Review: 2014 Buick Regal GS AWD

[William Maley]

---

In every automotive manufacturer’s lifecycle, they will at least once build a black sheep. A vehicle which doesn’t quite fit into their lineup, despite how good or bad it is. A perfect example is the Buick Grand National. Taking the Regal Coupe, Buick dropped in a turbocharged V6 which produced anywhere between 200 to 245 horsepower and could smoke a number of performance vehicles in the era. But it didn’t quite fit in with Buick’s smooth-riding, luxury vehicles. Thus it became a black sheep, one that would become legendary in its own right.

The black sheep phenomenon seems to be making a return to Buick. Along the rows of the luxurious and quiet vehicles sitting on dealer lots, there’s also a vehicle who has those traits along with a bit of performance. It may not wear the Grand National nameplate, but it wears one that possibly has similar value: Regal GS.

Buick has given the entire Regal lineup some changes for the 2014 model beginning with the exterior. For the Regal GS, those changes include a new front clip with a bigger grille and a new trunk lid. Decked out in red paint and featuring inlet vents that look like vampire fangs, the Regal GS has an outlook of quiet aggression. It doesn’t look like it wants to fight, but if its provoked, the Regal GS will throw down.

Inside, Buick made some key changes to the Regal GS’ interior There’s a new instrument cluster with a color screen that displays the speedometer and trip computer information. The center stack has been revised with less buttons (thank you), a new climate control system with capacitive touch controls which are hit and miss when your trying to change the temperature or turn on the heated seats; and a larger touchscreen with the latest version of Buick’s Intellilink infotainment system which is easy to use for the most part.

The interior is trimmed in high quality leather and soft touch materials, along with black trim to accent the sporty image. The front sport seats are very comfortable and are able to keep you in place if you decide to be exuberant with your driving style. The back seat provides very good legroom, while headroom can be tight for taller passengers due to the sloping roofline.

For impressions on the powertrain and handling, see page 2.

---

Previously, the Regal GS produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. For 2014, Buick cut back the horsepower to 259. But in turn, Buick adjusted where maximum torque was available. In this case, they lowered the point. Buick also increased the RPM range of where you have that torque (2,500 to 4,000 rpm if you're wondering). Like before, the Regal GS is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic. However, new for 2014 is the introduction of a all-wheel drive model with a six-speed automatic. The all-wheel drive system can send up 90 percent of power to the rear wheels.

Like the previous GS, the current model offers three different drive modes. Normal provides a nice balance of efficiency and performance. Sport firms up the suspension, while GS firms up the suspension even further, quickens the shifts of the six-speed transmission, sharpens up the throttle response, and sends 15 percent more torque to the rear wheels.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I drove the Regal GS onto one of the roads I use for evaluation. But I can say my jaw was on the floor once I finished driving. Put the Regal GS into the GS mode and it becomes something along the lines of a German sedan. The engine spools up quickly and gets the close to 4,000 pound vehicle moving at a rapid pace. Power is always ready whenever you need it. You also notice the all-wheel drive working, shifting power around to keep the vehicle moving and in control. The six-speed automatic is quick on up or downshifts, though I was wishing for a set of paddles so I could play around with gear selection.

Then there is the Regal GS’ handling. Drive it into a corner, and the GS hunkers down. There is minimal body roll and the steering provides excellent weight and feel. Agility was very good and felt like you could push the GS a lot further than you thought at first.

But what happens when you drive the Regal GS day to day? Well, the Regal GS has a much stiffer ride than the standard Regal. Even in the normal mode, the Regal GS does bounce around a little bit more than you'd think. I was thankful I had the standard nineteen-inch wheels and not the optional twenty-inch ones as this would only exacerbate this problem. But the Regal GS does retain Buick’s notion of providing a quiet ride.

The 2014 Buick Regal GS AWD is an excellent all-weather performance vehicle that could give many competitors, even the Germans a run for their money. But I fear that the Regal GS will go down in history as a black sheep much like the Grand National. Why? Well, Buick lists the Regal GS’ competitors such as the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A tough set of competitors, many people don’t think of Buick as being a competitor to those brands. The other reason is price. A 2014 Regal GS AWD starts at $39,270. My tester rang in at $43,780. A fair price with all of the options on it, but for many, it will likely make their eyes drop out.

This price problem is further exacerbated by another General Motors model; the Buck Regal Turbo. Both models have the similar engines, choices of drivetrains, and number of other items. The difference is that Turbo costs less than GS. This brings up the question of why buy the GS at all. The best answer I can give is that the GS offers more performance thanks to a number of enhancements under the hood and the suspension.

