Author Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist; Day 1 (Read 26906 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 22, 2012, 04:10:48 am »

The Regal eAssist puts a mild-hybrid powertrain in Buick's mid-sized sedan. Follow James' blog this week to see if it lives up to its hybrid promises.
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Jaeger · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:51:43 am »

Regal eh? Never heard it.

And what is this pot you speak of stirring?

That 2.4 needs all the assist it can get, "e" or otherwise. So this has got to be an improvement.

You sure that $40k price isn't a misprint? 42k if you want a sunroof and HIDs? Ouch.

Jaeger

Mike · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:29:51 am »

Quote from: Jaeger on February 22, 2012, 07:51:43 am

Regal eh? Never heard it. And what is this pot you speak of stirring?

That 2.4 needs all the assist it can get, "e" or otherwise. So this has got to be an improvement.

You sure that $40k price isn't a misprint? 42k if you want a sunroof and HIDs? Ouch.

Jaeger

Don't worry Roger, my review of the $45,000+ Buick Lacrosse eAssist goes up tomorrow. It's going to be a busy week for you

nlm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:41:27 am »

That's one expensive 4-cyl and it's only naturally aspirated. Sure it has 'e' boost, but unless that fuel consumption is dramatically different in the real world, this eAssist is one expensive gimmick.

Jaeger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:42:18 am »

Yikes - thatsalottadough for a little e-help.

Hmmm.... 42k gets me this, or a Regal GS... tough choice.... I'd have to ponder that for 2, maybe 3 nanoseconds.....

Jaeger

PS - James - I think you have the highway and city figures reversed.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:28:34 am »

I really just don't get why anyone would buy this vehicle. I have to admitt that I'm not a GM fan. I've driven half a dozen of them over the past 3 years from Buick and Chevy and not one of them has impressed. On monday I rented a Chevy Malibu with 20,000 kms on it (4 cylinder) and was extremely disappointed. I went around 350 kms of which 95% would be highway and it averaged a very poor 8.8L/100km (oh and it wasn't crazy cold outside either being only -5). Just two weeks ago I had a Nissan Altima with 80,000 kms on it (4 cylinder) and it averaged 7.1L/100km for the same exact route and around the same temp.

If I wanted something like this Regal eAssist I think I would venture over to the Hyundai/Kia lot or the Toyota dealer. If I was willing to wait a bit I'd take the Ford Fusion Hybrid that I'm sure will be much better than this Buick. It will be interesting what this Buicks fuel economy is by the end of the week.

dutch · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:52:48 am »

Quote from: nlm on February 22, 2012, 08:41:27 am

That's one expensive 4-cyl and it's only naturally aspirated. Sure it has 'e' boost, but unless that fuel consumption is dramatically different in the real world, this eAssist is one expensive gimmick.

Couldn't agree more - in real life driving I can't imagine fuel economy to be that dramatically different to justify the extra $$. Will have to see what your fuel economy is like at the end of your test.

I guess some people will pay the extra $$ just to be seen as "green"

philmcneal · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:31:31 am »

for the same money I rather just get the upcoming 320 BMW 2012 which offers simliar fuel economy with a start/stop system... or if I really want to save on gas the lexus CT200h or a camry hybrid which offers simliar luxury for less 39k geez GM i can understand 32k or something but why the high MSRP?

nsmyhte · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:49:38 am »

I've driven the Regal turbo. Its ok but I think all Regals are quite overpriced (except maybe the GS). The interior is decent but nothing special. Quite dour and boring and the centre console is terribly impracticle. It rides well, is quiet, and has a nice solid feeling.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:11:42 am »

Checked one out at the dealer in Kanata a few days ago. US import with $26k asking price.
Couldn't get over the feeling how worn the car was on the inside after only 1 year of use. The steering wheel leather shone like it was 10yo, the leather seats were cracked and shiny. Then I got to the back seat, and when I closed the door, there was a loud clank inside the door panel. I pointed all these things out to the sales person on the floor, he had nothing to say. He did ask me what I was driving though

Then I went to check out a Caddy SRX that was sitting next to it. Also a US import. Same bloody thing. The steering column leather is worn and shiny, the seats are cracked and shiny. Yuck. And they were asking $40k for it. Nuts!

I've put 15k on the 328 so far and there is absolutely no wear on it seen anywhere. It's like it just came off the showroom floor.

Sorry, GM, you need to try better if you want my business.

Minou · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:57:01 am »

Quote from: JohnnyMac on February 22, 2012, 09:28:34 am

I really just don't get why anyone would buy this vehicle. I have to admitt that I'm not a GM fan. I've driven half a dozen of them over the past 3 years from Buick and Chevy and not one of them has impressed. On monday I rented a Chevy Malibu with 20,000 kms on it (4 cylinder) and was extremely disappointed. I went around 350 kms of which 95% would be highway and it averaged a very poor 8.8L/100km (oh and it wasn't crazy cold outside either being only -5). Just two weeks ago I had a Nissan Altima with 80,000 kms on it (4 cylinder) and it averaged 7.1L/100km for the same exact route and around the same temp.

If I wanted something like this Regal eAssist I think I would venture over to the Hyundai/Kia lot or the Toyota dealer. If I was willing to wait a bit I'd take the Ford Fusion Hybrid that I'm sure will be much better than this Buick. It will be interesting what this Buicks fuel economy is by the end of the week.

I just spent a week in FL in an Altima 2.5S with the CVT and got 7.6l/100 km over 800 km in a mix of highway and city. Sure it was warmer but compares to what you obtained with yours. Ironically, I was offered either a Malibu or Altima at the rental counter but chose the latter because I wanted to try the Ski-Doo transmission. My thread on it here:
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,77881.0.html

Agree with everyone else on the too high MSRP's of recent GM vehicles and not sure the quality is there. Pass.

Here's LLN story on the Regal eAssist. Mileage fell short of EPA numbers.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-regal-eassist-review.html

ArticSteve · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:21:57 pm »

I wanted to try the Ski-Doo transmission

It's a wonderful transmission if you live in hilly country.

2latecrew · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:51:12 am »

Quote

Buyers in the luxury segment are generally looking for more power, but maybe Buick knows something we don’t.

Best quote of the entire article.

Mike · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:57:08 am »

I see this trunk is cut up into pieces much like the Lacrosse eAssist.

James, I didn't know you curled? I started when I was 10 (although I haven't been on a rink in 5 or so years). autos.ca Curling team!

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2012, 11:14:40 am »

James, if you are struggling to get your broom into the trunk of a Buick then the apocalypse truly is nigh...

Spec5 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2012, 12:51:52 pm »

And WHY exactly is the battery in the trunk? And don't tell me its to make for better weight distribution.

Mike · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2012, 12:55:58 pm »

Quote from: Spec5 on February 23, 2012, 12:51:52 pm

And WHY exactly is the battery in the trunk? And don't tell me its to make for better weight distribution.

No where else to shove it I am sure

Jaeger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2012, 12:57:53 pm »

You'd think there'd be some kind of law against bringing any Buick product to market that couldn't easily swallow a few sets of golf clubs. That trunk definitely does not look up to the task.

Jaeger

sailor723 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2012, 01:07:08 pm »

The whole eAssist thing smacks of "gimmack" to me. Sounds like something that came out of the marketing department rather than engineering.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2012, 01:55:36 pm »

All about the new CAFE requirements.

Author Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist; Day 1 (Read 26906 times)

nsmyhte