Regal On Facebook: I'm Not Chinese And I'm Not The Crosstour

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The US-spec Buick Regal is receiving a better-than-Crosstour reception at Facebook, where official photos are showing some slight visual differences from the Chinese-market model. Against all the odds, the US-spec Buick appears to have dropped the Chinese version’s aftermarket-worthy fender vent. A more-subtle grille is another unexpected but welcome maturation. Or is that regression? This Buick’s as clean as the Insignia, somehow doing without the acres of chrome and tacked-on baubles that too often signify “American luxury.” Predictably, the most common comment on the new Facebook page is “needs ventiports.” Chinese-market Regal, for comparison, after the jump.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Power6 Power6 on Oct 19, 2009
    The silver picture is a US production-spec Regal released by GM. I don't know much about the Facebook stuff, but it appears that picture was posted by a another user, it is part of the commenter pictures, not the official pictures posted by the Regal Facebook. Not that it isn't a production version, but it might not be. It certainly isn't an offical looking photo, looks like it was snapped while someone was getting into the car, you can see the motion blur and the drivers door is open.
  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Oct 19, 2009

    George A - exactly. I like the Chinese version better and everything you said. psarhjinian - and exactly what you said. ANOTHER product that gets it right and then potentially quickly killed off. WHAT THE **** is GM thinking??? ONCE AGAIN GM CAN get it right in other countries but seems determined to **** it up repeatedly here. Are they TRYING to hand the American car market to some other company??? Sell me the Insignia with a manual 6-spd tranny and the German suspension and undiluted personality and I'll buy BUT don't orphan it in a year or two like the have repeatedly done with the Opels and Holdens. It doesn't make me want a GM North American bland-mobile instead - it just proves that GM is capable of some good stuff but WON'T sell it here for a price that a working man can afford. Of course I've known that since I lived in Europe 15 years ago. Good stuff to be had from GM but we can't have it. Sure they have the Impala and Malibu but to put it like my 9 year old might: YUCK! I don't want anymore of this! More 80% right styling. If they bring the right Opels here unaltered I don't care whether they badge them as Saturns or Pontiacs or Buicks or Oldsmobiles. Just don't F-them up and make them into floaty sponges for wafting down the suburban streets to your next doctor's appointment. We have a couple Buicks in the family. GOOD cars but so BORING. Get them here and I'll just do what the Sprinter guys do - buy the Mercedes badges and make the van into what it really is. Same with the Opels. Is this even a relevant conversation though since GM sold off Opel? Anyone? How can GM be SO STUPID to repeatedly F-up their product lines??? I am SO FRUSTRATED with them!!!! Sell Opels here already!!!! And don't quit in 24 months because you claim they aren't selling. Never mind that you have not promoted it like you have other Gm products. ADHD indeed... FYI - I'm not buying any products built in China out of principle. I might as well buy an American built Honda again (one of several Hondas I have been very happy with). It's about keeping the maximum number of American workers employed if I'm buying a domestic ya know? And so I gotta ask - are the ventiports generally stick on? Can I just pry them off? Not a fan of them...

  • Brandon I would vote for my 23 Escape ST-Line with the 2.0L turbo and a normal 8 speed transmission instead of CVT. 250 HP, I average 28 MPG and get much higher on trips and get a nice 13" sync4 touchscreen. It leaves these 2 in my dust literally
  • JLGOLDEN When this and Hornet were revealed, I expected BOTH to quickly become best-sellers for their brands. They look great, and seem like interesting and fun alternatives in a crowded market. Alas, ambitious pricing is a bridge too far...
  • Zerofoo Modifications are funny things. I like the smoked side marker look - however having seen too many cars with butchered wire harnesses, I don't buy cars with ANY modifications. Pro-tip - put the car back to stock before you try and sell it.
  • JLGOLDEN I disagree with the author's comment on the current Murano's "annoying CVT". Murano's CVT does not fake shifts like some CVTs attempt, therefore does not cause shift shock or driveline harshness while fumbling between set ratios. Murano's CVT feels genuinely smooth and lets the (great-sounding V6) engine sing and zing along pleasantly.
  • JLGOLDEN Our family bought a 2012 Murano AWD new, and enjoyed it for 280K before we sold it last month. CVT began slipping at 230K but it was worth fixing a clean, well-cared for car. As soon as we sold the 2012, I grabbed a new 2024 Murano before the body style and powertrain changes for 2025, and (as rumored) goes to 4-cyl turbo. Sure, the current Murano feels old-school, with interior switchgear and finishes akin to a 2010 Infiniti. That's not a bad thing! Feels solid, V6 sounds awesome, and the whole platform has been around long enough that future parts & service wont be an issue.
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