2011 Buick Regal

Rating: Must try

$32,000-$42,000

2.4L 4-cylinder with 182hp

2.0L turbo 4-cylinder with 220hp

4-year/80,000 km warranty

Standard safety features include:

Front, side and curtain air bags, ABS, stability and traction control

Average fuel consumption per year: N/A

Initial quality score: N/A

Dependability score: N/A

Pros:

The Regal makes its return for 2011 but this time it is a very different car. Based on the best selling mid-sized car in Europe, this new Regal is made in Germany and shipped to our shores. For 2012 production with move to the award winning Oshawa assembly plant in Ontario. Forget what you know about Buick because this new Regal is a wonderful handling vehicle with a connected ride and steering that import buyers are looking for. The turbo version has more power than a similarly equipped Audi and features adjustable driver settings for the suspension and engine tuning. The interior might just be one of the nicest entry-level luxury vehicles for the price. Buick is trying to appeal to younger buyers and this new product will surprise everyone who tries it.

Cons:

The base 2.4L engine isn’t the best choice for highway passing but it will be perfect for city drivers. The 2.0L engine should be considered for driver’s looking for highway performance.