AUSTIN, Texas _ What one word best describes a midsize sedan? Camry? Accord? Altima? Malibu? Sonata? Optima? Fusion? No?
Then how about Boring? Or Beige? Vanilla? Dull? Mundane? Mediocre? Anonymous? Ordinary? Commonplace? Unexciting? Routine? Average? Humdrum? Dreary? Monotonous? Dismal? Uninteresting? Tedious? Humdrum? Pedestrian? Unexceptional? Nondescript? Unremarkable? Tiresome?
Certainly the thought of a new midsize sedan makes many buyers nod off before considering something else. And increasingly, they are. According to Automotive News, midsize car sales peaked in 2014 at 2,469,640 units, accounting for 15 percent of U.S. market sales. Through November of this year, midsize sales totaled 1,641,079 units, capturing 10 percent of sales as buyers increasingly spurn sedans for a crossover's spaciousness, practicality and the assurance that comes with all-wheel drive.
Given buyers' preference for five doors rather than four, it would make sense for car designers to offer a midsize sedan with a crossover-like design.
Enter the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback, which exchanges its run-of-the-mill four-door sedan form for a five-door hatchback. It will be followed shortly by a new all-wheel-drive Regal station wagon, which Buick would prefer you call the TourX, as well as a high-performance, all-wheel-drive GS model.
The Regal Sportback's hatchback body style provides more practicality than its midsize competitors, which include the Acura TLX, Lincoln MKZ, and Volkswagen CC. The Kia Stinger, Audi A5 Sportback, and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe offer a similar package, but cost far more. The Buick's $25,915 base price is nearly $2,000 less than the 2017 Regal, not to mention $5,935 less than the Chevrolet Malibu with the same engine, while offering twice the cargo space and a more prestigious nameplate. And it's built in Germany, where it was first engineered as the Opel Insignia.
The newest Regal's graceful form admirably follows the current design idiom of designing sedans with a fast, coupe-like profile. It's handsome, even if the sloping rear roof robs the back seat of some headroom. That's no big deal; true high fashion demands a bit of compromise from the buyer. Besides, when was the last time the Regal looked so eloquent?
That feeling continues once you climb inside the remarkably spacious interior, where you'll find a sophisticated, upscale interior accented by a stylishly simple instrument panel an the sort of details you'd expect, such as a dampened glovebox lid that's felt-lined, and insulated side windows. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a welcome touch, as is the padding on the passenger's side of the center console where a passenger's knee rests.
The front bucket seats are attractively detailed and are bolstered just enough for aggressive maneuvers, with a low but comfortable seating position. Rear seat legroom is bountiful � much more so than the outgoing model � although headroom is merely adequate. As you'd expect, cargo space is impressive, with a space that goes well forward. Best of all, the interior is unusually quiet on front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive Regals are slightly noisier due to the use of different tires.
Like many of its competitors, the 2018 Regal's power comes from the engine of the moment: a 2.0-liter double-overhead-cam turbocharged four-cylinder that furnishes its power to the front wheels through a nine-speed automatic. An eight-speed automatic is standard with all-wheel drive, which is optional on the Sportback and standard on the upcoming TourX station wagon and GS high-performance variants.
For those expecting the Regal to possess Detroit's legendary "all ashore that's going ashore" handling, guess again. Remember this car's European bloodline? That means that it's no surprise that this Regal possess a firm ride that's not punishing. There's some compliance over bumps, but body motions are well controlled. Body roll is noticeable but it's not objectionable. The steering is nicely weighted and proves quick enough for fast, spirited runs through the Texas Hill Country, where Buick was introducing the car to journalists. Front-wheel-drive Regals feel livelier than their heavier all-wheel-drive siblings, despite the latter's extra 35 pound-feet of torque. What's even more remarkable is the lack of torque steer, even in front-drive models. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts promptly and smoothly. Manually shifting is slower than expected, rendering it unnecessary.
Optional driver assistance features include lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert and rear park assist, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert and adaptive cruise control with forward automatic braking. Uniquely, a standard active hood pedestrian safety system, upon sensing an imminent impact with a pedestrian, lifts the back of the hood up to four inches to lessen the impact at speeds between 16-30 mph.
And, as with any new ride, connectivity is exceptional. A 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard, while an 8-inch system with available embedded navigation and a Bose audio system is optional. A standard active noise cancellation is available on all-wheel drive models.
No matter which of the four trim levels you choose � Regal, Preferred, Preferred II or Essence � you'll find the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback to be many things: agile, adept, comfortable, capable, mannerly, entertaining, practical, sophisticated and handsome. But one thing you won't call it: unremarkable.
