Buick Introduces Regal, Verano 1SV Base Models For Entry-Level Luxury Market
In the market for a new Buick Regal or Verano? The brand introduced a new pair of base models aimed at the entry-level luxury market for consideration.
The Buick Regal 1SV and Verano 1SV begin at $27,990 and $21,990 respectively, knocking off $2,295 and $2,315 from the prices of the next models in line (Regal Turbo and Verano) in so doing, CarsDirect reports. The prices are meant to help the two sedans compete in the entry-level luxury market against the likes of the Mercedes CLA, Acura ILX, Audi A3 and BMW 320.
What does one get for saving a couple of thousand? For the Regal, a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-pot from the now-defunct fleet version of the sedan, which lacks stop-start and pumps out 182 horses to the front. Meanwhile, the Verano makes do with only an AM/FM radio instead of one with satellite radio included.
Whether or not the Regal and Verano 1SV models will help the brand fight alongside the Encore subcompact crossover against the downstream current of falling sales remains to be seen. Low-end models such as these usually are excluded from incentives General Motors offers for other models, a decision not likely to help the brand in the long run should this latest move fizzle.
Further, dealers may not be too thrilled to have more than a handful of Verano 1SVs on the lot at a time, while $28,000 may be too much to pay for a Regal with leather and 4G yet little power under the hood. Of course, one could wait a year until the first 1SVs hit the used lot for 32 percent off the original sticker, but only if power isn’t an issue on the used lot, as well.
[Source: Buick]
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Things must not be going well for Buick when they start trying to steal sales from Chevrolet with a decontented Buick. Why didn't they just call it the Buick Special and be done with it. Maybe it's time to start the Buick deathwatch.
I don't get it. These cars already get deeply discounted to move them anyway. A few months ago, the Buick dealer around the corner selling Regals for $12000-15000 below sticker to move them. Why does it need a budget version? So they can sell them for $16k? Buick clearly needs something. Cheaper cars is not the answer. Better cars, better advertisement. Say, a Regal with a V6.And better seats. The Regal seats suck. A Verano with the 2 liter Turbo. And you know...a ATS based Grand National.
The Verano also loses fog lamps and the oversized 18" wheels and instead has more suitable 17" alloys. One of the biggest complaints I hear about these types of cars today is how lousy the tires are in bad weather followed by how noisy they get after wearing in and the cost of replacement. A car as small as the Verano does not need huge tires on the basic model so this is a good move. Switching to the inferior 2.4 on the Regal when Chevy has the superior more efficient 2.5 is not!
Why does Buick not have a version of the Caprice/SS to sell. Everyone that wants a BIG Buick does not want a crossover. Buick was known for big comfortable sedans, update that concept to something that is premium like the Enclave is premium without trying to out Euro the Europeans. Make it proudly American like the 300 and BAM! The rear wheel drive part of this segment is owned by Chrysler and Dodge. This would also justify building the Caprice platform in the USA?