What's New
The 2020 Buick Regal enters its final year with minimal changes. Dual-zone climate control is now standard, and the Premium II trim departs.
No replacement is planned for Buick's midsize fastback, which will be discontinued after the 2020 model year. It can't seem to find enough buyers, despite an effective 2018 redesign.
Choosing Your Buick Regal
The Regal now comes in five trim levels: Regal, Preferred, Essence, Avenir, and GS. Pricing starts at $26,295 including destination for the base model and tops out at $39,995 for the GS.
Engine Choices
Most Regals are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the GS gets a normally-aspirated V6.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 250 hp | 260 lb-ft | 26 mpg |
3.6L V6 | 310 hp | 282 lb-ft | 22 mpg |
An eight-speed automatic is standard, as is front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on the Essence for $2,100, and standard on the GS. When the four-cylinder has all-wheel drive, it uses an eight-speed automatic and torque increases to 295 pound-feet. AWD models feature active noise cancellation regardless of trim.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Regal's passenger compartment is what you expect in a midsize sedan. There's space enough for five, and more than enough elbow room with only four aboard.
Cargo capacity is a different story, and we mean that in a good way. Although it might not look the part, the Regal is actually hatchback with 31.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seat. Fold it down, and you get 60.7 cubic feet. That makes the Regal just as versatile as a compact crossover. Who knew?
Safety Features
Most driver assistance technologies are bundled into two equipment packages. The Driver Confidence Package I ($1,245) furnishes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, and rear parking sensors, among other things, on the Preferred trim. These four become standard on the Avenir.
On the top three trims, the Driver Confidence Package II ($1,090) adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and a following distance indicator. This bundle also includes a head-up display on the GS, which also has standard front parking sensors.
Connectivity
The Regal starts out with a 7-inch touchscreen, wi-fi hot spot capability, two front and two rear USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Essence and higher get an 8-inch touchscreen with satellite radio, while the Avenir adds navigation, HD radio, and wireless charging.
The Sights and Sound Package ($1,720) on the Preferred includes the 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, HD radio, and a Bose audio system. On the Essence and GS, it costs $945 because of the already-standard equipment. Wireless charging requires the $485 Appearance Package on the GS.
The base Regal comes with all the expected convenience features in this class, including automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Cloth seating, a six-way manual driver's seat, and a four-way manual passenger seat are standard.
The Preferred adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The Sights and Sounds Package and the Driver Confidence Package I are available as options. Buyers can a power sunroof to the Preferred and above for $1,000.
The Essence kicks up the luxury quotient with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power passenger seat, a 4.2-inch driver information display, and a cabin air ionizer. Fog lights, 18-inch wheels, and remote start are also standard.
The Driver Confidence Package II ($1,090) joins the option list.
The plush Avenir gets a quilted leather interior, wireless device charging, the eight-speaker Bose audio system, a mesh gloss black grille, and 19-inch nickel-finish wheels. The headlights have automatic leveling and cornering.
Along with the V6 and all-wheel drive, the GS packs a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels. Interior features include an 8-inch driver information display, a flat-bottom steering wheel, alloy sport pedals, active noise cancellation, and heated and ventilated front seats.
The $485 Appearance Package adds wireless charging, cornering lights, and adaptive LED headlights.
Compare Regal Trims Side-By-Side
The base 2020 Buick Regal is rarely stocked by dealers, which is just as well since it lacks available advanced safety technology. The Essence hits the sweet spot for most buyers, providing a leather interior and access to important options at an attractive price.