2012 Buick Regal GS - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow

[@x--WarHawk--x]

My 2013 stills gets me compliments...the car is awesome inside and out. One thing though...the Pirelli P-Zeros suck...so I went with the BF Goodrich Comp 2's....price, wear, grip....all in a nice little package.

[@sage11x]

Another point about manual transmissions: it keeps the driver engaged and not lazy. You don't have as much time to check your phone or scarf breakfast. Driving becomes an activity onto itself. For those of us who enjoy driving it's one more barrier removed from connected you to the machine. Honestly, in a world of touch screens and mobile phones I've had to learn to be much more defensive on the road-- people don't pay attention.

[@vwmatt33]

I absolutely love the GS!!!! I came really close to getting the regular 2.0T with the TO7 package with a six speed manual. Even with discounts and rebates and incentives the VW CC was the better choice. Still love this car very very much!!!

[@JustAnotherPersonHere]

I love the Steve Hammes reviews! Descriptive, clear, answers to real questions. Nice work!

[@cadrolls]

When better automobiles are built, BUICK will build them! This is a NICE car. I would choose this over any BMW, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, or Volkswagon ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!

[@ZorlocMortimer]

I'd buy it. I don't care about being a brand snow and saying I have a BMW. Unless I have the money to get an M3 I could care less about the 3 series. I think this car looks great.

[@mistygordon6357]

I love the Buick and have been driving them for years. I cannot wait to get my new buick REGAL GS.

[@PL3690]

you are one of the best reviewers, keep it up!

[@DigThroughTheClay]

1997-2004 Regal GS was supercharged. Also did 0-60 in 6.6. And there was more than one color offered.

[@B_rad926]

If you haven't looked at a Buick lately, you may want to. Buick is one of the fastest growing brands over the last couple years. They also offer many of the technological features and luxuries that Mercedes, Lexus and BMW offer.

[@JustAnotherPersonHere]

And the GS....I love this car a lot! I considered one for purchase but it was just out of my price range but still couldn't see paying $35k for a Buick.

[@speedtime2834]

The rims bring that car out

[@TheSouthernGentMan]

I'm nineteen, and I'm in love with a...Buick?! Wow. GM is really turning this brand around. And, as always, great review.

[@wheeljack1227]

I know this question is for him but.....i would recomend it. i LOVE gm and all but im not brand blind. and acuras are really nice.

[@ThousanWhite]

It's finally coming this fall! The 2014 GS looks amazing and will be in AWD!

[@TekTrekgamer]

Another great review Steve. This Buick is bringing a strong smell of Lexus to the brand with lines that look similar to the IS series sports sedan of that brand. The interior looks nice but still looks too "Buicky" to appeal to me and I do like the mod-cons of the executive level car. I drive a new Kia Optima and I think for the price it brings more to the table at just under 15 thousand less than this Buick. I would be curious to see which demographic latches onto this vehicle the most.

[@stevehammes]

Cool. I've got a couple more posting later this week.

[@klextacy]

It's a beautiful car, and I was really salivating for Buick to bring this out.. especially since the Opel Insignia VXR on which it was modeled is great car. But, I think Buick REALLY dropped the ball on this one with all of the continual downgrades in power, and the loss of AWD. They took something that could have been really special, and made it just average. This is the sort of performance that the standard Regal ought to have, and the GS ought to have the turbo-charged V6 for real performance

[@chris850t]

looks pretty cool, for a buick :D great vid, Steve!

[@avro206]

it's look are stunning. I understand the performance doesn't really measeure up. Hopefully new gen ecotec Turbo will cure that.

[@DevPack]

I was pretty close to buying this last week, but after thinking really hard I decided to go with a Ford fusion sport. Something about the fusion sport just made me pick it over this. The GS is still a great car though. Its a poor mans sport sedan just like the fusion sport.

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

Well the smarter under 40s would know the Buick is a better value and would not be suckered or joked into a certain brand

[@76carmel]

270 hp is plenty; in fact, there are some V6s with less hp. About the AWD option and the turbo V6, we'll see what Buick will do. The LaCrosse has optional AWD and a 3.6L 303 hp. However, I think that super turbo engine is plenty of power and I don't think a Buick GS shopper will truly think about the V6.

[@whatever04811]

Steve, is there an all wheel drive option due out? thanks

[@stevehammes]

Look for it in May.

[@76carmel]

Here you can get this GS at $36k, but if you want a BMW 3-Series with all the fixins, it'll be over $50k. I don't think the Regal GS compares with the Beamers especially with its price point. The Cadillac ATS that will come in the fall will be the 3-series competitior. I see the Regal GS will compare with the Volvo S60. I like this Regal GS; I wish there was one feature, a back-up camera due to the high belt line of the car.

