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Future Buick hatchback?

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Why not.
The Insignia is also offered as a hatchback in Europe, so it’s ready to go.
I know, I know… “Americans don’t like hatchbacks”…
But maybe a really good one will change our minds. Even if the last Mazda6 didn’t…
But that was back when people were still crazy about SUVs.

And how about the wagon version?
I guess a Buick wagon might be more “acceptable”…

Conversation 29 comments

  1. Okay.

    I imagine we would see the wagon version before we ever see a hatchback – they've proven to be unpopular, especially in the midsize sedan category.

  2. i'll never understand why cut/shut lines for trunks have moved to the sides of the car, becoming much more visible and awkward. from the pic of the hatch open, it's clear the cutline could have been on the trunk area itself, freeing the sides of the that ugly line from the tail into the C pillar. it adds no more usable opening space, and those downward hanging 'wings' on the side are not needed for anything.

  3. I would absolutely love it if the hatch made it here to the USA. But if it is'nt built like the stupid looking BMW X6 or 5 hatch or stupid looking Subaru Outback sedan or stupid looking Honda Crosstour(hahahahaha…that one still cracks me up) then it probably won't sell here.

  5. If GM sells the wagon version of this car it will be in my driveway. All it needs is the 2.8 litre turbo v6 & a 6 speed manual tranny.

  6. I am all for hatchbacks like the Insignia and the Mazda6 hatch that they don't offer here anymore. I don't think the Mazda3 "hatchback" or any car similar is actually a hatchback, it's more or less a compact wagon. A true hatchback looks like it has a trunk on it, and then you raise it up and the window comes up with it, just saying….

  8. I love them both. That is a beautiful wagon and I can't understand why Americans don't like hatchbacks. The trunk opening on most cars is too small to carry any large boxes, even if they would fit inside. I doubt we would see either one, unless the Caddy CTS wagon proves successful.

  10. Love the wagon. Coming from a guy that has owned two GTI's, I love hatchbacks but I don't see the advantage of this particular hatchback sedan. If the profile of both are nearly identical, and the sedan has fold down rear seats, what's the additional benefit of having the glass raise up with the trunk? A huge opening like this just creates a less rigid structure. Is there a real functional benefit?

  11. I must say that these are the best looking GM cars to be developed in the past few decades. The problem with GM is that the cars design might look great in the first year or two, but it quickly becomes stale or just down right ugly. Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords from the early 90's still look like decent designs today. Compare those Japanese designs with the Lumina's and Grand Prix's of the early 90's! Actually, I never even see anymore of those old GM's on the road… wonder why?

    I'd say that the hatch should have that cool dual opening trunk like like some of the other European makers. That way, the Americans will be fooled into thinking they are driving an ordinary sedan. The wagon would be my pick… it's versatile. This makes more since than an SUV or a MiniBIGvan.

  12. The sedan and hatch have very attractive exteriors. The wagon has that droopy pinched rear look. So close.

  15. Much like the whole "Americans don't like diesels" argument, there's really no modern evidence to support that statement. Yes, Mazda had a 6 hatchback, but that is the only example and it was promoted as a niche model at best. Plus Americans like choice; not everyone wanted to buy a Mazda 6. Just like not everyone wants to buy a VW just to get a diesel. And with Buick rebuilding and the market still recovering, why not try to be a bit different? It would certainly help Buick move away from that old person stigma they still have.

  16. Buick should at the very least bring that wagon here with the Regal sedan. Why? I addition to being a cool and useful offering in a market that needs the room but is shying away from taller offerings, they beat Acura to the punch and make the upcoming TSX wagon look like a me-too offering.

    That being said, I want the hatch badly. Bring the hatch and this is my next car. Don't and it isn't. Above someone commented on hatches not being much better than normal trunks. I disagree. I can stick a 3 foot square box and a bunch of other crap in a hatch. I can't do it in a sedan. Sure I can do it in a wagon also, but the hatch offers a lot more versatility in a sleek, sexy package.