If you like being a bit outside the norm, the Regal GS is worth a look.

Disclaimer: General Motors Provided the Buick Regal GS, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2014

Make: Buick

Model: Regal

Trim: GS AWD

Engine: 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged Four-Cylinder

Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive

Horsepower @ RPM: 259 @ 5300

Torque @ RPM: 295 @ 2500-4000

Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/27/22

Curb Weight: 3,981 lbs

Location of Manufacture: Oshawa, Ontario

Base Price: $39,270.00

As Tested Price: $43,780.00 (Includes $925.00 Destination Charge)

Options:

Driver Confidence Package #2 - $1,695.00

Sunroof - $1,000.00

Driver Confidence Package #1 - $900.00

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

View full article

[G. David Felt]

Outstanding write up, learned allot. and Love the interior, far better than most cars out there especially the crazy floating look of the Nav found on the German brands.

 

Question, did they say why they had to drop the HP? Was it due to the AWD system? Do you know if you can reprogram it to capture the additional HP and still get the Torque at the lower RPM level?

 

I can see this car as getting Tuners excited and after markets building options for it.

 

Nice Job, Thank you

[ZL-1]

Plain and simple: the GS deserves more power. Love that red colour, btw.

[William Maley]

Question, did they say why they had to drop the HP? Was it due to the AWD system? Do you know if you can reprogram it to capture the additional HP and still get the Torque at the lower RPM level?

 

Nice Job, Thank you

 

Two-fold answer I think: New version of the 2.0L Turbo and a focus on more efficiency. I really think this car could do a bit more power as it could handle it, also give so much needed breathing space between it and the Regal Turbo.

[Guest Brandon]

I owned a 2013 Regal GS with a manual transmission. I love that car. It was simply amazing. I ended up trading it for a crew cab 6.2L sierra, every time I drove it, it turned me into a different person, a speed loving animal, I couldn't get behind the wheel without wanting to drive like I stole it, so I traded for something a little more practical.

[Drew Dowdell]

lol at a 6.2 Sierra Crew-Cab being more practical than a Regal GS.

[Cmicasa the Great]

All seriousness. That is exactly what the Regal needs. 3.6LTT, more precisely: a 2.5L 200hp, 2.0Lturbo 260hp, 3.6L 305HP (GS w AWD), TT3.6L 370HP (w AWD GNX) Wagon, Coupe, and a convertible (same for ATS and CTS, and Verano while we are at it.. and Malibu too dang it)

 

[Cmicasa the Great]

Question, did they say why they had to drop the HP? Was it due to the AWD system? Do you know if you can reprogram it to capture the additional HP and still get the Torque at the lower RPM level?

 

I can see this car as getting Tuners excited and after markets building options for it.

 

Nice Job, Thank you

 

 

 

Yes.. The available Haldex AWD system caused them to have to augment the exhaust system creating more back-pressue.. thus the loss of 11 HP. The acceleration of the car was not changed tho, and now it handles as well has most RWD cars I can think of with no torque steer. One could easily tune the 2.0L up to 300HP.. I've seen even more.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think this car should stick with Turbo-4s and not get V6es.  It would ruin the balance the car has.

 

It's the same reasoning I prefer the ATS 2.0T to the 3.6.

[William Maley]

I think this car should stick with Turbo-4s and not get V6es.  It would ruin the balance the car has.

 

It's the same reasoning I prefer the ATS 2.0T to the 3.6.

 

I still need to get my hands on the ATS 2.0T. I think the 3.6 is ok, but needs more torque on the low end.

[caddycruiser]

I owned a 2013 Regal GS with a manual transmission. I love that car. It was simply amazing. I ended up trading it for a crew cab 6.2L sierra, every time I drove it, it turned me into a different person, a speed loving animal, I couldn't get behind the wheel without wanting to drive like I stole it, so I traded for something a little more practical.

 

100% agreed. I get to drive a lot of incredible new vehicles day to day, but there was a "wow" balance, feel, power, steering, braking, ride, comfort, etc to my GS that I've not had in any other car yet. My G8 GT was the only other car I enjoyed as much, in a different way. The old Turbo 2.0T was fun too, and liked to scream.

 

Until you've driven this car, you don't understand, and I'm glad I did for almost 2 years even if I rarely did so

[G. David Felt]

Is the 2.0 T the same one that is in the CTS? If so there had to be something wrong with mine as the gas mileage was terrible and even in sport mode, the turbo lag was noticeable and pathetic. Was not impressed.

[William Maley]

 

I owned a 2013 Regal GS with a manual transmission. I love that car. It was simply amazing. I ended up trading it for a crew cab 6.2L sierra, every time I drove it, it turned me into a different person, a speed loving animal, I couldn't get behind the wheel without wanting to drive like I stole it, so I traded for something a little more practical.

