It’s been a while since shoppers could find a brand new sedan at their local Buick dealer locations. This luxury arm of General Motors is now committed to building amazing crossovers and SUVs that carry on the high-performance specs, stylish appearance, and loaded interiors that are associated with the Buick brand. It’s hard not to get a little teary-eyed when thinking about some of the most popular Buick sedan models from the past. Many of these can still be found on the used car section of your local Buick dealer. One of the most notable is the 2012 Buick Regal.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane of one of the most famous Buick sedans to ever hit the market:
A Brief History of the Buick Regal
The Buick Regal was first introduced for the 2011 model year. Buick claimed that this sedan offered a driving experience that could compete with any other sport sedan on the road. This expectation was somewhat difficult to meet during the Regal’s first year off the production line.
That’s not to say that the original Regal didn’t have some perks. It certainly handled like a champ but lacked some of the oomph that drivers expected with sport sedans.
The 2012 model year was more on point to Buick’s original goal for this model. The Regal GS hit the scene with a more powerful engine, a highly tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and a standard manual transmission.
A True Joy To Drive
The 2012 Regal’s 2.0-liter inline-four engine (295hp; 295 lb-ft of torque) was definitely a step up from the smaller engine from the previous year. This Buick sedan could blast off from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. That’s faster than rivals like the Infiniti G25, Acura TSX, and Lexus IS250.
Beyond looking at specs and numbers, the Regal GS was just a pure joy to have on the road. The way this car handles the road is unlike anything else from its time. In fact, the Regal GS can rival similar sedans from today.
It’s What Inside That Counts
The 2012 Buick Regal GS was considered one of the most comfortable options available at the local Buick dealer. The signature sweeping arc on the dash made sure everyone knew they were driving in luxury.
The GS’s almost perfectly quiet cabin is still a topic of conversation today. Wind and road noise virtually disappeared on the road, which made it easier to enjoy the impressive sound system.
Advanced Safety in the Buick Regal
For a 2012 model year, the Buick GS was ahead of its time. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Regal its highest score for frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof-strength tests. This sedan was also loaded with things like antilock brakes, traction &stability control, OnStar, and more.
The 2012 Regal GS actually had an above-average braking ability for sedans in its class. It could go from 60 mph to a stop in just 122 ft. If you went with the Brembo brakes and summer tires, that distance was shortened to 107 feet.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Ask anyone who owned a Buick Regal GS, and you’ll hear stories filled with awesome memories and plenty of affection. This car may not be in production today, but it will always be part of the Buick story. If you’re lucky, you might even find one of these iconic sedans at your local Buick dealer.
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