2018 Regal Sportback: For the Win

If you’re not driving a Buick, you may think you know the brand … but you have no idea. One the world’s oldest automobile brands and the oldest in America, the nearly century-old luxury car company has weathered its share of ups and downs to come back stronger than ever in more ways than one. I saw the proof up close when Buick — an NCAA sponsor — showcased a fleet of its new car offerings during the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games of March Madness in Atlanta late last month.

I headed to the tournament in the 2018 Regal Sportback, a sleek and smart premium sports sedan perfect for buzzing around in metro Atlanta traffic. The Regal Sportback is sturdy but precisely styled to feel like you’re driving a car that has been custom sized to you. It fit neatly into spaces whether in traffic or parking. The brand promises a perfect balance of form and function, and they deliver. A capable rival of the Audi 5 Sportback and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe, the midsize sedan’s design is tailored to the driver’s experience inside and out. Full power accessories, remote keyless entry, push-button start, and modern technological conveniences like Onstar’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay make it difficult to keep your mind from toggling to the conclusion that you’ll be purchasing a Regal of your own, immediately.

During the March Madness, Buick owners had access to every moment of the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments as drivers were able to stream the game on the go through a free month of Wi-Fi for U.S. owners of Buick vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi. And it didn’t stop there. General Motors launched an NCAA Tournament app that offered live audio feeds of game action while driving Buick vehicles with the Shop icon on their infotainment system. To say that the collaboration was well considered to sell you on what exactly may be missing in your life, if you were driving anything other than a Buick, is an understatement.

When my team Loyola-Chicago beat out Kansas State in the Elite Eight tournament to move on to the Final Four, the walk back to the car was a win-win.

Base price, $25,915.

– Katrice L. Mines