2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD

Are station wagons making a comeback? Buick sure hopes so. The Regal TourX is a new wagon from the automaker that produced the original Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon way back in 1947. Buick had record sales in 2017, and the introduction of the Regal TourX broadens the brand’s line-up.

 

The new Regal TourX is basically a long version of the Regal sedan. It’s got standard all-wheel-drive so it’s ready for the unpredictable weather in the Pacific Northwest. And it’s got lots of room for passengers, pets and cargo.

 

There are a few wagons available now, including the Audi A4 Allroad, the VW Golf All track, the Subaru Outback and a couple offerings from Volvo, the V69 and V90 Cross Country. Wagons make a lot of sense. They’re practical and great family vehicles. They’re still popular in Europe. But for Americans, it’s all about SUVs and a wagon is something with wood paneling that parents or grandparents drove back in the 60s.

 

It’s available in TourX, Prefrred and Essence trims. Starting prices range from $29,070 to $35,000. Fully loaded, it’ll cost you about 40-grand. It’s interesting to note that the TourX is built in Germany at a plant General Motors used to own before it was sold to Peugeot-Citroen in 2017.

 

The TourX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s quick off the line and there’s enough power for most driving situations, but sometimes the eight-speed transmission hesitates before finding the right gear. Once you’re cruising along, it’s a nice and smooth ride. The TourX is a very pleasant daily driver that handles like a sedan, albeit a long one.

 

EPA mileage estimates are 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with a combined rating of 24 mpg. I got 24 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Advanced stop/start technology is standard.

 

The interior has a clean design which suggests practicality over opulence. Materials are high-end with a nice look and feel. Controls are logically laid out. Passengers in both rows of seating enjoy plenty of room. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The cabin is very quiet. Buick uses material from parachutes to nullify the noise.

 

A seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on the TourX and Preferred trims. The Essence trim gets an eight-inch system with optional navigation. The infotainment system works great. It’s very intuitive. OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi is standard with a three-month/3GB data trial, and access to an unlimited data plan is offered for $20 per month.

 

Every Regal TourX comes with Hill Start Assist, universal home remote and heated side mirrors. Many driver assistance technologies are available. The Driver Confidence I package has Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist. The Driver Confidence II package adds Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning Forward Collision Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking.

 

The Regal TourX and the Sportback are the first Buick models with a standard active hood pedestrian safety system that senses the imminent impact of a pedestrian between 16 and 30 mph and uses a pyrotechnic actuator to life the back of the hood up about four inches to lessen the impact and potentially reduce injury.

 

The wagon has 32.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and a cavernous 73.5 cubes with the second row folded, which is more cargo space than the Volvo V60 Cross Country, Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3-Series Sport Wagon and Subaru Outback. The hands-free power liftgate is standard on the Essence trim.

 

The good:

Great vehicle for families

Pleasant daily driver

Lots of room for passengers and cargo

Intuitive infotainment system

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard

Stands out from the crowd of SUVs and crossovers

 

The not-so-good:

Transmission can hesitate before finding the right gear

Long length can be challenging to maneuver in tight parking lots

 

Pricing info:

My tester starts at $35,020. The Sights and Sounds Package is $1,095 and adds the Buick infotainment system with navigation, HD radio and a premium audio system. The Driver Confidence package I is $1,725 and adds wireless charging, Led headlamps, cornering lamps, automatic headlamp control and leveling, rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, memory settings for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, driver four-way seat and power lumbar, and outside heated and auto-dimming driver mirrors. White Frost Tricoat is $995. Destination charge is $925, bringing the grand total to $39,760.

 

Bottom line:

The TourX is comfortable, practical, and functional with lots of safety features and all-wheel drive with a modern, handsome look. In short, it’s everything you’d want in a family vehicle, just like those old-school station wagons from the past.

2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD