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2002 Buick Regal
Date Published: 2/20/08

2002 Buick Regal
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MSRP:
$23,485 - 27,485

Invoice:
$21,489 - 25,149

Class:
Midsize Car
2002 Buick Regal
Expert Rating Summary
Category LS Rating (See All
Ratings)
Midsize Car Average Rating
Acceleration 6 5
Fuel Economy 5 5.3
Ride Quality 7 6.2
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 5.8
Quietness 6 5.4
Controls 5 6.3
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 5 5.7
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 4.3
Cargo Room 5 4.6
Value within Class 5 6
Total Score: 54 54.6
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2002 Buick Regal Review
Regal shares a basic design with Buick's conservative Century sedan, but is more similar in market positioning and performance to its other platform-mates, the Oldsmobile Intrigue and Pontiac Grand Prix. Regal comes in LS and uplevel GS sedans. Both have automatic transmission and a V6 engine; the GS adds a supercharger for more power. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, a tire-pressure monitor, and traction control are standard. Leather upholstery, side airbag for the driver, and firmer Gran Touring suspension are standard on GS, optional on LS. A package named for fashion designer Joseph Abboud adds power sunroof, and special paint and trim. On LS, the Abboud option brings much of the GS's standard equipment, including Gran Touring suspension and 16-inch wheels. Among the few 2002 changes: Steering-wheel radio controls are newly standard on the GS.
Competition
Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both come in coupe and sedan forms, offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced.

Recommended models include the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, plain-Jane Ford Taurus, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles. The restyled and larger Nissan Altima is new to the Recommended list this year. We are impressed with interior room and road manners, but disappointed by the budget-level interior materials and assembly.
News
Like sister Century, Regal keeps losing sales: down 12 percent in calendar 2000 and another 23.3 percent in 2001. Factors include a stuffy image, aging basic design (vintage 1997), and rougher-than-ever class competition.

Regal should remain pretty much as is until it's redesigned on General Motors' "Mid Lux" platform, basically a revamp of the current "W-body" foundation. At the same time, the lineup is expected to expand downward to include lower-priced models as replacements for the Century, which will be dropped. Though originally slated for model-year 2005, the redesigned Regal is likely now an '06 debut. That's because Robert A. Lutz, GM's new product czar, didn't like the proposed styling and ordered changes that will reportedly delay introduction by at least six months.
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