2018 Buick Regal TourX | Test Drive | Edmunds

[@SinAlameda]

I bought one, I've had it for a day. Its great. I have an Essence trim, for under $30k, I didn't look at much else other than the Subaru, which I felt was just too unattractive for me to want to drive. The leather seats are harder than they could be, true. The stop/start is annoying, although there is now a device which you can purchase to defeat it (with apparently some impact on remote start). The interior is gorgeous to look at, and the technology is honestly all you'd need. None of the reviews mention it, but at night, the metal trim on the dash has an invisible line of light, I don't know how, you can't see it in the daytime. But at night it illuminates and is very cool looking. The Essence package is a must, if you ask me, as the switches at the trunk to drop the seats alone is worthwhile, plus it includes the leather and a better infotainment screen. I did not get a sunroof, I have an Audi with a sunroom, and some leakage. I don't want to deal with that in 10 years. I did not get driver confidence package one or two. Don't know what I'm missing, so I guess I don't care. I did not get the "sights and sounds" package, so no Bose stereo. HOWEVER, the speakers still say Bose on them, and the sound is unbelievable. I am deeply suspicious, I wonder whether ALL of the cars have the Bose sound system. It would certainly make manufacturing easier. Then for an extra little bump in price, or a bargaining chip, the factory puts a "BOSE" logo in some cars. Dunno, just spit balling. If you, like me, are looking for a versatile vehicle that looks terrific, and can still haul the occasional something or other, while also going to the slopes (but not off road), put bikes on top, skies on top, etc., then I don't see that there's a better bang for your buck. Now if I had $100k plus for an E63s wagon....

[@normt5463]

Nice review!

[@rdj0981]

Thanks for the info. Seriously considering trading in my audi allroad for this

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Wagons ate the best, great review 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@koolskater30]

Do you still have it? Looking into a used one would be cool to hear a long term report

[@kenmingis8]

Bought it. Love it. Friends who see it are wowed by the style. Low-slung, long and stands out from the SUVs-are-everywhere crowd.

[@wolfshanze5980]

I recently traded-in my 2006 Dodge Magnum for a crossover... frankly, the Magnum was twice the wagon this car is... this Buick looks like a soccer-mom wagon.

[@kenmingis8]

I had an '05 Magnum (loved it) and a couple of the A6-base Audi allroads. This is definitely NOT a modern day Magnum. It really is like a cross between the A4 allroad and the Subie Outback. Very definitely has a German flair, which isn't surprising.

[@normt5463]

Awesome!

[@leroysmith3479]

He said "front seats feel narrow." I have a feeling if the seat could talk it would say "the driver feels a little wide."

[@Dark4estImagery]

I hear this all the time. I've even heard ppl say that about the Focus ST/RS. Big ppl don't drive small cars lol.

[@igotajopamerica3040]

This car was never advertised enough. Most people didn't and till don't know it ever existed.

[@randallbuxbaum7000]

I own a 2018 TourX Essence. Has a few more features than the unit reviewed. It’s been a great car. Gets down the road with ease and is a great winter driver. Got mine for 30K as they were heavily discounted. My 6th wagon including VW and Mercedes. 5 years later and not a single issue. Can’t say the same for the BMW I owned. Couldn’t join the Outback mafia. Would buy again without hesitation. Too bad they discontinued them in 2020.

[@bextar6365]

You can bet 99% of TourX buyers would never take it off road, like I would never do with my Subaru Outback.

[@rightlanehog3151]

;)

[@wolfshanze5980]

I really don't know how many people go off-roading in a Station Wagon... and to be fair, probably 99% of Crossover buyers don't go off-road either... i probably never will do anything beyond a dirt road in my Tucson.

[@TheNacropolice]

Or most Jeeps. Like there are some jeeps where I live that clearly have an off road package. Lights for days, thick wheels, etc....cleanest damn car I have ever seen.

[@goldleader2804]

Love my 2019 outback. I do take it off road. Does great for what I need it to.

[@robslover3770]

No one really off roads these. Or much of anything really. It's for snow, ice etc. Probably far better than a truck based 4wd in those conditions. My 04 Xterra goes anywhere I point it, but in snow and ice I'd rather have an AWD car.

[@LaurensSecretAdmirer]

Drove my tourX in snow recently and it handled it like a beast even with street tires.

[@JamesLStapleton]

And rest in peace to this gorgeous vehicle, all thanks to the basic ass SUV loving American consumer. I hate America for killing this wagon. 3 years in the USA. 3 years wasnt long enough.

