Midsize Luxury: Buick Ready to Launch Regal Avenir

As you might have heard, Buick’s Avenir luxury sub-brand is off to a good start. Playing the same tune written by GMC’s Denali line, “Avenir” debuted on the second-generation Enclave crossover for 2018, then bestowed its luxurious trappings on the LaCrosse sedan.

According to Automotive News, Enclave sales are up 15 percent over the first half of 2018, with the Avenir trim counting for 25 percent of all units sold. That’s money in Buick’s pocket, as the Avenir badge adds roughly $14k to the model’s base MSRP. Average Enclave transaction prices are up $5,000 from a year prior.

Buick boss Duncan Aldred said last winter that the case for Avenir would be made on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis, adding that we should expect to see more models add the new trim (and price point) in the future. It now looks like the redesigned Regal will be the third Avenir model.

According to General Motors’ fleet order guide, 2019 brings the Avenir badge to the Regal Sportback, but not the Regal TourX wagon.

Slotted below the top-flight GS model and the high-end Essence, Regal Avenirs dispense with the optional all-wheel drive that’s available on Preferred and Essence models (and standard on the GS). The same engine powering all but the GS — a turbocharged 2.0-liter making 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft — appears in the Regal Avenir, though the transmission gains an extra cog, to nine speeds. A nine-speed automatic is standard kit on the GS.

While the suspension stays the same as other front-drive Regals, content is obviously different. Regal Avenirs gain 19-inch wheels with Pearl Nickel finish (an upgrade from lesser models’ 17- and 18-inch hoops), shod with the same 245/40R19 rubber as the GS. Self-levelling headlamps and cornering lamps also come standard. And, as luxury demands to be felt, beneath the Avenir driver’s ass lies perforated leather buckets.

Buick’s most feature-filled version of the Driver Confidence Package I arrives on all Regal Avenirs, with the “II” version available for extra coin. That brings things like four-way lumbar adjustment and heated external mirrors on board, as well as Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. Upgrading the package adds adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist, forward emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking.

In the driver’s field of view lies a 8-inch infotainment screen delivering standard navigation and access to the model’s Bose eight-speaker audio system.

While external brightwork wasn’t mentioned, we have to imagine there’s an extra helping of chrome on this trim, as well as the Avenir script adorning both front doors. If other Avenirs are any indication, expect fancy grille mesh as well.

It isn’t known how how much a Regal Avenir will cost, but expect it to lie somewhere — at least midway — between the $34,795 Essence (2018 pricing) and the GS’s $39,995 sticker. We’ll likely see the model debut later this summer.

[Images: General Motors]