INTRO- The 2011 Buick Regal is a five-passenger premium midsized sedan that comes to America by way of Germany. The athletic breeding pays off with a car that's surprisingly sporty. The Regal's just-right size and European-bred chassis tuning opens up a new niche for Buick to fill with a car that's got wide appeal to enthusiasts and comfort-seekers alike. FEATURES: The Regal is cleanly styled and looks every bit the part of its German premium sedan heritage. The Regal's wheelbase is long for its size, pushing the wheels further to the corners of the vehicle, which improves handling and interior room. The Regal rides on handsome 18-inch alloy wheels, and we drove a CXL model with tasteful chrome detailing, fog lamps and reversing sensors to aid parking. The premium story continues inside, where standard heated leather seats offer luxurious support, and dual-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable. Optional on the CXL we drove are Navigation, controlled by a unique and intuitive selector on the center console, a powerful Harmon/Kardon audio system and a power moonroof. PERFORMANCE: The Regal uses a 2.4-liter four cylinder as its standard powerplant. The engine's 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder increases performance to 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Both engines send power to the front wheels, and the turbo can be ordered with an optional six-speed manual transmission that's sure to please driving enthusiasts. FUEL ECONOMY: Here are the highest and lowest EPA estimates for fuel economy: SAFETY: The 2011 Buick Regal comes equipped with standard StabiliTrak stability control, Anti-lock brakes, Front and side airbags, as well as optional rear-seat thorax airbags. The full suite of OnStar features enhances safety and aids drivers as well. PRICING/WARRANTY: Base MSRP for the 2011 Buick Regal CXL is $26,245. A CXL Turbo starts at $28,745. All Regals are backed by a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. CLOSING: Buick has found its footing again as a maker of premium sedans that can go toe-to-toe with the established luxury and performance players without any compromises, and the Regal is good evidence of that.