With most new car buyers looking at crossovers, SUVs, pickups, and not much else, several traditional segments are on the verge of dying. Mid-size sedans are on this list, as several companies have already given up on them.
Buick is on this list, too, at least when it comes to North America, where it has become a crossover-only brand. Its lineup includes models such as the Encore GX, Envista, Envision, and Enclave. The last Regal rolled off the line during the 2020 model year, sharing its nuts and bolts with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia from the PSA era, which was also sold under the Holden Commodore moniker.
Unless you are up to speed with China's ever-increasing new car market, you probably don't know that Buick still sells the aging Regal in the People's Republic. It is not the prettiest in its class, as the design is on the controversial side, especially with that wide grille, pointy nose, and new headlamps of the latest iteration. It's not good looking at the other end, either, where its Insignia roots are even more visible.
It features a generous range of equipment, with the entry-level getting black leather upholstery, heated front seats with electric adjustment, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, an 8-inch infotainment system, a voice assistant, and a 4.2-inch cluster display. The range-topping version gets 18-inch alloys, a power trunk lid, dual exhaust tips, 8-inch digital gauges, and brown leather upholstery, among others.
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | Digimods Design
Power comes from a 1.5L turbocharged mill rated at 166 hp (169 ps/124 kW), mated to a nine-speed auto. The upper trim level uses a 2.0L four-pot making 233 hp (237 ps/174 kW). The zero to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) acceleration takes 9.1 seconds in the former and 7.1 seconds in the latter, and the top speed is 127 mph (205 kph) and 149 mph (240 kph), respectively.
It is clear that Buick has no intention of giving the Regal mid-size sedan another shot in North America, but that doesn't mean such a model cannot exist in the virtual realm. Several pixel manipulators have resurrected it these past couple of years, with the latest we came across being the work of Digimods Design on YouTube and featuring a very familiar styling.
From certain angles, this hypothetical 2025 Buick Regal sends Hyundai Sonata vibes. However, we wouldn't complain if the company gave it another shot with a similar look, and we reckon it might be on the appealing side of things with a few minor adjustments at the front and rear. Do you think the GM-owned auto brand should start making low-slung models again? And would you be ready to pick one over a similarly sized and priced crossover/SUV? Work that keyboard below and let us know.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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