Sunday, March 30, 2025

Buick used to be well-known for its classic sedans, but the brand no longer offers any other vehicle except crossover SUVs. That lineup currently consists of the Envista, Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave. The entry-level Envista and Encore GX models have a starting price under $30,000. The lineup has been redesigned or refreshed for the 2025 model year.

Flashing Back to Buick’s Car Days

Once upon a time, Buick made a pretty sizable collection of cool passenger cars, including models like the Regal and the Grand National. You can still find models like the used Buick Lacrosse for sale through private owners and dealers, but these models are long gone from Buick’s current lineup. The Buick Regal was a series of midsize cars that populated Buick’s lineup from 1973 until 2020 when it was discontinued.

The second-generation Regal was probably the best-known version, as well as iconic types like the Turbo-T and the Grand National. Buick introduced the first Regal Grand National in 1982. It was designed as a tribute to the NASCAR series, which used the Grand National term. The car became famous in pop culture of the time thanks to its iconic design and black paint.

The Grand National remains a popular and iconic GM model, so it’s no wonder that CGI designers are imagining what a new model might look like. In this case, Dimas Ramadhan has taken up the task of designing a reborn 2026 Buick Grand National.

Modern Style With Retro Touches

The CGI-designed car is an interesting mix of old and new with style elements from the Buick Envista. The slim headlights, vertical fog lights, and the low grille all reflect the look of the Envista. However, the profile mixes in some elements from modern muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger. It includes thick fender flares and a sleek, low profile. The wheels stand out with a star-spoke pattern and a black finish.

The hood of the Buick Grand National features two scoops almost like nostrils on a dragon. Compared to modern muscle cars, this one is a bit curvier. In fact, the shape from the front almost looks like a burlier Miata. It’s an imaginative design and easy to see on the road if Buick really did consider bringing it back.

Discontinued Buick Models

Buick has a long list of models it has discontinued in the recent past. With the overwhelming popularity of crossovers in the current market, it’s not too surprising that the brand decided to focus solely on those. The Regal line was ended to make room for the full lineup of crossovers and also due to declining sales for passenger cars. The Regal is still sold in China with a body style that’s unique to the market.

The Buick Cascada was another passenger car discontinued by the brand. It was a convertible car that only got one generation of production before being discontinued in 2019. Compared to other convertible models, the Cascada wasn’t particularly focused on performance. Considering the already low demand for this type of car, the Cascada was likely doomed from the start. However, it did have decent sales during its run.

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