Launched back in 2017 and sold under many names including Vauxhall Insignia and Holden Commodore, the Buick Regal TourX was the estate version of the Regal and GM's underdog product that aimed to revive the station wagon trend by offering a luxurious and practical wagon that did it all without breaking the bang. It had the right amount of power, performance, and space, but unfortunately for GM, it never gained much popularity in the U.S. And, with poor sales, it was not feasible for GM to keep importing Regals from Germany where they are manufactured. As a result, the automaker had to pull the plug on the Regal lineup in 2020. Here are 10 things to know about the Buick Regal TourX:

First Wagon After The Roadmaster

Buick's rich history is full of coupes and sedans that date back to the glory days of Detroit. Buick and GM, back in the 80s and 90s, were churning out all types of cars including station wagons. But by the end of the 90s, things were changing and families and soccer moms alike were drawn to the new and super practical minivan. As a result, the last Buick station wagon was the wood-paneled Roadmaster Estate which was discontinued in 1996 and it took Buick the better part of two decades to bring a station wagon back into its line-up.

Plentiful Performance

The Buick Regal TourX was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Inline-four that produced 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine setup was lifted from other popular GM products like the Chevy Malibu along with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The Regal TourX never claimed to be a quick car in the first place, but having more power than its competitors helps make a strong case for it. Although denounced as a wagon that wasn't performance-oriented, the 3,708-pound estate could do 0-60 mph in just 6.4 seconds, courtesy of the four-pot turbo engine and the active AWD system.

Built by Opel

General Motors over the years has owned and parted ways with several car brands including Opel. GM owned and operated the German automaker, Opel, for nearly 90 years when it purchased a majority stake in the company in 1931. The Regal models, including the TourX, were co-developed with Opel, and after GM sold the Opel subsidiary to the French PSA group in 2017, GM continued to pay Opel to manufacture the Buick Regal lineup in its factory for the States until it was discontinued due to unimpressive sales in 2020. Though the lineup has officially ended production for the States, Opel continues to manufacture Buick models for the Chinese market.

Car-like Dynamics

The Buick Regal range shares its underpinnings with other popular sedans from GM like the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia. So, even though the TourX is a spacious and luxurious wagon, it was designed around a popular and capable sedan platform which lends it great driving dynamics. With 5.8 inches of ground clearance, the TourX is just enough to pass off as utilitarian without compromising its stability or dynamics, especially at high speeds, something that can't be said for other rough and tumble AWD wagons, a case in point is the Subaru Outback which has 8.7 inches of ground clearance but its nowhere close to delivering the level of refinement and body control that's offered with the Tour-X.

Elegant Styling

The biggest advantage of an estate body style is its aesthetic appeal over bulky crossovers and SUVs. Granted some people still prefer the SUV aesthetic, but there's just something about a well-styled estate that gives it elegance, and it's safe to say that the Regal Tour X is as stunning as they come. The rear three-quarters are perhaps this wagon's best angle and from here, it is the clear winner in terms of design compared to the sport back version of the Regal. The single strip of chrome that runs the entire window line and culminates in the tail lamps, gives it a unique touch. The rest of the design is minimal and elegant thanks to the use of slim lights and sleek styling elements that also add a whole lot of visual bulk to a car that's already huge for some added grandeur.

Biggest in its Class

The biggest reason for buying a wagon is for the added practicality it brings to the table and the Regal TourX is as roomy and practical as they come. The TourX measures in at 196 inches which is not only longer than most of its direct rivals like the Subaru Outback and A4 Allroad, it's longer than cars from a segment above like the E-Class wagon and Volvo V60. As a result, there's plenty of space for five occupants, and with 73.5 cubic feet of boot space, there's enough room to take all their luggage on a weekend getaway.

Standard-fit AWD

The Buick Regal TourX received AWD as standard to justify the rugged plastic cladding that Buick put in place to give it a sense of go-anywhere appeal. That aside, the TourX was equipped with GM's intelligent AWD system that made use of an active twin-clutch system that allows it to channel engines torque not only front to back but also side-to-side which in turn improves vehicle control and efficiency even in the stickiest of conditions.

Pleasant Cabin

Modern-day Buick's claim to fame was an affordable luxury, which is perhaps the reason why it continues to be one of the best-selling premium car makers in China. The Regal TourX has a cabin that feels premium because it gets all the basics right, starting with its nice and supportive seats and the use of light colors, and a large glass area that gives it a sense of space. The insulation too is a tier above what's expected from regular cars and next to no road or engine noise is transmitted inside, which results in a comfortable ride.

Towing Capabilities

Despite its car-like design, ride, and comfort, the Regal TourX can perform towing duties. With a factory-rated towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, the TourX can easily tow small caravans, boats, etc courtesy of the brilliant torque vectoring AWD system and the 295 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes the Regal TourX a truly versatile and utilitarian wagon.

Priced as an Affordable Luxury

Buick's claim to fame is the brand's ability to find a niche in each segment and create products to cater specifically to that gap in the market and Buick did a fine job. The Regal TourX is an excellent example of Buicks strategy as it claims to offer a whole lot of cars and a whole lot of luxury for a reasonable price tag in a segment that most automakers have long given up on. Granted the equipment level or switchgear is not on par with contemporary luxury rivals like the A4 Allroad or Volvo V60, but it gets the basics right, and more importantly, with its starting price of just over $30,000, it's a much bigger car that costs a whole lot less.

2020 Buick Regal Tour-X Specifications:

FAQ

Q: Is the Buick Regal TourX discontinued?

Yes, 2020 was the final year of production for the Buick Regal TourX after which it was discontinued.

Q: Does Buick make a station wagon now?

No, Buick's current portfolio is mostly comprised of SUVs and crossovers but no station wagon.

Q: Why was the Buick Regal discontinued?

The Buick Regal was discontinued after GM's partnership with Opel ended.

Q: Is the Buick Regal a good car?

Yes, the Buick Regal is an excellent car, that's available in wagon and sedan body styles.