Auto News 5

The addition of the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist hybrid didn't come as much of a surprise, given the ease of sharing the engine and "light electrification" system with its LaCrosse stablemate. The more efficient Regal, which is making its debut at the 2011 Chicago auto show, is expected to be rated 26/37 mpg city/highway pending EPA certification.

Poor, poor Saab. The entire time I was behind the wheel of the 9-5, I thought I was in a reskinned Buick. It's just way too long and wide to feel like a real Saab. I really dislike the way the interior feels so much like a typical General Motors interior with a few concessions to the vehicles I'd really consider to be Saabs. Why is the nightpanel button (a signature Saab item) in almost exactly the same place as every push-to-start button on "normal" cars? I know Saab has always done the console ignition, but does that make any sense without a physical key? I spent a week with the car and that still wasn't enough time to train myself to not push the nightpanel button when I wanted ignition.

Germany supplies 40% of the parts in a Buick Regal, and the cars are assembled in Opel's Russelsheim, Germany plant. This Regal was originally intended to be a Saturn Aura, but then Saturn was put out to pasture during the bankruptcy and even GM's control of Opel was uncertain last fall. Thankfully, GM found a way to hang onto Opel after bankruptcy and the complicated restructuring process.