer distances in a vehicle to test how comfortable it is for a roadtrip.
The 2016 Buick Regal is a pretty good looking car. It reminds me a lot in style as the Cascada that I recently drove especially in the rear trunk area. It is one of those not too big, but not too small vehicles. It is just right. When I had my kids in the car they had plenty of space to get in and out and I had plenty of space in the driver’s seat without being uncomfortable. The seats are also in that just right category. They were definitely good for a long drive.
This 2016 Buick Regal had all the right upgrades of leather seating, blind spot monitoring, but the one feature that I now wish all vehicles had was the adaptive cruise control. Holy moly this is a game changer when it comes to long road trips. I could set the speed for the cruise control where I wanted to be. You all know there are those times when some lovely person pulls in front of you to pass someone, but they are not going the speed you are for passing so you have to slow down. The Buick Regal with adaptive cruise control will slow down for you. You can set how close you want the vehicle to follow the car ahead and the car will slow itself down as well as speed up to stay at that distance all with no work from you. No putting on the break or pushing buttons up and down. The car does the work for you. You just have to continue to steer. The adaptive cruise control takes some of the annoyance out of driving and someone pulling in front of you. Another feature that needs to become standard on all vehicles!!
The trunk space on the Buick Regal is deceiving. From the outside the car doesn’t look huge so I wasn’t sure if there would be able trunk space or not, but as soon as I opened the trunk I saw that there was plenty. Again great for families going on road trips and making sure all your stuff fits.
One feature or layout that I wasn’t keen on was where the cupholders were located in the center console. I am not a tall person, really just average, but when sitting in the driver’s seat, the cupholders are almost to my elbows. This means that I can’t just reach down and grab a cup easily. I have to either bend my right arm weirdly or grab with my left hand. They are just not that convenient and it just barely held a tall coffee and venti iced tea from Starbucks.
Overall the 2016 Buick Regal was an excellent car to drive. It had plenty of pep and acceleration when getting on to freeways. It was easy to drive and really hugged the road. It was a little low riding for my taste, but that is because I like trucks and SUV’s so much more. I think it makes a great family vehicle and really makes you think.. #ThatsABuick ???
Specs for the 2016 Buick Regal in Quicksilver Metallic: MSRP $41,745
- 4G LTE wifi hotspot
- Onstar
- Buick Intellilink Radio system with Apple CarPlay
- Sensor indicator, following distance
- Forward collision alert
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane change departure warning
- 2.0L Turbo 4-cyl SIDI
- 6 speed auto transmission
- Front and rear ultrasonic park assist
- EZ Key passive entry system
- Rear vision camera
- Sport alloy pedals
- Driver and passenger GS sport heated seats
- Bose premium 9 speaker system
- Heated sport steering wheel
- 19″ alloy wheels
- Spoiler
- HID headlights
Love the No Limits sign!