Overview
Whether you label it a crossover or a station wagon, the five-passenger Buick Regal TourX successfully crosses the realms of SUV and sedan in a sporty and undeniably stylish manner. It’s rugged and elegant at the same time, and upscale features are available to increase its comfort factor. This vehicle can haul not just a lot of cargo, but long cargo: with the back seat folded down, you get 81 inches of flat storage area and nearly 75 cubic feet of cargo space. And if you’re loading anything onto the roof rails, you’ll appreciate how easy that task is with the lower height.
The Basics: Trims and Powertrain
The 2020 incarnation comes in three trim levels, base TourX, Preferred, and Essence. Each of these receives its power from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out a very nice 250 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Its powertrain partner is an eight-speed automatic transmission; intelligent all-wheel drive is standard, and the car’s low center of gravity enhances the operator’s control while also making the car more enjoyable to drive. All-new for the 2020 model year is the standardization of dual-zone automatic climate control for all trims, but other than that, it’s the same versatile, sleek, and spacious premium wagon as always.
Comfort and Convenience
The base TourX is outfitted with fog lamps, heated power side mirrors, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and keyless entry and ignition. The Preferred trim adds a hands-free power liftgate with LED logo projection, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror to the mix. Options for this trim include LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and remote engine start. Many of those optional features remain that way for the top-tier Essence, although it does receive the remote start. Beyond that, it gets a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a fold-flat 40/20/40 tri-folding second-row seat, leather-upholstered seats (heated in the front row), and a heated steering wheel. Added to the options list for the Essence are memory functions for the driver’s seat and side mirrors (which are available as auto-dimming).
Safety & Technology
A Teen Driver feature comes standard on all Regal TourX models. This technology allows parents to program certain settings while a new driver is behind the wheel, and it can also generate a “report card” afterward showing potentially unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding. Active safety aids for the ’20 Regal TourX are available through a series of packages, although not for the base trim. On the Preferred and Essence, the Driver Confidence I Package includes rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, side blind-zone alert, rear park assist, and LED headlamps. The Driver Confidence II Package bundles adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and a following distance indicator. A first aid kit containing a variety of first-aid products ranging from bandages to a CPR manual can also be added to the Preferred and Touring trims.
With the base TourX you’ll get an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio capabilities, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, plus two USB ports. The Preferred trim adds a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, while an optional Sights and Sounds Package includes infotainment upgrades: an 8-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, integrated navigation, a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system, and HD radio. The Essence trim is loaded with satellite radio and the 8-inch touchscreen with voice recognition; its version of the optional Sights and Sounds Package will add the Bose audio system, navigation, and HD radio.