2018 Buick Regal Sportback

Pros: Cargo versatility of hatchback-sedan body style; satisfying acceleration, especially with GS model; available all-wheel drive

Cons: Base engine’s eight-speed transmission occasionally feels clunky; some so-so interior materials

CG Says: Buick redesigns—and repositions—its midsize-car lineup for 2018. The Regal’s traditional four-door-sedan body style is dropped; in its place are an SUV-flavored four-door wagon named Regal TourX (reviewed separately) and a four-door hatchback sedan called Regal Sportback—both are slightly larger than the outgoing sedan. The hatchback design provides a bit more cargo versatility than a traditional four-door sedan—with the split-folding rear seats in place, the Regal Sportback offers 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space (more than double the capacity of the outgoing Regal sedan), and that number grows to 60.7 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded. Base, Preferred, Preferred II, and Essence trim levels are available, all of which are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base and Preferred models are offered solely with front-wheel drive; Preferred II and Essence are available with FWD or AWD. A performance-oriented GS model is also available; it comes standard with AWD and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Unique body-styling elements, Continuous Damping Control adaptive sport suspension, Brembo brakes, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel are other GS-exclusive touches, as are sport front seats with adjustable bolsters and heating/cooling/massage functions. Standard features on all Regal Sportbacks include heated mirrors, keyless entry and starting, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. Available features include a navigation system, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel. Available safety features include front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and intervention, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback is one of a growing number of hatchback sedan offerings in the premium compact and midsize car segments; it joins the Audi A5 Sportback, Audi A7, BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe, and Kia Stinger. The Regal Sportback is notably cheaper than those rivals, but at any of its price points it offers commendable levels of performance and luxury, and a generous roster of standard and available features.