The last time a Buick model was not a utility vehicle was in 2020. That was the final model year for the Buick Regal, a midsize sedan. Since then, Buick has relied exclusively on utility vehicles for its North American customers. For traditional car fans, the absence of a sedan has been a disappointment. But that absence may soon end if murmurings of a Buick sedan returning come to fruition.
An All-New Buick Sedan
Buick still makes sedans, but not for the North American market. In China, where GM’s premium marque has a long history of sales and influence, several car models still exist. That is due to somewhat different tastes in a country that still values sedans along with other body styles, including crossover SUVs.
After the recently concluded New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), news sources including Automotive News noted that GM was once again considering a sedan for Buick. This is not the first time that such talk has surfaced. Indeed, we have heard rumors of the same for almost as long as the last time a Buick sedan was offered. Again, that was in 2020 when the Buick Regal was dropped.
This time, there seems to be some teeth to the mutterings, based largely on GM’s Alpha 2 platform. That rear-wheel-drive platform underpins two Cadillac sedans: the compact CT4 and the midsize CT5. A previous version of the platform also undergirded the Chevrolet Camaro, a two-door coupe/convertible last offered in 2024.
Moving Away From EVs
With GM making big changes to its electric vehicle strategy – it is cutting back on programs and models offered – the company is taking a fresh look at the market and what consumers want. Truly, crossover utility vehicles dominate production along with pickup truck models and traditional SUVs. Besides the two Cadillac sedans, GM offers the Chevrolet Corvette, with all three models accounting for just a small fraction of the company’s sales.
But the sedan market is not dead. Indeed, if we look at sales of some of the remaining players, including the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic, we may have reached the segment’s bottom. Further, there is expanding interest in sedan models as evidenced by the purchase habits of today’s buyers, especially younger consumers. Buick has long been the domain of elderly consumers, but its current lineup has attracted young buyers in greater numbers.
What might a Buick sedan look like? This is where things become intriguing. Supposedly, GM is looking at a Buick version of the Cadillac CT5, a medium to large model that combines luxury with sportiness. Buick might receive a version of the model with premium or near-luxury features and not quite the level of sportiness found in the Cadillac.
Beyond that, what the sedan looks like and what powers it is speculation. But the intriguing part is the Buick model would be rear-wheel drive, which was once a hallmark of the brand.
Under the Hood
We could see the Buick sedan powered by perhaps a pair of powertrains, beginning with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Most likely, it would be paired with an 8- to 10-speed automatic transmission. It might also offer all-wheel drive as an option.
The second powertrain choice most likely would include electrification. Here, a conventional hybrid seems possible, perhaps mated to that same turbocharged engine. In doing so, Buick would combine efficiency with performance, a trend we are seeing grow across the industry.
Lastly, if GM commits to bringing back a Buick sedan, we might see the automaker making another move. This one would resurrect the Chevrolet Camaro, to the cheer of its fans, as well as to the betterment of the company’s bottom line as it spreads development costs over yet another Alpha 2-based model.
See Also — Buick LaCrosse: Chronicling the Changes
Images copyright GM Corp.