 

100% agreed. I get to drive a lot of incredible new vehicles day to day, but there was a "wow" balance, feel, power, steering, braking, ride, comfort, etc to my GS that I've not had in any other car yet. My G8 GT was the only other car I enjoyed as much, in a different way. The old Turbo 2.0T was fun too, and liked to scream.

 

Until you've driven this car, you don't understand, and I'm glad I did for almost 2 years even if I rarely did so

 

 

I only drove it for a week, and get what makes this car special.

[daves87rs]

Love the new look.....

[ponchoman49]

Too much coin for too little power and interior space.

[G. David Felt]

Too much coin for too little power and interior space.

I think the power and interior is right on for this category and competition. GM needs to work on the pricing issue. One wonders how much of this auto is really built here compared to importing from Europe which has much higher costs.

[Drew Dowdell]

Very little, if any, comes from Europe.

[G. David Felt]

Very little, if any, comes from Europe.

So do you think they are just trying to get a bit extra profit for the auto then and if it does not sell well they can say see no one wanted these type of auto's under the Buick name plate.

[Drew Dowdell]

 

Very little, if any, comes from Europe.

So do you think they are just trying to get a bit extra profit for the auto then and if it does not sell well they can say see no one wanted these type of auto's under the Buick name plate.

 

 

The Regal is about quality rather than quantity.  If you're looking for raw speed, this isn't your car. If you're looking for the most cubic feet of passenger room for your dollar, this isn't your car.

 

The Regal is your car if you want an excellently balanced sedan with plenty of pickup, in a solid and luxurious package, at a price that doesn't break the bank compared to equally equipped competition.

 

The price premium for the GS trim is a bit excessive in my opinion, but it does get higher end tech not available in the regular Regal.

 

If it were my money, I'd probably go for a top of the line non-GS.

[smk4565]

$40k+ for this is almost as bad as $40k+ for a Maxima or Cadenza but at least those are a bit bigger with more room.  For $40k you can get a 3-series, or even an Acura TSX or Lincoln MKZ if you want 2nd rate luxury badge.

[G. David Felt]

$40k+ for this is almost as bad as $40k+ for a Maxima or Cadenza but at least those are a bit bigger with more room.  For $40k you can get a 3-series, or even an Acura TSX or Lincoln MKZ if you want 2nd rate luxury badge.

Yet the statistics show the Maxima and Cadenza to not be as big as the Regal and the 3 series, TSX and MKZ sure do not have the room with only average quality, average materials.

[Drew Dowdell]

$40k+ for this is almost as bad as $40k+ for a Maxima or Cadenza but at least those are a bit bigger with more room.  For $40k you can get a 3-series, or even an Acura TSX or Lincoln MKZ if you want 2nd rate luxury badge.

 

The Maxima doesn't have the interior niceness. The Cadenza doesn't have the handling nor the solid feel, scratch the surface and you find the underlying Kia cheapness.

To get all the same equipment as this Regal GS in a BMW 328, you have to spend another $6,000 and you're still down on power.

The MKZ is junk... there... I said it.

 

The TLX is the most natural competitor from an equipment and price perspective and it comes with a V6.  It doesn't really float my boat looks wise, but there it is.

[caddycruiser]

You know...

 

Months after selling my 2012 GS back in June, I still miss it. I was thinking the other day if I changed careers and had to buy a car, there were 2 past cars I'd love to have again. Either my G8 GT or the Regal. Oddly enough I started thinking I missed the Regal even more.

 

The comfort of that car, the performance of that car, the look, the ride/handling/steering sublimeness, the tech features and setup, the seats, it was a total package.

 

There are SO many sedans out there and I understand when someone ignorantly says "yes but for $40k I could get A, B, C, D...instead", that doesn't mean much. Most of those sedans aren't nearly as nice. I love our new TLX and it has incredible performance and comfort, yet the uniqueness of my '12 GS and even it's previous 2.0T gen, plus the look, the suspension, etc were something special. That car never felt like a FWD something to me, and took corners at full tilt still nothing like most other vehicles I've had. 

 

Too bad the resale value is terrible, and they don't have high new sales volume, as its a niche product you have to drive and experience more than a day to understand.

 

Nissans? No. Infiniti? Are you kidding? BMW? Sure, heavy, crazy pricing, lack of features, etc. Audi? Fancy VW, nice bits, but meh. Lincoln? Smoking much?...

 

This is a great car I wish had more recognition, but being the high end model within the Buick brand, it would always be a struggle.