BUICK CONTINUES TO SHOOT FOR YOUNGER IMAGE WITH SUCH CARS AS 2019 REGAL GS

In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that before giving my thoughts on the 2019 Regal GS I recently experienced I should have it on record that at one time I wondered why GM was ditching the Oldsmobile, which it seemed to be getting right again, and not the stodgier Buick.

That was in the early 2000s. A few years later I wondered the same thing when the company ended production of the Pontiac, which, much like Oldsmobile, seemed to be getting back on its game.

I still had memories of how much fun the Pontiac LeMans my father had  bought back in the early 1960s had been to drive. Buick, in my mind (and frankly many others) was for old people.

That ignores the economic reasons behind the decisions, of course, and probably is further evidenced why I am an auto writer and not auto executive.

A letter from a GM executive responding to a letter to the editor of Automotive News in 2009 explained the decision:

Pontiac had been unprofitable for several years. A team, many of whom were passionate about the brand, tried in vain to save Pontiac and make it profitable — but none of the scenarios proved viable.

We kept Buick in the General Motors family because it is highly profitable and will grow with new models for the next few years, giving Buick an offering in several sedan and crossover segments.

It could be argued that decisions by GM that sapped the quality of both Oldsmobile and Pontiac over a good many years put the two vehicles in their precarious position in the first place, but that is a subject for another debate.

Today’s topic targets the Buick Regal GS sedan and what it has to offer. Or should I write Regal GS sedan from Buick since you won’t find the “Buick” named on any logos on the car itself, just the tri-shield logl in the front and “Regal GS” on the rear fascia.

GM has removed “Buick” from the logos, and this has led speculation that GM may be looking to having Buick join Pontiac and Oldsmobile in automotive heaven — or hell, depending on your viewpoint. But as long as sales in China continue to boom that isn’t likely to happen. More than 80 percent of the company’s global sales are in China, including models not sold in the U.S.

But I digress. Let’s get back to the Regal GS.

The Regal name dates back to 1973, though there was a production hiatus from 2004-2011. When it was brought back, it was seen as offering another way to help Buick shed its reputation of being an old person’s car.

Even today the company’s advertising campaign still follows that theme. If you haven’t gotten the idea that the company wants you to quit thinking of Buick as something only for your grandfather you must be fast-forwarding through a lot of car commercials.

The Regal GS may not have a major role in this reclamation project, but it does play a part as what is labeled a “sports sedan,” which is a genre that more often than not appeals to a younger audience.

It comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque and mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. US News & World Report ranks it No. 27 in a list of the fastest new cars for less than $50,000 (base price for the 2019 Regal is $39,070) with a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds.

GS models (the Regal also is offered as a TourX wagon or Sportback hatchback) offer the capability of selecting driving modes to enhance performance.

Sport mode stiffens the suspension, makes shifts more aggressive, and sends more torque to the rear wheels, and GS mode makes further adjustments for the sportiest performance.

The Regal GS comes with all-wheel drive and features like lane-change warning and blind-spot alert, front and rear park assist, keyless start, dual zone climate control, heated front seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 4G LET wi-fi hotspot capability, and lumbar support for both the driver and front passenger as standard.

Throwing extras like a Sights and Sounds package that includes navigation, a premium audio system, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist, forward pedestrian braking, LED headlamps, and a head-up display can run the total to just over $44,000.

What I liked about the 2019 Buick Regal GS: The performance offers more than I expected, and the exterior has a nice look. The so-called Driver Confidence Package is well worth the $1,690 it adds to the base MSRP with such features as adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert and forward automatic braking, front pedestrian warning, lane-keeping assist and alert, and a head-up display.

What I didn’t like about the 2019 Buick Regal GS: Fuel economy is a bit below average for its class, and while there is generous cargo space, rear-seat legroom is barely adequate (36.9 inches). More attention to the detail on the interior, such as wood trim replacing the plastic touches, would help raise its stature.

