The Regal isn’t just an iconic model for Buick, it’s recognized universally across different continents. The Buick Regal has been around since the early 1970s, and it started life as a luxury car. It was offered in both sedan and coupe configurations till around 1997, Buick switched to a sedan body style after that because the sales numbers dwindled.
The company continued selling the Regal until 2004. It then went on to be temporarily replaced by the Buick LaCrosse. However, Buick decided to bring it back to North America in 2011. Only this time around it was purely a mid-size sedan. Despite being 11 years, the fifth-generation 2011 Buick Regal still commands a decent value in the used market. Read this buyer’s guide to ensure you know what to look out for and avoid overpaying for the 2011 Buick Regal.
Taking a Look At The 2011 Buick Regal
While the original was an all-American luxury barge, the 2011 Buick Regal is significantly different. With the new Regal, the company wanted to redefine the image the original model had created. The 2011 model was aimed to be a competitive and modern mid-size car. To do this, General Motors based the car on the Opel Insignia, which was a relatively successful model in Europe.
As a result, the 2011 Buick Regal inherited almost all of Opel’s traits. When compared to the Insignia, the Regal weighs around 13 lb more. This is because it has heavier structural support in the B-pillar that allowed it to meet the stricter crash tests.
Trim Levels and Features
The 2011 Buick Regal was available in two trim levels – the CXL and CXL Turbo. GM didn’t want the Regal to fall in the entry-level mid-size segment which meant the car came well-equipped. Leather seats, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and heated side-view mirrors were just some of the features you’d find as standard. Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, and cruise control were features that were also available at no additional cost.
If you opted for the more expensive 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo, it gets 12-way power-adjustable seats and rear parking sensors in addition to all of the features mentioned above. That said, these features can be added to the standard CXL as optional extras. Speaking of options, the CXL Turbo can be equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, and driving modes. A sunroof was an optional extra for both.
As far as safety equipment is concerned, both trim levels of the 2011 Buick Regal get traction control, stability control, ABS, side airbags in the seat, and the curtain area. Rear-seat thorax airbags, meanwhile, were available as an option. Brake assist though was only available on the CXL turbo as standard.
Engine and Power Figures
The standard CXL trim level of the 2011 Buick Regal came equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-4 GM Ecotec that sports direct fuel injection. The DOHC engine produced a claimed 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. This engine came paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The more-expensive CXL Turbo came equipped with a turbocharged engine. The engine it uses is a 2.0-liter, DOHC, direct-injected, turbocharged inline-4 LDK engine that puts out 220 hp and 258 lb-ft. This was a noticeable increase when compared to the non-turbo model. That’s not all, this engine option could also be equipped with either an automatic or manual transmission. While that may not sound like a huge deal, it certainly was for the company as this was the first Buick to get a stick shift option since the Skyhawk in 1989.
Buick Regal – Update
The fifth-generation Buick Regal received one major update before it was replaced by the sixth-generation model in 2017.
2014 Buick Regal
In 2014, the Buick Regal received quite a substantial update. This update comprises changes to the interior and the exterior. General Motors also improved safety by adding a forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Adaptive cruise control was also available as an option.
Buick also worked on the performance of the car and the output of the turbo version was revised to 258 hp and 295 lb-ft. This trim level could also be optioned with an all-wheel-drive configuration. However, opting for the all-wheel-drive setup meant that you could only pair it with the automatic transmission. The six-speed manual wasn’t an option.
2011 Buick Regal – What Made It Special
The 2011 Buick Regal was quite the departure from the company and that particular model was known for. It was meant to be a mid-size sedan with sporty characteristics, and it managed it to an extent. Some reviewers even claimed that the car was capable of taking on much more popular cars like the Audi A4 and Acura TSX.
Despite not being true to the history of Buicks, it was believed that the car’s qualities were enough to get the buyers. These qualities included a good blend of performance, fuel economy, and comfort. The car also had a fairly comfortable interior for the time. This is also exactly what made the 2011 Buick Regal a serious competitor in the mid-size sedan space.
What Are Common Problems With a 2011 Buick Regal?
The 2011 Buick Regal has a few common problems. Some of which are easy to fix, while some aren’t.
Stuck Key
One of the most widely reported problems of the 2011 Buick Regal is the key getting stuck in the ignition. The cause of this problem isn’t a fault with the key or the ignition. Instead, this occurs because of the automatic transmission shifter failing. This problem can also be caused by one of the wires of the transmission shifter assembly breaking.
Sensor Trouble
As with many General Motors vehicles of this period, electronic components like sensors aren’t the most reliable. The 2011 Buick Regal has a mass airflow sensor and a crankshaft position sensor, and when either of these fails or starts acting up the engine will begin to stall intermittently.
Bad Switch
The power window switches on the 2011 Buick Regal are known to fail and affect the power windows themselves. This problem is quite straightforward and not exactly uncommon on vehicles from other companies as well. Fixing this problem is easy as it only involves replacing the failed window switch.
Pulley Wear
A problem that’s more serious concerns the idler pulley on the serpentine belt. This pulley can wear out and affect the serpentine belt if it isn’t fixed on time. Fixing this pulley involves replacing it, but it comes along with other components that make up the tensioner assembly. It’s best to replace everything it includes as the other parts could also be worn out.
Display Issue
The digital display that shows data regarding the AC is likely to go dim or blank over time. The only way to fix this problem is by replacing the AC control panel. Keep in mind, that this will involve taking apart the dashboard to a certain extent.
Erratic Shifts
One of the worst problems on this list has to do with the transmission pressure control solenoid. This solenoid could fail and has been known to do so resulting in erratic shifting in 2011 Buick Regals with the automatic transmission. If that isn’t enough, the solenoid is located inside the transmission which means replacing it involves partially disassembling it. Expect this to cost quite a bit in labor.
Fluid Leak
Another problem that’s quite common among General Motors vehicles from this period is a power steering fluid leak. The fluid is fed to the power steering rack through a high-pressure power steering hose. This hose is known to fail and leak fluid. The steering on the 2011 Buick Regal can stiffen up if enough fluid makes its way out. Not only that, but if you lave the pump to work with little to no fluid, it could fail. A torn hose needs to be replaced before it ends up damaging the entire power steering assembly.
Is Buick Regal a Reliable Car?
What one has to realize is that the Buick Regal is essentially a slightly reworked Opel Insignia – a car based on GM’s Epsilon II platform built to take on some big names in the mid-size sedan space.
That level of quality and the research and development that has gone into it contributes greatly to the car’s reliability. While the Buick Regal will comfortably cover 150,000 miles, there are numerous reports of both engines beginning to consume small amounts of oil at that stage. That certainly isn’t a big problem and the car is quite reliable overall.
What to Look For When Shopping For One?
Back in 2011, the Buick Regal would set you back by $26,360 (CXL) and $28,860 (CXL Turbo). These were entry-level prices which meant they didn’t include any packages or optional extras.
Despite being over 10 years old, the car has held its own in the used car market. Prices range from $8000 to $15000 and one would be safe paying somewhere between that. Check the service history and check if most of the aforementioned common problems have been resolved at some point in time.
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