Used 2017 Buick Regal for Sale

Occupant protection comes from standard front, front-side and full-length side-curtain airbags. Additionally, the Premium II and GS trims include rear-side airbags. The Regal is also equipped with an anti-lock brake system, stability control and OnStar emergency telematics. The top two trims can also be equipped with lane-departure warning, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning. The latter can be upgraded with automatic braking.

In testing by the government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Buick Regal earned a perfect overall 5-star crash-test rating. The rating included 4-star frontal and rollover ratings, along with a 5-star side-impact score. The Regal received the best-possible rating of Good in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's moderate-overlap front crash, side and roof-strength tests, but it has not been subjected to the newer, more vigorous small-overlap front crash test. Its forward-collision automatic braking system received a Superior rating.

Behind the Wheel

Base-level Regal models are smooth and quiet, though acceleration is poor for a midsize sedan -- especially one with premium aspirations. It does a good job at splitting the difference between ride and handling, though, displaying a good bit of nimbleness without completely ignoring the fact that people expect a Buick to ride nicely (though plush it is not).

Things improve with the Regal Turbo trim and above, which features improved steering and a more sophisticated suspension. As a result, the car has a more dynamic feel, although it certainly can't match the best rear- and all-wheel-drive luxury sedans. Its turbocharged engine also disappoints. Though certainly far stronger than the anemic base engine, acceleration is still unremarkable, and there is noticeable turbo lag.

And for those expecting the Regal GS to offer a significant performance upgrade, you'll probably be disappointed. Yes, its adaptive suspension yields improvements to ride and handling, but it doesn't come with the power upgrade you might expect.

2017 Acura TLX -- Acura's TLX offers handsome styling, powerful engines and all-wheel drive. It's an excellent Regal competitor with slightly better badge appeal.

2017 Audi A4 -- The all-new Audi A4 essentially represents the same overall concept as the Regal but with far superior interior quality, driving dynamics, engines and overall refinement. It's more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

2017 Nissan Maxima -- The Maxima is another car that splits the difference between mainstream and luxury, and it arguably does a better job of it than the Regal. It's better to drive and has a nicer cabin, and its standard V6 engine blows the Buick's humble 4-cylinder away.

Used Lexus ES -- The Lexus ES does a great job at offering a comfortable driving experience with a hint of performance, especially if you opt for the V6-powered ES 350. It comes at a price premium over the Regal, though, so you may want to consider used models.