[@markjiannino5643]

I was just going to look for it on Buick's page and only saw SUVS. This made me really angry, Im so tired of people only buying SUVs

[@Dark4estImagery]

Please, stop calling this an SUV alternative. It's not a SUV or Subaru competitor. It's a country tourer or wagon for country roads. If anything, it can be compared to the Volvo V60 or the smaller Golf wagon.

[@whatsongisthis5691]

How is it not a Subaru competitor? It is literally an Outback

[@ryandunn3440]

I believe this vehicle actually DOES have adaptive cruise. Thought I would point that out.

[@jeffshadow2407]

When I lease the TourX next Spring it will become a WILDCAT! I have all the emblems from 1966. The last two vehicles to be so enhanced were my 2007 Buick Lucerne CXS and my 2008 Buick Lucerne Super.

[@Steve-uw5bf]

YESSSSSS!

[@normt5463]

Post up pictures on Buickforums.

[@angusnz7910]

We got the same thing here in NZ, but badged as a Holden Calais V Tourer. Ours (well model I got) is 335hp direct injected V6 (your caddy engine I think), 9sp auto and 4 wheel drive. The V model has heated seats front and rear, cooled seats in the front and massaging seats in the front, full length sunroof, full adaptive cruise and traffic alert etc, and dash itself has electronic (tv screen) speedo which can be configured to several modes. From what I can find it’s only us and Aussie that got that combo. Very very under rated cars. Been VW for years but no more

[@EGGINFOOLS]

Talk about perspective of vehicles in it's class. Saying "it's not the most fuel efficient vehicle ever" or "it's not the sportiest vehicle out there" doesn't mean anything and puts a negative content to the review. We know it's not as good on gas as a Prius or as sporty as a Corvette.

[@grantlytle2376]

The model he is driving might not have adaptive cruise control but it is available on this car.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

I'm sort of puzzled why the reviewer is comparing this cargo capacity to small SUVs, when it reality is, it offers much more USEABLE room than most other vehicles, no matter what niche they fall into. I think a key point here when considering cargo capacity, from the point of view of a family man who frequently travels with gear, kids and animals is how much room is available when all the seats are being used. Look if I'm doing a solo run to Home Depot, and I can flop the seats down, then actually pretty much ANY car (even the painfully awkward/small Mazda 3/Ford Focus class of hatches) will suit my needs. (Granted, I'm not the guy who needs to buy a 4x8 sheet of plywood though). But if I've got the back seat loaded up with kids, coolers, dogs, whatever, and I'm making the cross country trip to Grandmas at Christmas I need to know I've got room for all those presents and gear bags in the "way back." And this vehicle with 32.7 cu Ft with the SEATS UP, offers a "way back" with twice as much space as many cars and SUVs with big trunks. The highly regarded Volvo XC90 for example, has a "seats up" cargo capacity of 15.8 cu ft (which by the way is comparable to a good mid-sized sedan's trunk).

[@Bomb0095]

I think that opel/Buick looks very pleasing. Here in Norway mostly wagons and SUVs are pupular. And I think the bodylines on that car is on par with an v60 or v90.

[@MaestroTJS]

We barely have any wagons for sale in North America, everything is a stupid SUV. VW and Subaru are the only mainstream manufacturers with wagons. The European luxury makers also sell them but they're obviously more expensive. This one is in-between I suppose.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Right on Maestro_T. We are the victims of an anti-wagon conspiracy of global proportions.

[@rightlanehog3151]

What's wrong with mama's Roadmaster?

[@roderickthomas6024]

Right Lane Hog RWD and Corvette V8. Yes please...

[@rightlanehog3151]

Roderick Thomas, It took two months but somebody finally read my comment. On top of all the attributes you mentioned, that cruelly derided Roadmaster could also carry full sheets of plywood!!!. What's not to like??

[@Konformation07]

Indeed but I like this one too. I'm a younger single guy and I like this TourX. Wtf is wrong with me? I had a Roadmaster Estate in the past. The really wide rear end almost seems Roadmaster-esque to me.

[@rightlanehog3151]

K7, It is just about the closest thing to a Roadmaster today.

[@kirill_gusev]

@@Konformation07 Once wagon driver - wagon driver for life :)

[@SSS-mp8th]

I really like it, I think they need to up the design in the cabin and offer a few more features like 360 degree camera and ventilated seats. A CX-9 Signature is similar in price, larger and has a nicer cabin. For me I'll probably go with a CPO V90 or V60 in a couple years although I'm sure Buick will have huge incentives on this after a while so that may sway me.

