Used 2019 Buick Regal TourX Essence Wagon Review

Today's vehicle of choice for a lot of utility-seeking shoppers is the crossover SUV. Yet here is the 2019 Buick Regal TourX, from the same automaker that made station wagons a staple of American roads in the 1970s.

The TourX isn't quite the behemoth vessel that Detroit factories once stamped out with prolific ease, however. It's much smaller and uses a turbo four-cylinder engine. It's not even American. Instead it's a rebadged sport wagon from Germany.

But that doesn't matter. The Regal TourX's appeal lies in how it deftly straddles the worlds of crossover SUV and sedan. Standard all-wheel drive enables some ability in the dirt, although just-average ground clearance hinders truly useful off-road ability. And like the Regal Sportback sedan on which it's based, the TourX is larger and more stylish, and it's a more compelling entry in the luxury segment than earlier Regals.

The TourX's cargo space matches, and often outclasses, the capacity of many compact luxury SUVs. And compared to those SUVs, it offers a lower roof height and load height. If you're not sold on the tall stance of most crossovers, the 2019 Buick Regal TourX makes a compelling alternative.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Buick Regal Tour X as one of Edmunds' Best Luxury Cars for this year.

The 2019 Buick Regal TourX is a five-passenger wagon with standard all-wheel drive and a slightly raised ride height. There are three trim levels — base, Preferred and Essence — each of which comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment on the TourX base includes 18-inch wheels, LED running lights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a rearview camera, OnStar communications (with a 4G connection and onboard Wi-Fi), a 7-inch touchscreen interface, a USB port, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose audio system.

The Preferred adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable driver's seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also opens the door to a variety of options. The Preferred Driver Confidence 1 package includes LED headlights, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. The Sights and Sounds package adds remote start and upgrades to gauges, the audio system and the infotainment system, which includes an 8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, Bluetooth, two rear charge-only USB ports and satellite radio.

The Essence trim adds a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, a cabin air cleaner/ionizer, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, leather upholstery, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, a heated steering wheel, and most of the content of the Preferred Sights and Sound package. The upgraded audio system can be added through the Essence's own Sights and Sound package.

The Essence Driver Confidence 1 package includes all of those items from the Preferred version plus a driver-side auto-dimming mirror, driver-seat memory functions and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Driver Confidence 2 package adds all of that plus adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning and intervention.

A panoramic sunroof is a stand-alone option on the Preferred and the Essence.