2018 Buick Model Changes

Edited 7/28/2017.

Cascada

Navigation is now standard on base models. Malbec (dark red) and Sweet Mocha (tan) fabric top colors are now offered along with three new paint shades.

Enclave

The Enclave is the final GM three-row crossover to be all-new. For 2018, the Enclave took the Chevrolet Traverse's path of larger, roomier, higher towing capacity, but lower weight and much improved fuel mileage.

The new version of the 3.6 V6 engine gains 22 horsepower for 310. It gains start/stop technology to improve city mileage. The transmission gains three gears, up to nine.

The sleeker, more modern body is about two-and-a-half inches longer than the 2017, but weight is down over 300 pounds. A new top-level trim: Avenir, is named for a popular Buick concept car. It will become the top-level trim across the Buick line, eventually.

Among other new safety systems, the Enclave has a standard rear seat reminder system. If the rear door is opened and closed before the driver starts the Enclave, when the Enclave is turned off, a chime sounds and the dashboard displays a message reminding the driver to check the rear seat. This is GM's effort to reduce the dozens of child deaths every year when a child is forgotten in a locked car.

Adding to front collision warning, Low-Speed Forward Automatic braking is standard on the Premium and Avenir. Avenir offers adaptive cruise control with all-speed forward automatic braking.

Encore

Premium models get a new ionizing air cleaning system. Essence and Premium models now have a universal garage door opener remote.

The Encore now has a capless fuel filler.

Envision

No changes.

LaCrosse

A new mild hybrid powertrain is similar to but newer than the one in the old LaCrosse. With a 2.5-liter direct fuel injected 4-cylinder and a large motor generator, it can recapture energy during braking and coasting and give a little boost to acceleration without burning extra gas.

The V6 engine gains a gear, now equipped with a nine-speed automatic.

Premium models get a new ionizing air cleaning system.

Regal Sportback

The Regal has now been reincarnated as a hatchback. If dumping the sedan body wasn't enough trend-bucking, the Regal GS will dump its turbocharged engine for a V6 with 310 horsepower. Non-GS models sport a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Optional all-wheel-drive models have 295 pound-feet of torque.

A nine-speed automatic puts the new power to the ground in front-wheel-drive models; eight-speeds are included with all-wheel-drive, except the GS, which also gets nine.

The new Regal is larger but lighter. With its hatchback trunk, cargo capacity goes way up: 31.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up; 60.7 with the rear seats folded.

Regal TourX

If hipster Regal Sportback isn't enough to get non-conformists into a Buick, maybe super-hipster Station Wagon Regal, the TourX. (For some reason, nobody can stand the "S" word.)

Offered only in all-wheel-drive, the TourX offers 73.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, more than many sport utilities and crossovers, includsing the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-5, and even Buick's own Envision.

Verano

Dead.