[@insidertrading1]

A $25k Opel Insignia priced $11k more with a Buick badge slapped on it... Well...

[@DevPack]

just drove a GS 6spd today it was fun :)

[@mlps93]

Can you do the Mazda CX5?

[@East17A]

Buick GS stunning look from GM finally they have made something that looks and perform great .. thanks Steven .. when R you going to Review the new Hyundai Azera ? :-)

[@neoconsnightmare3]

i agree with you on a lot of what you've said, but in the u.s., there's simply no reason to learn how to drive manual. something like 93% of cars sold are automatic, because 93% of buyers want automatic. hell, i learned, 30 plus years ago, how to drive manual, but i soon found no reason for it; my parents had automatic (and THEY learned manual when that was pretty much it), i lived in a big city. today, no price difference nor '0-60' differences, so this is why so few really want manual.

[@grifster981234567890]

at least steve gives his opinion

[@giving18]

It's all relative...whatever you like.... if you like the buick get the buick, if you like the bmw get the bmw...or whatever...people are so jacked up..

[@One_Shot_Garage]

There is now!

[@tbirdsport302]

I don't understand why you wouldn't just buy an older 97-04 regal.... I mean its just as fast if not faster...near identical gas mileage, one of the best tried and proven powertrains...3.8L Supercharged. Easy to mod (if that's your thing) trans can handle up to 300hp...and not to mention pretty cheap, even with low mileage :) But yes a 3 series would be nice...however I would Imagine insurance would be higher, and maintenance would be a bit pricey.

[@neoconsnightmare3]

you DO know that in the 'mid-sized' market, VOLUME is supposed to be what folks are looking for. buick IS making a name for itself, and a well respected one at that. they're not cadillac (luxury), nor are they chevy (relatively basic family sedans)...they're a 'premium' car. nice appointments, better than average quickness, sleek looks. who's buying these cars? FAMILIES that need four doors, not 20 something single guys. and where did motor trend say it was barely mediocre?

[@MuffinHatred]

the 2008 chevy hrr ss cost about $23,000 and had the same engine. How does this cost so much more. I know that the car has better materials and is bigger, it really should be competing with the hyundai and kia 274 hp cars. It would be a good match up between them.

[@traintownofcowee]

Impressive for a Buick.

[@neoconsnightmare3]

i'll grant you that manual provides the opportunity to be more defensive, but so does age. beyond 25 and 30, people TEND to become better drivers. the accidents i see are as often caused by folks with 'boulevard races' as they are those with family cars that have auto. i see plenty of high horsepower/6 speed manuals in accidents, usually the ones causing them, because young folks are busy trying to be those boulevard speed kings or expressway champs. it's the driver and the market.

[@mb013962]

camry zero-sixty is 5.7 seconds so is the accord v6 coupe

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Why not use a rear wheel drive?

[@neoconsnightmare3]

i dig, and i know a chick that lives in the city and ONLY drives stick. she even complains because it's so hard nowadays to find a family car with stick. gm/buick/and all car manufacturers in the mid sized sedan market know one thing: in america, 93% of folks buy auto, and they adjust their product selection to reflect that.

[@stevehammes]

The attitude adjustment has got to start somewhere. Look at Hyundai. It doesn't happen overnight.

[@ThousanWhite]

It's coming in the 2014 model in a few months.

[@thegmcar]

allright ! but don't forget that OPEL is owned by GM (Americans) !

[@stevehammes]

No ETA on that one yet.

[@TekTrekgamer]

Isn't this a Vauxhall Insignia VXR?

[@stevehammes]

This one is built in Canada with a German engine and Japanese transmission. How American is that!

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Not bad at all for an american car. I hate that gm uses ugly light green to light up the buttons etc..they have used this for years and reminds me of my dads oldsmobile, or chevy! The interior looks great too, except it is sooo dark and black. They should add more chrome or colour to brake up the black. Other than that not a bad machine.

[@bmwmsport11]

It's ok, but I'd take the Hyundai genesis coupe though. Good video

[@BaldyDude]

i own a 2009 insignia its luuuurvly

[@sl0907]

why only 270 hp? the euro spec vauxhall insignia vxr has 300+ hp and goes to 60 in a little over 5 seconds. why cant we have that?

[@paddyron1]

They should of put the 2.8T V6 from the Vauxhall or the 3.6 from the ats in this car.

[@EvanH]

I think you can thank CAFE for that...