[@ApatLang]

I would go for the Sportback or even better, the GS

[@1970HondaCL100]

A SmartCar could handle those dirt roads you drove on, and the Buick looked like it was transferring all of the road bumps directly to your face (your voice is even shaking from the harsh ride).

[@tlipsey77]

Someone is gonna come out with a tune and fix the lag problem. After that, the Tourx is for sure a competitor.

[@normt5463]

Yeah, I know a turbocharger is stopped when the engine is. Better if he brake torqued it

[@tamiymyisrael8548]

How many people drive on gravel roads? For how long?

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

Lots of folks criticize the plastic cladding, and while I'm personally not a huge fan from a looks point of view, I do wonder if it serves a legit purpose...or rather at least has the side benefit of taking the brunt of road debris that might get kicked up while driving on gravel roads, etc.

[@carlover1799]

Love the new Buick TourX

[@jonathanjames471]

Why would people put bikes on the roof when there is plenty of room inside the car ?

[@kirill_gusev]

Perhaps they have passengers? Or cargo?

[@harbingertheheretic3541]

The best thing about this car is that it sells for $8k-$10k below sticker.

[@6footdirtnap]

The deciding factor for me with this car was the interior room, Im 6'8" 270lbs. I have passengers in my car that regularly remark on how they feel like children in it.

[@kdog18ful]

I wish they’d sell this without the plastic cladding

[@MaestroTJS]

Likewise, but ironically, the company that started this whole raised wagon segment with plastic cladding (Subaru) is the first to get rid of it. All the competitors have decided to add cladding but the Outback no longer has any.

[@thatonedudemyers4920]

Wat is cladding????

[@rrttyy11229]

Trucker’sView ikr

[@dereklwashington1132]

I just bought one exactly like this from carvana today!

[@La-yt1wr]

Nice Opel Insignia TourX

[@swanblake]

What is an extra large human? 6'10"?

[@jonathanjames471]

300lbs

[@vitaliygoldin5423]

I'm 6'9' and fit perfectly

[@EGGINFOOLS]

6'13"? 😂

[@ken_in_atx9619]

Did the reviewer just complain about the well bolstered front seats? Ugh. Really?

[@roderickthomas6024]

Ken Prince He's just fat

[@wolfshanze5980]

Like most Americans, so in other words, he speaks for the majority of Americans who would find the seats too small.

[@brandonpollard8928]

You saying the competitor's are "Audi and Volkswagen" before saying "Subaru and Volvo" is strange

[@MrBerlinPark]

A4/6 Avant and VW Passat are main competitors, also C-Class and E-Class station wagons, 5 series touring and Ford Mondeo. At least in Germany.

[@hellosunshine1090]

We love our Mercedes Benz e320 wagon but would give this TourX a serious look, once it's on the used market & has a bit of a mechanical track record, so to speak !

[@haoruchen4216]

it would be funny if GM keep importing from Opel even after its sold to the french!

[@jasonk19xx17]

That's the plan for the 2019 models. GM has an agreement with PSA to keep building these cars for them using the same GM engine.

[@dondenis1500]

I don't think Subaru has to worry about Buick taking sales away .

[@ivantnt26]

Love it !!!

[@randywilliams5042]

It's not a SUV it's a wagon not for off road. I like it.

[@fasto4720]

If only it was a seven passenger - then it's a SUV alternative.

[@pranksterDoug]

But the road master came with a 350 v8.

[@rightlanehog3151]

DW, The Roadmaster came with that V8 , RWD and enough space to carry the full sheets of plywood that would be required to build a garage large enough to hold it.

[@pranksterDoug]

It was a beauty.

[@rightlanehog3151]

DW, If I had the money and the space I'd love to have an old RWD V8 wagon. A Mercury Colony Park might be my first choice ;)

[@Acc0rd79]

I thought all of that plastic junk around the wheels went out in the 2000s, that makes the car look so bad when it begins to fade. It should just stay full metal all the way down, it's a Buick after all, not some cheap junk car.

[@FACTOTUM_55]

Acc0rd79 it's supposed to be for gravel/dirt roads. Plastic can take more of a beating

[@MaestroTJS]

VW, Audi, and Volvo have done the same thing. It's funny, because Subaru started that, but Subaru no longer uses plastic on the Outback. The plastic is really tacky.

[@cadsux]

In 1994, both the Subaru Legacy Outback and the Toyota RAV4 debuted the plastic cladding which covered the lower half of the body. Vehicles like the Regal TourX and Crosstrek have very little by comparison.

