Buick Regal History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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The Regal launched for 1973 as an upscale version of Buick's mid-size Century. The rear-wheel-drive G-body Regal of the 1980s became the basis for Buick's turbocharged performance cars — the Grand National, T-Type, and 1987 GNX — before the line moved to front-wheel drive for 1988.
After the North American Regal was retired in 2004 (replaced by the LaCrosse), the nameplate returned for 2011 as a rebadged Opel Insignia: a sporty, European-flavored mid-size sedan, later offered as the Regal Sportback hatchback and the Regal TourX station wagon.
The final generation (2018–2020) carried a turbocharged 2.0-liter four, with a V6 GS performance trim on the Sportback. The Regal was discontinued after 2020, the last passenger car in the lineup as Buick became an SUV-only brand in North America.
Generations
Second generation · G-body (rear-drive)
The rear-wheel-drive G-body Regal — basis of the turbocharged Grand National, T-Type, and 1987 GNX.
1981 Photo: “1981 Buick Regal (1).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Fifth generation · Opel Insignia-based
The Regal's return as a rebadged Opel Insignia — a sporty front/all-wheel-drive mid-size sedan.
Sixth generation · Sportback / TourX
The final Regal — a Sportback hatchback and TourX wagon; discontinued after 2020 as Buick went SUV-only.
Body styles
- Coupe
- Sedan
- Hatchback (Sportback)
- Wagon (TourX)
Notable special editions & performance variants
Regal GS
The performance Regal; the final 2018–2020 Sportback GS used a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 with all-wheel drive.
Related models
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