Would I buy the 2019 Buick Regal GS? Not sure. While there are many features I like about the Regal GS, there are a lot of other choices in the midsize class that can overwhelm it. The Regal TourX wagon especially has more going for it when it comes to separating itself from the pack. It also is available as a hatchback, but I’m not particularly fond of hatchbacks.

BUICK CASCADA OFFERS TOP-FREE DRIVING FUN WITH ROOM ENOUGH FOR FOUR 

I have owned only three in my life, and I don’t own one now, but convertibles still remain my favorite kind of car.

You can bet that if I ever win the lotto (hard to do when you don’t buy a ticket) one of my first purchase will be a convertible/cabriolet/droptop as a “second” car. (Probably not coincidentally, only one of the convertibles I have owned was when I was married. Just saying.)

As convertible sales began to decline and some manufacturers began dropping out of the segment, especially when it came to four-seater models classified as “affordable,” I was glad to see Buick step back in after a 25-year absence by bringing the Cascada to the U.S. from Poland, where it had been manufactured in its Opel plant in Gliwice, Poland, since 2013.

The international influence on the Cascada is very promient. Its engine comes from Hungary, its transmission from Korea, and the major source of parts (33 percent) is Poland (where it continues to be manufactured) to only 7 per cent for U.S./Canada.

The 2016 Cascada was Buick’s first convertible since it ended production of the short-lived Reatta with the 1991 model. The Reatta had been offered in convertible form for the last two years of its existence after a four-year run as a coupe.

Its short run isn’t surprising. A two-seater, the Reatta kind of looked like a Corvette somebody had put together in the dark. Not so with the Cascada.

Though critics seem to have been very intent on emphasizing the Cascada’s shortcomings, convertible lovers apparently have welcomed it. According to the Buick PR folks, since its introduction the Cascada has outsold the BMW 2-Series convertible as well as the Audi A3 and A5 combined.

The issue may be how long that trend will continue. Sales for the first quarter of this year (GM has gone to quarterly reports over monthly) show 918 sold following numbers of 1,442 for the first quarter of 2017 and 1,3597 for the same time period in 2016.

If that pace should continue, it would project to 3,672 for the year compared to 5,595 for 2017 and 7,153 for 2016. (Numbers are from gmauthority.com).

Price no doubt has something to do with the Cascada’s early sales success. The Cascada carries an MSRP of under $40,000 and comes with many standard features that cost extra on competing makes, running their costs quickly into the $40,000 class if they didn’t start their already.

The 2018 Cascada is offered as the base (called simply Cascada), Premium, and Sport Touring models with the latter starting at $37,065. For that you get a 1.6-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, rearview camera, lane-departure warning, front and rear parking assist, leather seats, premium 7-speaker sound system with navigation, fog lights, dual zone A/C, 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot, 20-inch wheels, and an acoustically and thermally insulated roof that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when in place.

Despite the “Sport” label, the Cascada Sport Touring model is more suited for cruising around town or coasting along the highway than for sporty performance. Horsepower and torque numbers are solid enough (200 hp, 207 lb.-ft.), but that 4-banger has to move nearly two tons (3,979 pounds to be exact) of bulk.

Gas mileage figures are just OK — 21 miles-per-gallon city, 29 highway, and 24 combined — and premium fuel is recommended.

With all that standard equipment, the only extra on the Sport model I had for a week was a “Dark Effects Package” that included red stitching on the seats, doors, and dash and black trim in the same places plus gloss black mirror caps and grille. Cost for that was $125. Throw in the $925 delivery charge and the total came to a very competitive $38,115.

