Buick Regal

Name: 2012 Buick Regal
Brand: Buick

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Buick Regal is a well-honed, pleasant sedan brought over from GM's German Opel subsidiary. As such it conveys a typically European driving experience, with a taut and steady ride, sporty handling, and excellent fit and finish. Firm, supportive seats and tight rear accommodations are another European hallmark. The base four-cylinder engine is underpowered, but agile handling tends to help make up for that. Overall fuel economy of 23 mpg is not all that impressive, however.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

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Buick Regal

vs. Similar Cars

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Infiniti G

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Buick vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Buick vs. Other New Car Brands

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Buick vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Luxury compact cars Ratings

2012 Buick Regal

$4,750 - $5,475

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Acura TSX

$8,000 - $9,200

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi A4

$5,500 - $7,200

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 BMW 3 Series

$6,575 - $12,650

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Infiniti G

$6,175 - $7,050

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus HS Hybrid

$9,725 - $10,725

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus IS

$10,075 - $22,800

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$5,250 - $16,375

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Saab 9-3

$ NA

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volvo S60

$5,300 - $10,550

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 turbo (270 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (220 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (182 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2018-2020

2018 Redesign Year

2018 brought the Regal Sportback, which had coupelike styling that artfully masked its hatchback configuration. The TourX wagon, also new, had a raised stance similar in concept to a Subaru Outback. Most versions used an energetic 2.0-liter, turbo four-cylinder engine; the sporty GS got a 3.6-liter V6. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions were available. The Regal has a comfortable ride, and road, wind, and engine noise are well-muted. Handling is capable and responsive, but it's less sporty than the previous generation. We found the seats to be comfortable and the cabin well-constructed, although a bit plain. 2020 was the final year for the Regal.

2011-2017

2011 Redesign Year

Before 2011, the Regal was a humdrum car with a floaty ride and rubbery steering. Buick revitalized the Regal nameplate in 2011, basing the model on Germany's Opel Insignia. As such, it conveys a typically European driving experience, with a taut ride, sporty handling, and excellent fit and finish. Firm, supportive seats and tight rear accommodations are another European trait of Buick's mid-size model. Changes for 2014 included more horsepower for the turbocharged engine, a revised interior treatment with simpler controls, more available contemporary electronic safety features and optional all-wheel drive.

1997-2005

1997 Redesign Year

This sedan provided a smooth ride and responsive routine handling in our tests in the early 1990s, but was not very competent in emergency maneuvers. Regals of this vintage have a split-bench front seat and an uncomfortable rear seat. The car was redesigned for 1997, but retained an old-fashioned floaty ride and rubbery steering. Handling is improved somewhat with the Gran Touring suspension package. Acceleration is good with the base 3.8-liter, 200-hp V6, and quicker with the supercharged version, which pumps out 240 horses and makes the Regal quick but not sporty.