Jump LinksRegal GS E2XX Key PointsLooking back, it's easy to see why Buick is so well-known among muscle car enthusiasts. For decades, Buick sat at the front of American muscle car culture thanks to models such as the Skylark GS, Wildcat, and the Riviera GS. Buick was also responsible for one of the first high-compression engines offered in the United States, called the Buick Fireball V8. We also can't forget the iconic Buick GNX, one of the most sought-after American cars of all time.These days, Buick doesn't look anything like its past self. Its current lineup solely consists of four SUVs. However, a few years ago, Buick offered what could very well be its last performance model. It was called the Buick Regal GS, and it boasted some impressive specs for an affordable sedan. Additionally, the 2020 Regal GS, carrying the chassis code E2XX, could very well be a future collectible for reasons we'll outline in detail below. Heritage Meets Modern: The 2020 Regal GS Buick Regal GS E2XX Key Points Built to compete with the Germans Utilizes a moderately powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine 2020 marked its final model year Roughly 1,300 E2XX Regal GS models produced between 2018 and 2020 Well-equipped interiors which rival those of German competitors In the mid-2010s, Buick was enjoying an upswing in sales. Their new lineup of SUVs was a hit, although their sedan offerings were beginning to struggle. The Buick Cascada, a two-door convertible, was a failure sales-wise, and was on its way to being axed. The fifth-gen Buick Regal was also becoming tired in its design by 2017, as it hadn't changed much from its 2008 debut.!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2020 Buick Regal GS/cars/buick/regal-gs/2020/So Buick decided to give the Regal a complete overhaul, and the sixth-gen Regal was introduced for the 2018 model year. Not only was the Regal back with a much more attractive and grown-up look, but Buick also released a wagon version of the Regal called the Regal TourX. Along with the Euro-inspired wagon, Buick also decided to bring the GS grade into the sixth-gen, which had been part of the Regal's options list since its original introduction in 1997.Buick One of the most attractive aspects of the sixth-gen Regal GS was, as we touched on before, its grown-up appearance. The fifth-gen Regal GS was a small car, and it wasn't much of a looker either. If you didn't know the ins and outs of Buick's model lineup, you wouldn't be able to tell it was a performance model. The sixth-gen Regal GS fixed this issue rather well, as it was larger, sported some smart cosmetic touches, and was built as a liftback sedan. The 2020 Regal GS Goes Like It Should BuickThe 2020 Buick Regal GS is, by far, the most powerful Regal ever produced. It's even more powerful than the coveted GNX, although it's worth mentioning there's a lot of scrutiny surrounding the GNX's actual horsepower rating, which is rumored to have been well over 300. Regardless, when it comes to official numbers, the E2XX Regal GS takes the proverbial horsepower cake by a wide margin. The crux of the Regal GS' power is its 3.6-liter LGX V6. The motor itself shares quite a lot of its internals with both the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter LGW V6 seen in the now-discontinued Cadillac CT6 and the 3.6-liter LGZ V6, which was used in the Chevrolet Colorado and its twin, the GMC Canyon.On top of its 310-horsepower six-cylinder mill, the Regal GS employs the use of a nine-speed automatic transmission. It also comes standard with a General Motors all-wheel drive system. A unique feature of the Regal GS is its "GS" driving mode. Pressing the center console-mounted button wakes the car up by executing some performance-friendly functions, such as firming up the adaptive suspension, making the steering tighter and more responsive, and quickening throttle response. It also changes the gauge cluster's backlight from ice blue to a deep red color. The nine-speed automatic transmission also held onto gears longer. A Future Classic In The Making Buick We mentioned it before, but the E2XX Regal GS certainly has the markings of a classic in the making - but what exactly makes this a future classic? We have a tendency to think of swanky Ferraris and iconic muscle cars when we think of classics, but in truth, far less significant cars can become classics in their own right. Typically, signs of a future classic include some level of exclusivity, a touch of performance doesn't hurt, and it needs to be interesting on some level. We think this Buick fits the bill, as, for one, while its production numbers haven't been reported to the exact number, we know that only about 1,300 E2XX Regal GS models were produced from 2018 to 2020. They were so few and far between during its production run, many Buick dealers across the US never even received a unit for their inventory.Secondly, with Buick now treading a much safer path in terms of current models, with just a smattering of consumer-friendly SUV models, this could well be the very last Buick of old. For that reason, many may wind up missing the Regal in the future. A smart sedan with a healthy-yet-respectable dose of power. It doesn't hurt that it's a V6 either, treading on a similar path as the great GNX that went before it, and we all know they're worth a fortune in any condition today. We're not saying the Regal GS will be a six-figure car any time soon, but it's surely not unreasonable to expect values to solidify or even improve as surviving examples dwindle over the next decade or so.The E2XX Regal GS is also more than capable of competing directly with its European rivals, mainly the Germans over at BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Below, we'll compare some specs and current prices between our E2XX Regal GS, the Audi A4, and the BMW 3-Series:While all three of these contenders are comparable in pace and price, it's worth thinking twice before pulling the trigger on a used Audi A4 or BMW 330i. After all, if you're a fan of thinking outside the box and enjoy being unique without drawing too much attention to yourself, the Regal GS could very well be the car for you. Let's not forget that, while the Buick is equipped with plenty of luxurious amenities inside, it doesn't attract the sorts of running and maintenance bills that its German rivals so famously do. For example, RepairPal suggests annual repair costs for a Regal to be $563, while an Audi A4 commands $739, and the 330i is even worse, at $748. The Regal GS's Roots Buick Buick fans will know the Regal name carries quite a bit of weight for the brand. Introduced in 1973, the Regal sat on Buick's lineup as the Buick Riviera's replacement, which was phased out for the first time following the 1973 model year. For most of its life, the Regal was considered a personal luxury coupe. That is, until the late 1970s when General Motors began offering a turbocharged version.For the decade following, the Regal quickly became an important car for Buick. In 1982, the Buick Grand National was introduced, which was based on the Regal. Also to follow was the Regal T-Type in 1983. In 1987, Buick dropped the T-Type and replaced it with a "T" model. We also can't forget one of the most iconic Buicks ever made, the GNX, which was based on the Regal, as well. The GS nomenclature was actually first applied to a Regal in 1997 with the introduction of the fourth-gen Buick Regal. Back then, Buick supplied supercharged versions of their famous 3.8-liter "3800" V6 producing 240 horsepower for the Regal GS. Production of the fourth-gen Regal GS lasted until 2004.After a few years' hibernation, Buick resurrected the Regal GS with the introduction of the fifth-gen Regal in 2008. Instead of the supercharged Buick 3800, the Regal GS now used a tuned version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged ECOTEC inline-four engine. It was capable of running from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and featured a 135 horsepower-per-liter power output, which is the highest specific power output of any Buick mass-market production car ever made.
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