[@MaestroTJS]

Yeah, well, not long before 1994, you could still get wood panels on the side of your wagon or minivan. Some ideas deserve to die, especially when it's very obvious they've been tacked on and not been designed from the outset.

[@cadsux]

I agree. Especially the idea of unpainted plastic bumpers and fenders like the Dodge Neon and Honda Element!

[@u.p.trailseeker7350]

I like it!

[@rowboyto156]

This can be a nice looking hearse

[@67tomcat]

So do most SUV's......

[@lakevacm]

Looks cool.

[@BassRacerx]

is it a crap mic or is there a ton of road noise in this car?

[@MaestroTJS]

He's on a dirt road.

[@wolfshanze5980]

He chose to do all the audio for the review on a very noisy dirt road... he should have done most of the audio on a paved road, and done a brief clip of how it performs on a dirt road.

[@revmotor]

Obligatory Carlos comment

[@JogBird]

the plastic wheel cladding makes it cheap af

[@lawrencey0y]

the audi a4 allroad and crv are like that

[@williamerazo1685]

Like it, put in the voltec powertrain and battery and it my buy

[@nelagordon24]

This is the same as a SAAB 9-3 SportCombi 2.0L Turbo

[@kirill_gusev]

So you take German wagon, strip off adjustable suspension, manual gearbox and variety of engines and call it your new offering. Way to go, Buick.

[@jamesseaver6326]

he is 5/9 210lbs

[@tigerbalm666]

name it Tour XXX...for crying out loud

[@choibo21c]

isn't it Chinese owned, popular Chinese car? I saw so many Buicks while I was in China

[@rightlanehog3151]

This Buick is made in Germany by a French-owned company.

[@Republic3D]

This is an Opel Insignia

[@wolfshanze5980]

Why are so many people obsessed with pointing out Opel? Opel is a GM brand, Buick is a GM brand, Chevy is a GM brand, Cadillac is a GM brand... Opel/Buick, they're both GM cars, who cares?

[@detroitghost7916]

So what? It is a fantastic car.... try driving one before gushing the hate

[@Konformation07]

Mithrennon of Aegwynn The fact that it is an Opel Insignia is what attracts me to it.

[@detroitghost7916]

I had no idea that it was an Opel/Buick combination, but I have put 2000 miles on the car and it is phenomenal. Very happy i traded the BMW for it... Buick should promote the car more... if you drive it you will buy it.

[@Konformation07]

Detroit Ghost I intend to buy one as well and I'll already have a set of Opel badges with me so the dealer can install it before I drive it off the lot

[@shwndh]

It would look so much better without the cladding and the high ride height. Just bring the Opel over and rebadge it. Why does the American market HAVE to have that stupid cladding over the wheels and an identity crisis? It's a wagon!

[@normt5463]

The cladding over the wheel arches is removable.

[@scottlynch5804]

No doubt a nice car, but with GM interior quality and without the latest safety tech (e.g.: adaptive cruise control), it's about $8-10K overpriced. An Outback gives is a better choice for lesser money.

[@Steve-uw5bf]

Yeah I agree - this car needs to come with ALL available safety tech standard, at least on the mid-level model. $40k is a big spend for a Buick...that's import (perceived better lux/safety/handling) territory. I'm in the market as we speak; currently drive an '07 RDX. GM, if you want my money, show me the value prop. This should top out at $34k loaded. That would get my attention.

[@turbolq4]

Subaru insists on using a CVT. That is the ultimate deal killer. It could have gold trim and a flux capacitor and I still wouldn't want it because of the transmission.

[@normt5463]

@@Steve-uw5bf You can get the TourX for $10,000 off MSRP so for about $25-30K!

[@swank1975]

Just get the Volvo. It's the only real AWD soft offroad wagon. Especially considering the reliability, safety, and fit N finish

[@detroitghost7916]

Nothing better than an overpriced status design train wreck with a Chinese engine...

[@swank1975]

Detroit Ghost. Hey ghost of Detroit's dead auto industry, I'll take the Volvo any day. 20+ year proven track record with awd cars, better performance, and better safety..

