Buick's TourX AWD crossover caters to sportsmen and active lifestyler's

Buick’s 2018 Regal TourX midsize crossover is for folks who want AWD, some utility, but prefer the attributes of a sedan. It compliments the carmakers’ subcompact Encore, compact Envision and thee row, 7-passenger Enclave line of AWD SUVs. 

Competition wise, it’s aimed at Audi’s Allroad, Volvo’s V60  Cross Country and Subaru Outback, all in similar design and stance. 

TourX is a handsome vehicle with its sculpted side panels,  touches of chrome and sloping roof line that gives it a sporty, coupe-like look. It’s certainly not your grandfathers Buick of yesteryear.

This premium AWD is offered in Preferred and Essence trim models. We tested the latter and it’s loaded with luxury.

After a low 16-inch step into the cockpit, you’re treated to a posh interior that’s adorned with comfy and supportive leather front seats edged with contrasting stitching, faux wood trim and an 8-inch touchscreen. The display serves the audio, rearview camera, Onstar, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, satellite radio plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There was also a panoramic sunroof and wireless smartphone charger to name just two added niceties.

The back seat with easy ingress/egress, can actually seat three with ample leg and headroom. However, the middle patrons’ legs will be straddling the transaxle hump. 

Back in the cargo area, that has a hands-free liftgate, it also has a low 25-inch lift-over. There’s 32.7 cubic feet of cargo space that translates into an area measuring 45 inches deep, 40 wide and 27.75 high. The cargo floor has four adjustable tie-downs that many SUVs don’t have. Flip the 40/20/40 rear seatbacks and capacity increases to 73.5 cubic for an impressive 77.75 inches of cargo depth.

Beneath the cargo floor is a small item storage cubicle as there is no spare tire, merely an inflator kit alongside the audio system controller/amplifier. 

Used in other GM vehicles, TourX sends power to the wheels via a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that puts out 250-hp and a robust 295 lb/ft of torque. Coupled to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the combination gets EPA mileage ratings of 21 city, 29-highway mpg that gets an assist from start/stop engine technology. So powered, TourX has been independently timed at 6.3 seconds for 0-60. 

As for TourXs’ AWD system, it allows the wheel with the most traction to move the 3,708-pound vehicle, even when the other tires are slipping in the snow. Despite this, and with a low 5.8-inch undercarriage clearance, TourX it’s not really suited for any serious off-roading. Gravel roads and wintry weather is more its norm. 

However, many moons ago I shot an antlerless deer for the freezer, and upon preparing to field dress it, discovered I left my antlerless deer license at home. So I drove home to retrieve it only to discover that my car wouldn’t start. Not wanting the tasty venison to spoil, I called my mother who picked me up in her 1980 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and drove me to the farm where my deer lay off a tractor trail in a brushy field. So if that Caddy could traverse the field, the TourX can certainly handle even much tougher terrain. 

With its independent suspension, TourX has a refined, stable and quiet ride on 18-inch Continental tires. The quietness comes compliments of Buick’s Quiet Tuning that includes special glass and insulation that even finds itself in the tires that Buick says uses a foam belt in each one. 

Handling characteristics combine suppleness with stableness. It parks easily and has a relatively tight (40 foot) turning radius. 

With the Essence trim, a long list of features are standard. Items such as heated front seats and steering wheel, noise control system, solar glass, hands free liftgate, satellite radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and more. 

On the options list is the Sights & Sound package ($1,000) that includes navigation, Buick Infotainment System, premium audio system; Driver Confidence Package ($1,725) that adds wireless phone charging, LED headlamps, rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert, rear park assist and many more; Panoramic Moonroof ($1,200); Driver Confidence Package #2 with adaptive cruise, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keep assist/lane departure warning, and front pedestrian braking; White Frost Tricoat ($995) rounds out the extras. Adding these to the base price of $35,870, brought the bottom line to $42,200 with delivery.

For those who don’t want a full-fledged, high-stance SUV, TourX is the ideal compromise in that it drives and handles like a luxury sedan, yet offers utility plus mile offroads and wintry weather AWD traction ability.      
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