2004 Buick Regal Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

OnStar assistance is standard on the top trim level of Buick's sportiest sedan for 2004. Regal shares a basic design with Buick's more conservative Century sedan, though it's more similar mechanically and in market positioning to the Pontiac Grand Prix. Regal comes in base LS and uplevel GS sedans. Both have automatic transmission and a V6 engine; the GS adds a supercharger for more power. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard. ABS is standard on the GS and optional on the LS, where it includes the GS's tire-pressure monitor and traction control. A side airbag for the driver is optional for both models. No side airbag for the front passenger is available. OnStar service is newly standard on the GS, but remains optional on the LS. Leather upholstery and firmer Gran Touring suspension are standard on GS, optional on LS. An option package named for fashion designer Joseph Abboud adds special paint and trim.

News

Buick replaces Regal for 2005 with a heavily revamped W-body sedan called LaCrosse, which also replaces the entry-level Century. Pontiac's latest Grand Prix follows an identical design formula, but LaCrosse differs somewhat in appearance, features and pricing.

LaCrosse offers three front-drive models, two engines, and mandatory 4-speed automatic transmission. The CX and step-up CXL use an updated version of Regal's veteran "3800" pushrod V6, with hp unchanged at 200. The top-line CXS sports a new all-aluminum 3.6-liter V6 with dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, and an expected 240 hp, the same output as Regal's supercharged 3800. The chassis is basically carryover, but Buick says new components and substantial retuning enhance ride, handling and quietness. The CXS includes firmer "Gran Touring" calibrations, plus standard 17-inch wheels. Other models are upgraded to 16-inch wheels. Every LaCrosse comes with 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, GM OnStar with one-year free service, remote keyless entry, and CD player. Options include head-protecting curtain side airbags, GM Stabilitrak antiskid/traction control, rear-obstacle detection, premium audio with in-dash CD changer and MP3 player, XM satellite radio, and a remote starting system that allows warming or cooling the interior before driving off. Compared to Regal, LaCrosse is 1.5 inches longer in wheelbase, nearly 2 inches longer overall, and fractionally wider and taller. Base curb weight rises by only some 30 pounds. Pricing won't be announced until just before sales begin this fall. We'll be getting our first taste of LaCrosse very soon, so keep checking back with us.

2004 Buick Regal Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy (supercharged V6)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS	GS	Class Average
6	7	5.2

Both Regals feel strong. Test GS did 0-60 mph in 6.9 sec, test LS in about 8 sec. Transmission shifts smoothly, promptly.

Fuel Economy

LS	GS	Class Average
5	5	5.3

GS not much thirstier than the LS, averaging between 16.9 and 20.1 mpg in our tests. Buick recommends premium-grade gas for GS.

Ride Quality

LS	GS	Class Average
7	7	6.2

Controlled and comfortable. LS base suspension rides about the same as Gran Touring setup.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS	GS	Class Average
6	7	6.1

Not European-sport-sedan agile, but controlled and well-balanced. GS pulls to the side due to torque steer in rapid takeoffs. We have not tested an LS without ABS, but with ABS, Regal's brakes are capable with firm pedal feel.

Quietness

LS	GS	Class Average
6	6	5.8

Some wind and road noise at highway speeds, but quiet overall.

Controls

LS	GS	Class Average
5	5	6.4

Climate controls are too complex, but most gauges and switches are legible and well-placed. Interior ambience suffers from lots of hard plastic surfaces. Lack of curtain side airbags shows Regal's age.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS	GS	Class Average
5	5	6

Roomy, but shorter people might feel confined by the tall dashboard. Subpar lateral support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS	GS	Class Average
4	4	4.5

Sufficient head and leg room for larger passengers, but cushion is too short and soft for adequate support. Not wide enough to comfortably fit three adults.

Cargo Room

LS	GS	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Trunklid opens wide, hinges don't intrude. But there's a wide bumper shelf to stretch over.

Value within Class

LS	GS	Class Average
5	5	6

Regal is less refined than Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, though it is competitively priced and--except for GM's stinginess in charging extra for ABS and a lone side airbag--is well-equipped.

Total Score

LS	GS	Class Average
54	56	56.1

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		44
Average Score		56
High Score		72

2004 Buick Regal Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/05/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 4-door sedan	$24,530	$22,445	$660

GS 4-door sedan	$28,980	$26,517	$660

Price note: GS requires Option Pkg. 1SD.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning w/dual-zone manual climate controls, interior air filter, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, map lights, visor mirrors, remote decklid release, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, fog lights, 215/70R15 tires, wheel covers.

GS adds to LS:

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 supercharged engine, traction control.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-inflation monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, leather upholstery, split folding rear seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, steering-wheel radio controls, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Gran Touring Suspension, 225/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Option Pkg. 1SD
GS (credit)	$-1,000	$-860
Standard equipment.

Luxury Option Pkg. 1SB
LS	$995	$856
Steering-wheel radio controls, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo net, floormats, 225/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC
LS	$2,420	$2,081
Luxury Option Pkg. 1SB plus dual-zone air conditioning, leather upholstery, split folding rear seat, rear armrest w/additional cupholders.

Gran Touring Pkg. Y56
LS	$600	$516
225/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Joseph Abboud Special Appearance Pkg. B2E
GS, LS	$350	$301
Two-tone upholstery, unique interior and exterior trim. LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC. GS requires 6-way power passenger seat.

Safety
Driver-side front side airbag
GS, LS	$350	$301
LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC.

Antilock brakes
LS	$600	$516
Includes traction control, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar telematics system
LS	$695	$598
Includes one-year service.

Dual-zone automatic climate controls
LS	$275	$237


Power sunroof
LS	$1,020	$877
GS	$900	$774
LS includes automatic day/night rearview mirror. LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC.

Heated front seats
GS, LS	$295	$254
LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC., antilock brakes.

6-way power passenger seat
GS, LS	$350	$301
LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC.

Split folding rear seat
LS	$275	$237
Includes rear armrest w/storage, two cupholders.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
GS, LS	$280	$241


Monsoon sound system
GS	$395	$340


Illuminated visor mirrors
LS	$95	$82


Floormats
LS	$80	$69


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
GS, LS	$35	$30


Chrome alloy wheels
GS, LS	$650	$559
LS requires Leather and Wheels Option Pkg. 1SC.

2004 Buick Regal Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Buick Regal 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	109.0

Overall Length, in.	196.2

Overall Width, in.	72.7

Overall Height, in.	56.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	3461

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	16.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	Supercharged ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	200 @ 5200	240 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	225 @ 4000	280 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/30	18/28

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Buick Regal 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	3

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Buick Regal Photos

Also in the 2004 Buick Regal Review:

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Buick Regal Road Test

Buick Regal Prices & Equipment

Buick Regal Specs & Safety

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