The 2018 Regal TourX, Buick’s first wagon model in
over 20 years, could account for 50% of all Regal sales in the US, a
considerable increase compared to previous projections of 30%. This would be
quite the achievement, seen as how the U.S. car market isn’t exactly dominated
by station wagons – it’s hard to break through with family-oriented models that
aren’t crossovers or saloons.
For 2018, the Regal shifted from a sedan to
sportback and wagon models in an attempt to stand out in what is both a highly
competitive, yet also declining mid-size car segment. In 2017, Regal sales fell
by as much as 42% to just 11,559 vehicles as the entire segment shrunk 16%.
The automaker actually expects the Regal TourX to
draw in some buyers from rival brands such as Subaru, Audi or Volvo, as well as
owners of discontinued wagons such as people who drive/drove Saabs.
The Regal TourX is priced from US$ 29,995 in the U.S.,
a starting price that’s roughly US$ 4,000 larger than that of the Sportback model.