[@detroitghost7916]

Yeah, but everybody loves a comeback. I have driven a variety of Buicks since the 60s and they were all soft and similar except for a nasty GNX which I loved but did not own. I own this car and it is spectacular from a handling standpoint with a fantastic torque laden twin turbo four... I would take it over the Audi Allroad all day long and I owned two of those. Maybe you just like the fact that the Volvo is a Chinese Geely car... Detroit may arise again!! Read the book

[@swank1975]

The V90XC is made in Sweeden. I cannot see where their engine is made in China. Perhaps you could point me in that direction. I just spoken with a Volvo rep via chat on the Volvo website and they tell me the engine for the V90XC is built in sweeden. www.carscoops.com/2016/06/first-volvo-v90-rolls-off-assembly-line/

[@detroitghost7916]

Whoa! I was only telling people how good the Buick/Opel TourX was... some people like to hear from the guy who just bought one. I was amazed by the car and the performance. I could care less about the Volvo, Geely interested me because they had bought Volvo automobiles (not heavy industries or marine products) They are producing the V90XC in China but maybe Sweden too... Check Wikipedia and reference the Daqing Plant Daqing Volvo Car Manufacturing .... either way I hope people at least give the Buick a try..

[@torrid94]

Volvo much??

[@jamesgjt]

cheaper Audi allroad.....

[@detroitghost7916]

Owned the allroad and I own this and believe me I would take the Buick all day long

[@Intrepid17011]

The Regal is bigger, has more interior space and a much better AWD system. Yes, its cheaper, but better. And of course more reliable, since Audis isnt really know for being super reliable.

[@bextar6365]

Lets be honest, this vehicle is aimed at mature buyers with $$$$$...not kids !They would hate to be seen driving a wagon.

[@socalguy97]

Bextar636 I completely agree. The market isn’t children for this. I’m a current Buick owner in my early 40’s and would be embarrassed if this had the same appeal as something a teen or 20 something driver would gravitate toward.

[@ApatLang]

I'd rather have a wagon than a gay crossover. At least wagons are honest about what they are

[@MaestroTJS]

GeorgeInHerJungle Crossovers are utter shit. The main reason automakers love them so much is so they can charge you the price of a segment above for giving you a segment below. (Example: a CR-V is only the size of a theoretical Civic wagon but they charge you the price of an Accord for it.) They are very profitable for that reason, whereas sedans aren't.

[@ugoffsucks]

Bextar636 idk I'm 27 and love the look of this! Just question the fact its a general motors product

[@ApatLang]

It's GM owned but it's built and designed by Germans

[@tyusrobinson9869]

🚮🚮

[@ohadzic6377]

This guy is driving car on dirt road (30-40 miles per hour) commenting how all wheel drive is great. Is it really? Let's put it in mud or snow and then talk about it. AWD does nothing for you once you are moving. This guy is a joke

[@weirdshibainu]

Nothing says street cred like saying that you drive a Buick station wagon. Fail.

[@tyusrobinson9869]

weirdshibainu the type of person buying this won't gaf about street cred

[@MrNemo721]

"Street Cred"? What are you a 16, driving a riced up Infiniti G with underbody lights? Real enthusiasts like wagons

[@weirdshibainu]

Tyus Robinson except thar the type of person driving this is a tiny percentage of the market

[@weirdshibainu]

FedoraMcGentlesir no Im not 16 asshole..I use to sell buicks and Cadillacs..buicks were hard to sell as they had an old person image..this wagon only reinforces that image...if real enthusiasts drove wagons, then why as a segment does it fail?

[@MrNemo721]

K grandpa

[@swanblake]

The VW competitor has a nicer and better quality interior for less. I Don't see the appeal at all in the Chevy plastics interior

[@ExRev79]

Have you seen the new VW its all cheap now.

[@swanblake]

Rick Tobin yes but still better than this. I'm not saying you are wrong but for $10k less, I think it's every bit on par with this Buick and prefer it's head unit.

[@ExRev79]

yeah you can't argue 10k. And VW do drive really nice.

[@swanblake]

Rick Tobin well and that was my other thought. They drive so well. Personally I don't have alot of money so I would lean towards the VW if I was shopping in this class

[@SSS-mp8th]

The Golf wagon is substantially smaller than this. This is the same size as a Subaru Outback. The Sportwagon or All-track is also very under-powered at 170hp versus 250hp and it's also down 100 lb/ft.

[@infidel24]

Whoever designed it and gave it the green light for production should be fired!

[@FACTOTUM_55]

don198769 beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it looks good.

[@MaestroTJS]

Oh, but you think GM's SUV's look good or something? The Acadia and Terrain are rolling hunks of crap, not to mention the square boxes like the Escalade. The most irritating part of this car is the plastic moldings on the fenders. Unfortunate.

[@edipires15]

Do you know that it is a rebadged Opel Insignia?