2020 Buick Regal Sportback

Breaking away from the rest of the midsize sedan pack, the Regal Sportback shows off a sloped roofline that hides surprisingly impressive cargo capacity beneath the hatch-like trunk lid. Based on the same platform as the European Opel Insignia, the Regal is available in either front- or all-wheel-drive. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in the former guise, and 295 lb-ft in the latter. It also comes mated to either a nine-speed or an eight-speed automatic, respectively. For those looking to jazz up their daily commute without sacrificing practicality, the Buick Regal Sportback is definitely an option. But while it sports a pretty reasonable price tag, it gets only mediocre mileage figures and burns premium gasoline, so it may not be for everyone. A more well-rounded, affordable sedan is the Honda Accord, but it doesn't boast the same spacious cargo capacity and sleek good looks.

While it may try to look a bit more dashing than your run-of-the-mill sedan or hatchback, the Regal Sportback doesn't ask you to pay through the nose. The extra cost will likely come from the premium gasoline it burns. The base-level Regal starts the bidding at $25,370, while the Preferred only increases this to $27,970. Price climbs above the $30k mark on the Essence, with the FWD version asking for $31,770, while the AWD will cost you $33,870. The top-tier Avenir adds $4k over the price of the standard Essence, at $35,770. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Buick's $925 destination charge.

While certainly a commuter vehicle, the Buick Regal Sportback feels more like a car to be driven in rather than to drive. Ride comfort definitely seems to be a priority, with the suspension tuned for better absorption rather than improved handling dynamics. Similarly, the transmission seems a bit reluctant to downshift when pressed to deliver a little extra oomph.

Steering also seems geared towards the urban jungle. It's light and precise, making for easy parking lot maneuvers, but it fails to tighten up quite as much as we'd like at higher speeds. Keeping the steering wheel on-center can become annoying, and the steering never communicates what the wheels are doing. On the plus side, the brakes are strong and easy to modulate, keeping the car stable even during emergency braking.

Ride quality is one of the Sportback's greatest selling points. The suspension easily swallows all but the largest of bumps, but it never feels too floaty. However, this smoother ride comes at the expense of handling, with the body being a little too eager to lean or bounce, so high-speed maneuvers aren't advised.

While it may be visually distinctive from the run-of-the-mill midsize sedans cluttering up the market, the Regal Sportback doesn't actually stand out all that much. Its capable powertrain is undermined by an unrefined turbocharger and uninspiring handling dynamics, while the impressive cargo capacity is similarly weakened by reduced passenger space and very average tech features for the cabin.

It's certainly a comfortable driver, though, bordering on luxury levels at the higher end of the trims, but it will never be as opulent nor as sporty as its name suggests. The lack of advanced safety features on the lower trims is certainly a blow, though, and even the top-tier Avenir requires extra packages to get the high-demand forward collision avoidance tech. The sedan is further hindered by its middling fuel economy and reliance on premium gasoline.

We certainly wouldn't actively dissuade shoppers from looking at the Buick Regal Sportback, but there are more well-rounded sedans out there, like the affordable Honda Accord, or the more luxurious Lexus ES.

Those on a budget will certainly be drawn to the Regal model, with its low $25,370 price tag, but it isn't actually the best value for money. Every trim comes with the same engine, performance figures, and gas mileage - none of which are actually that stellar - so you will need to look at the overall feature package to determine what the best buy is. The power front seats on the upper trims are definitely a must, and the enhanced infotainment suite on the Preferred and Essence make either of these a better choice than the Regal. However, many modern buyers will want the advanced safety features that only come standard on the Avenir. Luckily, the Essence can be outfitted with these at some extra cost, and it comes standard with leather upholstery. Therefore, we think that the penultimate trim is the perfect option for value for money.

The Chevy Malibu can be had in one of two power levels, the standard 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 160 hp and 184 lb-ft, or the 2.0-liter turbo inline-four that develops 250 hp and 260 lb-ft. The latter is certainly closer to the Regal's base engine, but it performs quite a bit better, making the Malibu the more athletic of the two sedans. Both powertrains also beat out the Buick in terms of fuel efficiency, with the thirstier of the two matching the FWD Buick's 22/32/26 mpg. However, the Chevy also relies on premium gasoline, so there isn't much cost-saving here. The Regal Sportback is far superior in terms of practicality, easily trumping the Malibu's 15.7-cubic-feet trunk while still supplying plenty of passenger space. Unfortunately, Chevrolet buyers will fall into the same trap as Buick patrons, as advanced safety features are, once again, locked behind a paywall. The Chevy Malibu may be a bit cheaper than the Regal at $22,090, and a lot more fun to drive, but the more practical choice is the Buick.

A little cheaper than the Regal Sportback, at $24,020, and a lot more unassuming, the Honda Accord is actually one of the most capable midsize sedans on the market. Its 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine may develop a far less impressive 192 hp and 192 lb-ft, but the Accord gets a lot more distance with impressive fuel economy figures of 29/35/31 mpg. Switch to the stronger 2.0-liter option, and you get 252 hp and 273 lb-ft, while still staying ahead of the Regal with its 23/34/27 mpg consumption figures. The Honda may fall behind when it comes to cargo capacity, with only about half as much as the Sportback, but it makes up for it in terms of tech. The Accord comes with far more safety features as standard across its trim levels, earning it great acclaim as a dependable family sedan. Unless you are lugging your camping gear around on a daily basis, the Honda Accord is the better value-for-money buy when it comes to a daily driver.