[@mlps93]

a senior citizen already lol

[@neoconsnightmare3]

i'm sorry about the delay in response, but your statement didn't pop up. LOL. i get that you (and my friend and a few DIE HARD OTHERS) prefer manual, and buick (as well as most european and japanese manufacturers in this mid-sized family car segment) provide manual for you. however, car companies have to give the market what it wants, and in the u.s. 90% plus prefer auto. are we (i'm in that group) 'lazy'? maybe. but we don't need 100% of the cars potential as a daily commuter.

[@stevehammes]

Not that I've heard.

[@neoconsnightmare3]

actually, when you get past the 'boy racer' and 'boulevard racer' folks and reviewers, say edmunds or consumer reports, you'll find this car gets great reviews. why would you want a sports car with four doors? who are you racing? how many twisty roads are you really taking at 90 mph LEGALLY? fact is, this car (like the new ford fusion), acura tl and other 'premium' sedans give you more than enough 'zip' to get and stay on the expressway & leave stop lights without being embarrassed.

[@76carmel]

Remember, Steve, Buicks in the past were nicknamed "The Doctor's Car" because of its image. A doctor would be viewed "snobby" if he or she drove a Cadillac, and wasn't a good doctor if he/she drove a Chevy or Ford. But enough of its stereotype, and like the old saying of old Oldmobiles, this is not your father's Buick. Remember, the HiPer strut is in the top of the line LaCrosse.

[@camaroman101]

the interior is too buicky? what exactly does that mean

[@mlps93]

that's because it is not designed by Buick

[@erich84502ify]

No V6 AT ALL?

[@thegmcar]

how about LaCrosse?! it's also OPEL?! Buick is Buick

[@45barber1]

This or charger?

[@sage11x]

That's a nice looking vauxhall insignia-- wait...

[@DJzSith]

honestly I dont know much about american automobilia, as I am from Europe, home of the opel :D. I was laughing because the guy tries to link it to the past of the brand.

[@MultiJacob1978]

ITS NOT A BUICK ITS AN OPEL INSIGNIA AND MADE IN GERMANY

[@neoconsnightmare3]

i didnt say 'only'. fact is, MOST folks buying four door sedans are folks with families. YOU say buick isn't better than average, but that's only YOUR opinion. i know folks that love the new buicks, and then there are professionals at consumer reports, etc. calling buicks 'limp dick' is a personal, subjective and ultimately baseless statement. most folks don't worry too much about winding roads, 0-60 under 6 seconds, etc. in a family car. you can't make your baseless opinions fact.

[@emirsaracevic]

thank you OPEL.....no car without germans!

[@anisaramji9499]

emir saracevic

[@simonstegel]

2008 Opel Insignia rebadged :)

[@jaysizzlecity2]

What happened to the so called 4 wheel drive???

[@CeeStyleDj]

Jay Sizzle Music It came later :-)

[@litteringisfun]

why?

[@sage11x]

@neoconsnightmare3 Ah, but why stroll with the sheep when you can run with the wolves. While I agree with your assessment on the state of te manual transmission in the US, it's the fact that so few buy manuals that has me seeking them out. While autos are getting VERY good-- a manual will always give you full control and access to 100% of your cars potential whether it be carving a twisty road or simply carving up traffic.

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

That makes almost no sense. What happen to your brother and what you know has nothing to do with the value of this car in relation to the BMW in the same class.

[@stanbernadino]

GM and Ford are doing way too much brand engineering by taking European cars, slapping an American badge on it and calling it a new car. I'd like to see some American design here not just an Opel insignia with 10 grand slapped on the price. I had a last-gen Regal GS and it was almost as fast as this and got better mileage from a big V6. Disappointed in GM.

[@vwmatt33]

Good luck finding a 3 series for $36K.

[@camaroman101]

+1

[@nesezege]

Looks like opel Insignia 🤷

[@TheMichaelRN]

what?! buick?? i thought their dead.

[@BaldyDude]

only americans would moan about a 2.4 ltr turbo engine after all why would you want a v8 thats handles like a tennis ball and hasnt enough power to pull a crate get with the times european and japanese have been making 2ltr turbos with 200 plus bhp for years v8s shit handling and zero mpg are a u.s thing erm muscle cars or something stupid like that

[@DJzSith]

Buick? in 2012? =)))) There is no buick, just an opel insignia

[@coololds85]

Does anyone else feel alot disappointed like I am? This is not a car, it's an egg on four wheels.

[@emilsponga2081]

and you know america very well because you...live somewhere else ? this is not the opel . its a shitty buick , GM can , and has ruined many of the "imports" they have sold , like almost every one - and they sell lousy historically. why do you suppose they are gutted to 3 makes (well gmc too) and i bet they will need to trim at least one morw within 5 years