What I liked about the 2018 Buick Cascada: You can operate the top, raising or lowering, at speeds of up to 31 mph. This is especially a welcome feature if a late afternoon shower catches you by surprise. Its compact size (184.9 inches long with a wheelbase of 106.1 inches) makes it comfortable in tight surroundings.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Buick Cascada: Operating the infotainment functions takes some getting used to, and the navigation screen is on the small side and not all that easy to reach to adjust. Rear vision is very restricted when the top is up. No keyless operation with push-button start is a real downer for me

Would I buy the 2018 Buick Cascada? Frankly, I am conflicted here. It is a convertible, after all, and I applaud Buick’s efforts to get back into the segment so that is very much in its favor with me. I just wish it had paid more attention to small things (like keyless operation). It seems like the intent was to keep MSRP below $40,000 at all costs (pun intended) even if that meant some features had to be eliminated. Considering the sparsity of four-seat convertibles, it’s worth a look if you’re in the market for a droptop suitable for a small family.

BUICK ADDS IMPRESSIVE NEW TOP-OF-LINE AVENIR MODEL TO ENCLAVE LINEUP FOR 2018

Buick takes its Enclave mid-size crossover SUV to a new level in comfort, functionality, and luxury touches with the debut of its 2018 Enclave Avenir.

This is an SUV that should be on your “look at” list even if you are used to shopping in the luxury class. Make that “especially” if you are used to shopping luxury midsize crossovers. The Buick Enclave Avenir is that good and could save you money as well.

Designers gave the Enclave Avenir a distinct mesh grille, 20-inch six-spoke wheels, special inside touches, a wood-accented steering wheel, five premium exterior colors, and Avenir-scripted sill plates in addition to making standard such features as forward collision and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist and warning, a rear camera that mirror that can function as a traditional mirror or camera to eliminate rear-seat obstructions (like people or headrests), low-speed auto braking, blind-spot warning, leather-appointed seating, LED headlamps, hands-free liftgate, wi-fi hotspot, a dual moonroof, and navigation with an 8-inch display screen.

Think GMC and its Denali trim pickups and SUVs here.

The cabin has an upscale air about it and lots of room for seven passengers, even offering up to 33.5 inches of legroom in the third row. The second row gets 38.9, the front up to 41.2. This makes the Enclave Avenir an ideal vehicle for road trips with friends.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2800 and is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that is smooth as a CVT. It’s not going to give you neck-snapping takeoffs, but it’s enough for daily driving.

Start-stop technology supposedly helps the fuel mileage, which is rated at 18 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway, and 21 combined with front-wheel drive. That seems to fall about in the middle of its class competitors.

It is offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations.

With a optional trailering package installed, towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, which Buick publicists note is more than enough to tow a 21-foot boat.

All this in an attractive vehicle that just might draw the envy of your neighbors.

MSRP for the Enclave Avenir with front-wheel drive is $54,390 including the $975 destination and delivery cost. Adding options like an advance technology package that includes adaptive cruise control, forward automatic braking in place of low-speed forward automatic braking, and premium suspension), a trailering package, and other features can run the final total to $57,175.

That’s a good bit more than the base Enclave, which starts at just under $45,000, but is still a good chunk of change under what similarly equipped luxury imports may run.

What I liked about the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir: Most three-row crossovers skimp on cargo area, but the the Enclave Avenir offers 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row with an underfloor hidden storage bin offering 3.1 cubic feet. Fold the third row (by pressing handy buttons in the rear area) and cargo volume increases to 58 cubic feet. Folding the second row results in  maximum 97.6 cubic feet. The infotainment system is easy enough to operate (though I would like a separate knob to surf the radio dial), and there are lots of soft materials covering touch points.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir: I looked and looked and could find no way to turn off the Start/Stop technology that is standard. The only way I could find to defeat it was to gently ease off the brake just enough to engage the engine without allowing the vehicle inching forward at the intersection. Also, this is getting real nit-picky, but to get into Reverse, you must mover the lever on the center console up and to the left. Not sure I see the point of that little detour. Is there really a problem with people accidentally putting the transmission in Reverse? You get to Park by pressing a button at the top of the knob, which is fine.

Would I buy the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir? Yes, definitely. Unless you love luxury imports so much you like to spend thousands extra for, this could be the crossover for you.