Some of the best deals going are on the cars no one knows about — which stands to reason. But how do you buy something if you're unaware it exists?
How about the Buick TourX wagon?
It's the unknown soldier of the new car market — probably because General Motors hasn't been marketing it much. And that probably has to do with the fact that the car it's based on — the Buick Regal sedan — has been canceled.
But you might want to know more about the TourX ... while you can still buy one.
What It Is
The TourX is a midsize wagon built off the midsize Buick Regal sedan.
It is very similar in general layout, size, capacities and capabilities to the much-better-known Subaru Outback wagon. Both come standard with all-wheel drive, for instance — and both have about 75 cubic feet of total cargo space — about five times as much as a same-sized sedan.
But the Buick comes standard with a powerful turbocharged engine — which is available in the Outback, but you have to pay thousands more to get it.
Prices start at $29,370 for the base trim — topping out at $35,070 for the Essence trim. In the middle is a $32,970 Preferred trim. All the trims having more (or less) optional equipment, but all of them come standard with a 2.0-liter, 250-horsepower turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The otherwise similar Subaru Outback also comes standard with all-wheel drive — but paired with a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine. If you want an engine that's comparable to the Buick's standard engine, it's available — in the $34,895 XT Outback, the $37,745 Limited Outback and the $39,695 Touring Outback.
What's New
The previously optional dual-zone automatic climate control system is now standard equipment in all trims.
What's Good
It has a loaded turbocharged engine — for base-trim Buick TourX money.
It's less common than the Outback.
It's a conventional automatic versus a continuously variable transmission automatic.
What's Not So Good
It has much less ground clearance than the Outback.
It has less legroom in the back than in the Outback.
It will probably depreciate more quickly than the Outback.
Under the Hood
All trims are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 250 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque — as opposed to the Outback's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine — no turbo — that makes 182 horsepower and 176 foot-pounds of torque.
Subaru does offer a slightly stronger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a turbo — and 260 horsepower — but to get it, you have to buy one of the much-more-expensive trims: XT, Limited or Touring.
The Buick also comes standard with a conventional eight-speed automatic, while the Outback comes standard with a continuously variable automatic. The more efficient continuously variable transmission does give the Subaru a slight mileage advantage — 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway for the 2.4-liter turbo, versus 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway for the turbocharged Buick — but it's a small advantage, and people who prefer the feel of a conventional automatic that shifts up and down over the shiftless feel of a continuously variable transmission will probably be happy to make the sacrifice.
On the Road
Both the TourX and the Outback come standard with a full-time, all-wheel-drive system that shifts power front to back, from the wheels that are losing traction to those that have it. The big difference between the two is that the Buick has a lot less clearance than the Outback, which has almost 9 inches, versus the TourX's 5.8 inches.
This means the Buick is less invincible in the snow — and not as able to deal with gravel/dirt roads as the more intrepid Outback.
But the as-it-comes Buick is much quicker.
It can get to 60 mph is just over six seconds. The much less puissant Outback — with its as-it-comes-engine — needs 8.7 seconds to do the same deed.
At the Curb
Like the Outback — almost exactly like the Outback, in fact — the TourX has tremendous room for cargo: 32.7 cubic feet behind its second row and 73.5 cubic feet with the second row folded (the Outback has a functionally identical 32.5 cubic feet behind its second row and 75.7 cubic feet with its second row folded).
Unlike the Outback, you don't see TourXes everywhere.
If you like the idea of driving something not everyone else is, then you might like driving this Buick.
The Rest
GM has canceled the Regal sedan — on which the TourX is based — and the TourX may disappear after this model year, too. But don't sweat it. Buick isn't going away — and the mechanics in both cars are shared with many other GM vehicles, so parts — and service — will not be a problem, even if GM does cancel both cars.
The Bottom Line
GM should have tried harder to not keep this one a secret.
Eric's book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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