The forgotten American luxury sedan that’s cheaper than a Corolla

The used car market is full of strange contradictions, but few are as striking as this: You can buy a well-equipped turbocharged, all-wheel drive American luxury sedan for less than you can a brand new economy car. No basic model. No stripped fleet special. A true performance sedan with absolute comfort and real pace.

That car is the Buick RegalGS – and for reasons that say more about changing buyer tastes than about the car itself, it has almost completely disappeared from the spotlight. While buyers today line up for compact sedans with modest power and rising price tags, the Regal GS stands quietly in the background, offering more space, more performance and more content for less money. It didn’t fail. It was left behind.

How the Buick Regal GS disappeared under the radar

Why American buyers moved on too quickly

The Regal GS arrived at the worst possible time for sedans. American buyers left the segment in favor of crossoversand Buick was redefining its identity. Once known for its soft, floating cruisers, the brand struggled to communicate that it could still build something sharp and engaging. The Regal GS didn’t help itself with conservative styling and low-key marketing.

It wasn’t loud, it wasn’t aggressive and it didn’t chase the headlines. Instead, it tried to combine European-inspired handling with American comfort. This combination appealed to enthusiasts but struggled to penetrate a market obsessed with SUVs and badge prestige. As a result, many buyers have overlooked it. That oversight is exactly why it has become such an attractive purchase today.

The biggest advantage of the Regal GS as a buyer is the depreciation

This is where the Regal becomes something worth considering. If you look around the used car market, you may come across clean examples regularly listed under $20,000, many hovering in the mid to high teens depending on mileage and condition. And if you check Kelly Blue book And JD powerthese figures correspond to the ratings of these highly respected mainstream price guides.

When we compare the new Toyota Corolla with the Regal GS, we switch. Once destination fees and base options are factored in, the Corolla’s current MSRP is comfortably around $20,000. That means buyers can choose between a brand new compact sedan with modest power and front-wheel drive, or a used midsize luxury sedan with V6 performance, all-wheel drive and a much higher level of comfort. For value-oriented buyers, that’s a tough comparison to ignore.

Achievements hidden in plain sight

Lively performance and all-wheel drive

Under the hood, the Regal GS offered a lot more than most people expected. Power came from a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6 that produced 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque, meaning it’s a sprightly and lively performer. It has strong tensile strength and in Car and driver In testing, the 0-60mph time hovered in the mid-five seconds, putting it firmly in entry-level luxury territory.

To put that in perspective: a movement 2025 Toyota Corolla produces less than 170 hp, requires significantly more effort to accelerate and delivers power only to the front wheels. The Regal stands out to me because of its power; Indeed, he stands out for his dashing appearance and operates in a completely different league. More importantly, all-wheel drive was standard on the GS.

That alone set it apart from many rivals, including front-wheel drive sedans like the Honda agreement and even some luxury competitors with rear-wheel drive in base form. Compared to cars like the Audi A4 or BMW330i from the same era, the Regal GS traded outright sharpness for composure, prioritizing grip, stability and all-wheel drive, giving you an extra layer of confidence.

A confident daily driver with comfort in spades

The Regal GS is described as planted and predictable even when pushed. Reviewers often note that the steering feels direct and not jerky, the power is smooth, and the chassis is well balanced between comfort and control. I guess the GS isn’t trying one sporty sedan; it was simply meant to be fast, safe, and aimed at everyday driving with comfort and convenience.

Looks as old as good wine

Clean lines over flashy trends

The Regal GS never used over-the-top styling, and that restraint worked in the long run. The lines are clean, neat and not exaggerated; they are well proportioned in an understated way. I’m a fan of cars that don’t have to shout for attention, but instead offer a more mature, calmer confidence. And in terms of aging well, the GS has come a long way, and in its latest iteration it looks fantastic.

One has sporty styling galore, with wheels, Brembo sports brakes, a more aggressive stance and details that hint at performance without showing it off. And forget about copying German sedans or trends that come and go; the GS doesn’t do that. Instead, it maintains a simple, sexy silhouette that will hold up and age well. In today’s market, where many compact sedans rely on sharp creases and oversized grilles to stand out, the Regal GS feels refreshingly mature.

Interior quality and real-world comfort

Inside, the Regal GS really comes into its own. You can tell Buick is making an effort for comfort, and everything seems functional and usable; there are no gimmicks, which I imagine the purists would appreciate. You can tell that the layout actually prioritizes the driver without feeling cramped. Compared to many modern compact sedans, the Regal GS seems to offer a relaxed atmosphere. You sit lower, the cabin feels wider and everything about the experience suggests it’s designed to cover serious miles without tiring you out.

How it stacks up against rivals

In its day, the Regal GS competed with cars like the Acura TLX and BMW 3 Series. While it didn’t have the same badge cachet, it often equaled (and sometimes surpassed) it in everyday comfort and all-weather usability. The company continues to hold its own against modern rivals on the second-hand market.

Compared to entry-level luxury sedans, it offers comparable space and performance for considerably less money. Compared to regular midsize sedans, it feels more refined and better equipped. Even today, few sedans offer the combination of power, traction, comfort and value of the Regal GS in the same price range.

Where the Regal GS fits into today’s used car market

A convincing alternative to modern compact sedans

The Regal GS makes sense for buyers who want more than basic transportation but don’t want to pay too much for a badge or chase trends. It’s ideal for someone who values ​​comfort, understated performance and practicality over touchscreen gimmicks and aggressive styling. It may not turn heads in a parking lot, but it delivers where it counts: on the road, day after day. And in a market where new car prices continue to rise, this is more important than ever.

The Buick Regal GS didn’t disappear because it had flaws. It disappeared because buyers no longer looked for these types of cars. Today, this shift has made it one of the most overlooked bargains on the used market. It offers more power, more space and more refinement than many new compact sedans – for less money. And for buyers willing to look beyond brand perception, it delivers value that is increasingly rare. Forget? Maybe. But for the right buyer, the Regal GS feels like a smart move hiding in plain sight.

Sources: Buick, JD power, Kelly Blue book