“It's an ok car. Had to get a new transmission within a few months but luckily it was covered by warranty so I didn't have to pay as much out of pocket. But after that car has been running fine.”
2016 Buick Regal: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2016 Buick Regal is its standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. This is a light update rather than a redesign, with a new Sport Touring trim and some lineup reshuffling.
About the 2016 Buick Regal
5th-generation Regal sedan (2011-2017), late-cycle year before the all-new 2018 redesign; 2016 adds a new Sport Touring trim and infotainment update rather than a full refresh.
Buick positioned the Regal as a premium midsize sedan with a quiet cabin, upscale materials, and more driver-focused road manners than a typical mainstream family sedan. Its selling points were European-flavored steering and chassis tuning, standard heated leather-appointed seating, strong available turbo power, and optional AWD. In the market, it sat between mainstream midsize sedans and entry-luxury cars, aiming to give buyers near-luxury comfort and tech without the sharper price or harsher ride of some sport sedans.
The 2016 Regal ranges from the comfort-focused 1SV with a 2.4-liter engine and heated leather-appointed seats to several stronger turbo models. Sport Touring pairs the turbo engine with a rear spoiler and a sharper look, while GS adds meaningful handling upgrades, larger brakes, sport seats, Bose audio, and navigation. Premium II emphasizes comfort and cabin technology instead, with features such as a heated steering wheel, Bose audio, navigation, and rear parking sensors.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The non-turbo 2.4-liter 1SV serves as the main entry model. The eAssist mild-hybrid setup largely leaves the retail lineup and remains mainly in fleet-focused Premium I versions.
Styling
The new Sport Touring trim adds a sportier appearance, including a rear spoiler and dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets, without the GS model's more extensive handling hardware.
Tech
The standard infotainment system moves to an 8-inch touchscreen and adds Apple CarPlay. Navigation changes from optional to standard on the base turbo Regal and Premium I.
2016 Buick Regal specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, eAssist, 2.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Shift Control / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | 19–21 mpg | 21–25 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 30–31 mpg | 30–36 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 259 hp | 182 hp | 182–259 hp | 182–259 hp | 259 hp | 259 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 172 lb-ft | 172–295 lb-ft | 172–295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | ||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| HID Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2016 Buick Regal?
The biggest change is a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. It gives every 2016 Regal more modern phone integration than the previous year's system.
Is the 2016 Buick Regal a redesigned model?
No, the 2016 Regal is not a redesign. It is a light late-cycle update within the 2011-2017 generation, focused on infotainment and trim changes rather than a new body or platform.
What is different about the 2016 Buick Regal Sport Touring?
Sport Touring is a new appearance-focused trim for 2016. It combines the 2.0-liter turbo engine with a rear spoiler and dual exhaust outlets, but it does not have the GS model's upgraded suspension and larger brakes.
Is the 2016 Buick Regal worth considering over the 2015 model?
The 2016 model is the more useful pick if Apple CarPlay or the Sport Touring trim matters to you. Otherwise, the changes are modest because the Regal was not redesigned for 2016.
Which 2016 Buick Regal has the non-turbo engine?
The 2016 Regal 1SV has the non-turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The base turbo model, Sport Touring, Premium I, Premium II, and GS use the stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine in the configurations described here.
2016 Buick Regal Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Buick Regal.
4.2
2016 Buick Regal
(348 reviews)
“I like the space in the interior. The lights on the outside crack and water fills in it. At one point my cylinder in the engine failed, mechanic said the car brand gets it often.”
“I have only driven about 5,000 miles so far but my experience with Buick Regal has been excellent. The car has lots of power, has a smooth, comfortable drive, and the voice commands actually work. So far there have been no mechanical issues or any problems with the infotainment system.”