How do you make a sedan more practical without making it into something else?
Make it a hatchback sedan.
Buick calls the new Regal hatchback sedan a Sportback, but it amounts to the same thing. Instead of a traditional small-opening trunk that most sedans have, this one has a tall opening. And with the back seats laid flat, the car has enough room to sleep two — 60.7 cubic feet, whereas the outgoing Regal sedan trunk has 14.2 cubic feet.
But the key thing is it doesn't look awkward, as hatchbacks sometimes do (see, for a contrary example, the late Honda Accord Crosstour). The Sportback side profile is sleek and tapered. It looks like a fastback sedan, which is the same look as some other sedans in this class, including the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata.
But they have trunks — and don't sleep any in them.
And with the exception of the Fusion, which isn't long for this world, the Buick is the only one that offers all-wheel drive and a V-6 engine.
What It Is
The Sportback is a midsize mid-priced hatchback sedan that's generally comparable to other midsize family sedans.
The base 1SV trim with front-wheel drive, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission has a $24,990 sticker. From there you can select Preferred, Preferred II or Essence trims, each available with all-wheel drive.
The sport-themed Regal GS comes standard with a 3.6-liter V-6, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. Its sticker is $39,070.
What's New
The Sportback is all new for 2018. It replaces the Regal sedan in Buick's lineup.
What's Good
The hatchback layout multiplies practicality without mussing up the lines.
It has a stronger standard engine than other mid-priced sedans do, including the Sonata, Fusion and Accord.
It has about 2 inches more back-seat legroom (37.4 inches) than that of the Sonata (35.6 inches).
AWD is available. The Sonata and Accord only have front-wheel drive.
What's Not So Good
AWD is available for a lot less in the Ford Fusion ($27,285 versus $31,680, the price of the least expensive AWD-equipped Regal Sportback).
The Accord sedan has considerably more back-seat legroom (40.4 inches).
The Sonata costs less to start ($22,050).
Under the Hood
The Sportback comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and either an eight-speed automatic or nine-speed automatic transmission, depending on whether you choose front-wheel drive (gets the nine-speed) or all-wheel drive (gets the eight-speed).
Either way, the Buick standard engine is stronger than the standard engines in the Fusion (2.5 liters, no turbo and 175 horsepower), the Accord (1.5 liters, turbocharged, 192 horsepower) and the Sonata (2.4 liters, no turbo, 185 horsepower).
So equipped, the Regal gets from zero to 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds — quicker than all of its standard-engine rivals. You burn a bit more gas for the extra speed, though. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the FWD version at 22 mpg city and 32 highway; with the optional AWD, ratings dip a bit to 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
The new Accord sedan — as a counterpoint — rates as high as 30 mpg city and 38 highway. But it takes about one second longer to get to 60.
The range-topping Regal Sportback GS comes standard with a 310 horsepower V-6 paired with a performance-calibrated eight-speed automatic and standard AWD. It is even quicker — zero to 60 mph in the mid- to high-five-second range. Gas mileage with this combo is 19 mpg city and 27 highway.
On the Road
Whether you go with the standard turbo four-cylinder or the optional V-6, you'll have more power — and stronger performance — than that of most of the cars in this class.
The Ford Fusion is the only rival that offers more power (325 horsepower if you buy the twin-turbo V-6) and stronger performance (zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds) along with AWD in the same package. But Ford just announced it will soon end production of most of its sedans, which presumably include the Fusion. And while the Fusion is quicker, it's not as plush — or as quiet — as the Buick. Ford designed it to be sporty, and it is. Buick designed the Regal to be comfortable .
At the Curb
It doesn't look like a hatchback. It looks like a fastback — like the new Accord and Sonata. But unlike both of them, you can drop the back seats flat, raise the rear glass, and stretch out back there and take a nap — or put stuff back there that would never fit inside the much smaller trunks of the Accord, Sonata and Fusion sedans.
In keeping with the Buick vibe, the cabin layout is designed to be classy rather than flashy. The main gauge cluster and standard LCD touch screen have blue backlighting.
The Rest
All trims come standard with 4G connectivity and in-car Wi-Fi, but you don't get dual rear USB charge ports unless you move up to the Preferred or Essence trims. Other desirable features including the AWD system are similarly restricted to the more expensive trims, which is the only nit one can pick with this otherwise very appealing hatchback.
The Bottom Line
Buick may have figured out a way to resuscitate sedan sales by improving the function without messing up the form.
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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