Regal Living

It comes down to this: Are you more worried about your image or your wallet? From the driver's seat, it doesn't matter.

If the maker doesn't call a car a hybrid, and it doesn't look like one, and it doesn't drive like one, is it really a hybrid? That's the gray area in which the Buick Regal eAssist finds itself. It uses a nonintrusive “light electrification” system to improve fuel economy, and, well, that's about it. Gray area? Yes, but the results are black-and-white.

Forget the marketing; the figures are real: The Regal with eAssist gets better gas mileage than the standard version, 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, compared with 19/31 mpg for the non-eAssist car.

This resonated with Buick brass so much that they killed the entry-level four-cylinder engine, and eAssist will be the new base powerplant for the 2013 model year. The fuel-economy figures are respect-able though not eye-popping. But they're enough that you'll feel less pain at the pump, and you probably could argue that the extra cost is justified.

It's a subtle, smart move for consumers, because the driving experience is satisfying. That's the only caveat for green-seeking buyers. The Regal with eAssist looks and drives so much like a standard car that no one is likely to know that you're piloting what could be called a hybrid.

It comes down to this: Are you more worried about your image or your wallet? From the driver's seat, it doesn't matter.

We sampled a well-equip-ped model in Michigan, and the Regal was comfortable and practical. The eAssist system has a 15-hp lithium-ion battery pack that uses stored energy to add electrical boost during acceleration. There's also a stop/start system, and an electric generator replaces the alternator. The electric power works with the six-speed transmission, allowing for a higher gearing.

All of this is only vaguely noticeable when shooting around town. The 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, rated at 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, is the foundation of the car's propulsion. Enthusiasts will want to partake of the full scope of the rev band, as a well-calibrated foot is needed to make the most of this rig in passing and from launch. It's relaxed on the highway, cruising at about 75 mph at 2,000 rpm. At 4,500 rpm to 6,000 rpm, it's more than enough to navigate through traffic.

The stop/start function is nonintrusive. The engine is rather quiet, and the system engages at stoplights after you brake. Restarting is nonjarring, the exact opposite of what some consumers fear or don't understand about the technology. There's an eco gauge on the instrument panel, and the touch screen displays the various green functions of the powertrain.

The eAssist system aside, the Regal is based on a well-executed chassis that is eager, composed and controlled in corners and at high speeds. Steering is light on-center, but there is some feedback with more input. The brakes are good, returning satisfying bite with a little pedal travel. The car looks and feels like a taut European sedan. Say what you want about Opel's finances, but its engineering prowess has been money for Buick.

The Regal with eAssist isn't about attracting curbside stares. It offers better fuel economy and a pleasant drive. It's very logical. Are you?