  17. TORRY SAID: "Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords from the early 90's still look like decent designs today. Compare those Japanese designs with the Lumina's and Grand Prix's of the early 90's! Actually, I never even see anymore of those old GM's on the road… wonder why?" HERE'S WHY: You can't afford them. Go the Barrett-Jackson & other auctions. GM, Ford & Chryslers from 10,20, even 50 years ago are selling for ten, fifty, a hundred thousand each. A lot of the old Chevy's and Buicks bring in just as much.
    Some Dodges (Charger-Daytona; Superbird, etc) go for over a million. Like fine art, those old American designs keep appreciating in value. Unlike the old Toyotas & Hondas; which are available in hordes at or below their Kelly Blue Book. The Camrys & Accords were ugly in the past, and they're still generic/boring/ugly even after all these years. Try to find a well-maintained Hemi Cuda or Charger Daytona for under a quarter million–you won't (unless it was in an accident or beat to crap). Cheap old Hondas & Toyotas are a dime a dozen.

  18. Bag the hatch, and bring on the wagon. It looks great, reminds me of the Audi Q7 in profile and rear. Make sure to include the diesel as well. Buick should market this as an alternative to the upcoming Acura TSX wagon. Give us the double 5 spoke wheels as well.

  19. Great design. However, GM has to pay attention to reliability The CTS has turned out to be another clunker.

  21. "Anonymous said…

    TORRY SAID: "Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords from the early 90's still look like decent designs today. Compare those Japanese designs with the Lumina's and Grand Prix's of the early 90's! Actually, I never even see anymore of those old GM's on the road… wonder why?" HERE'S WHY: You can't afford them. Go the Barrett-Jackson & other auctions. GM, Ford & Chryslers from 10,20, even 50 years ago are selling for ten, fifty, a hundred thousand each. A lot of the old Chevy's and Buicks bring in just as much.
    Some Dodges (Charger-Daytona; Superbird, etc) go for over a million. Like fine art, those old American designs keep appreciating in value. Unlike the old Toyotas & Hondas; which are available in hordes at or below their Kelly Blue Book. The Camrys & Accords were ugly in the past, and they're still generic/boring/ugly even after all these years. Try to find a well-maintained Hemi Cuda or Charger Daytona for under a quarter million–you won't (unless it was in an accident or beat to crap). Cheap old Hondas & Toyotas are a dime a dozen.

    November 14, 2009 10:15 AM"

    You really are an idiot.

    You are comparing a MASS PRODUCED vehicle that is used for general transportation to a vehicle where maybe 10 were built in that exact combination 40 years ago.

    It is a COLLECTORS car for that reason. That is why it sold for $100,000. I can find many well maintained Cudas or Chargers for FAR less than $40,000.

    You don't think there are (or will be) any collector Honda's or Toyota's????

    Stop watching so much TV and actually do some research before you type next time.

  22. 10:15: I seriously doubt that any Lumina or Grand Prix from the early 90's is selling for 10, 50, or 100 grand each. The ones that are still on the road aren't even worth $1000. These aren't musclecars like the Charger-Daytona and Superbird you mentioned. These are average FWD family cars with lots of plastic cladding and "Eurosport" special editions, whatever that was supposed to mean. Of course I do see more of those old Luminas and Grand Prix on the road around here than Accords and Camrys of the same period.

  23. once a gain gm u is on top and will show the japs and euro guys that america comes up w ith thte best stuff

  24. douchbag jones said…

    once a gain gm u is on top and will show the japs and euro guys that america comes up w ith thte best stuff

    November 15, 2009 5:39 PM

    But they are built in europe douchbag.

  26. Q: You don't think there are (or will be) any collector Honda's or Toyota's????
    A: There simply aren't!

    (IF anybody cares; both Honda & Toyota made cars in the '70's. Not even the Supras & Acura NSX are at all desireabe. They all lack the style & charasma of a 'Cuda, Barracuda, Charger, Charger 500, Charger Daytona, Rivera, Eldorodo, Vette, '63-'78 Grand Prix — or even the desirability of a '55-'56-'57 Chevy –or ANYTHING built by Chrysler in '57-59 & again '65-68; etc, etc!)

    Honda & Toyota never have and never will have anything as sought after as, say a '61-'67 Lincoln Continental 4dr Convertable.

  27. "Honda & Toyota never have and never will have anything as sought after as, say a '61-'67 Lincoln Continental 4dr Convertable."

    I think you're posting under the wrong topic. This is about a Buick.

  28. I think you're posting under the wrong topic. This is about a Buick.

    November 19, 2009 5:21 AM

    I stand corrected.

    What I meant was: "Acura & Lexus never have and never will have anything as sought after as, say a '65 or ',73 Riveria. Or even as distinct as a Skylark; ANY Skylark. –Better?

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