Hitting 100,000 miles on any car is a significant milestone, but for our 2018 Buick Regal TourX wagon, it marks five years of family adventures and daily drives. Clocking around 20,000 miles annually, it’s safe to say this Rioja Red wagon has become an integral part of our lives. Despite the usual wear and tear from city parking and road trips, this Buick Regal Wagon has aged gracefully, earning our continued admiration. As we consider moving on to something new, reflecting on our journey with this wagon is essential.
Back in 2018, when we purchased our Buick Regal wagon, favorable interest rates and manufacturer incentives made it an opportune time to buy. Securing a zero-percent loan for 72 months from GM Financial, coupled with cash rebates, was an offer hard to refuse. Today’s automotive market is vastly different, making deals like that a distant memory. Our Buick Regal wagon was practically brand new when we picked it up, boasting just eight miles on the odometer. Since then, every mile added has been part of our family’s story.
While not every mile has been completely trouble-free, the vast majority have been enjoyable and reliable. Considering the Buick Regal wagon’s German engineering pedigree and reaching the 100,000-mile mark, some minor issues are expected.
Our most significant issue occurred just over a year ago during a road trip. Without warning, various car systems began to fail while driving on the highway. Warning lights illuminated the dashboard, throttle control became erratic, the stabilitrak system engaged randomly, and cruise control ceased to function. Pulling over at the nearest auto parts store, we initially suspected a battery issue. A voltage test confirmed low voltage, and replacing the battery seemed to resolve the problem temporarily.
However, the symptoms reappeared after about a thousand miles. Keeping the car on a trickle charger overnight would temporarily alleviate the issue. Multiple visits to the dealership yielded no solutions, as the battery always presented as fully charged during inspections. Eventually, a fortunate coincidence occurred when the emergency braking system began malfunctioning severely near the dealership. This time, we left the car for diagnosis, and it was determined that the body control module was the culprit. The repair took six days and cost approximately $600, but since then, the Buick Regal wagon has performed flawlessly.
Beyond the body control module, we’ve encountered only minor, albeit irritating, issues. The front bumper tow plug cover has been replaced twice, only to be lost again during winter road trips. We’ve opted to forgo replacement rather than repeatedly pay for new covers and paintwork. Another minor cosmetic issue involved the steering wheel radar cruise switch, which required replacement in 2021 at a few hundred dollars.
Apart from routine maintenance like tires and oil changes, and the body control module replacement, this Buick Regal wagon has proven exceptionally reliable. Based on our experience, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Buick Regal wagon to anyone seeking a practical and dependable vehicle, especially in the used car market.
Two minor design choices are worth noting. The absence of front parking sensors, despite having rear sensors, is a slight inconvenience. While the rear sensors are helpful for backing up, the lack of front sensors means drivers must be more cautious when pulling forward, especially considering the wagon’s length. It’s surprising, given the radar sensor in the front badge, that front parking assist wasn’t included. Secondly, the discontinuation of the Buick Regal wagon is a genuine disappointment. It’s a capable and versatile vehicle that deserved to remain in production.
Fuel economy for the Buick Regal wagon is adequate but not exceptional. City driving with the turbocharged 2-liter engine and all-wheel drive typically yields fuel consumption in the low 20s mpg. However, highway driving significantly improves fuel efficiency, regularly reaching the high 30s mpg when adhering to speed limits. Our best recorded fuel economy was 37.4 mpg over 450 miles, achieved during steady-state highway driving with some downhill sections.
Buick Regal TourX fuel economy display
Kudos to Opel, the original manufacturer, for creating such a well-rounded vehicle. Our Buick Regal wagon has served us admirably, but our needs are evolving. We require a vehicle with a higher towing capacity for larger loads. Therefore, it’s time to part ways with our beloved wagon and make space for a Porsche Cayenne Diesel, chosen for its 8,000-pound towing capability and added comfort. While we embrace the new SUV, we will fondly remember our time with the Buick Regal wagon.
Although the Buick Regal wagon’s 1,000-pound towing capacity was sufficient for motorcycles, our current requirements necessitate more. Transitioning to an SUV was a decision driven by practicality, and the Cayenne Diesel, despite not being a typical choice for us, has proven surprisingly appealing. With planned cosmetic modifications and new wheels and tires on the way, we are excited for the next chapter, but will always appreciate the versatility and reliability of the Buick Regal wagon.
