2017 Buick Regal Car Seat Safety: Comprehensive Family-Friendly Review

Luxury Meets Practicality: The 2017 Buick Regal for Families

The 2017 Buick Regal continues to offer sophisticated styling with sporty handling, making it an attractive option for smaller families seeking a premium mid-size sedan. While carrying over most features from the 2016 model, our updated car seat evaluation reveals important considerations for parents.

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Detailed Car Seat Assessment

Our certified child passenger safety technicians conducted thorough testing using industry-standard equipment to evaluate the 2017 Regal's family-friendliness.

Test Methodology

We installed three types of child restraints in the second row:

• Infant seat: Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 (rear-facing)
• Convertible seat: Britax Marathon (forward and rear-facing configurations)
• Booster seat: Graco TurboBooster (high-back mode)

Front seats were positioned for a 6-foot driver and average-height passenger (5'8") to simulate real-world conditions.

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Rear-Facing Infant Seat Compatibility

The most significant challenge emerged with rear-facing infant seat installation. Unlike the 2015 model that earned top marks, the 2017 Regal required compromise:

• Front passenger seat needed forward adjustment
• Legroom reduced for passengers over 5'8"
• Knee clearance became tight against the dashboard
• This 2-inch difference in tester height changed our assessment from an "A" to a "C" rating, highlighting how body dimensions affect real-world usability.

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Forward-Facing Seats and Booster Performance

The Regal performed better with forward-facing configurations:

• Convertible seats installed securely with both LATCH and seat belt methods
• Ample headroom and shoulder space for growing children
• Easy access to top tether anchors behind the seatback
• Booster seat fit well with proper seat belt routing

Three Car Seat Configuration Test

Attempting to install three across the second row presented challenges:

• Center position lacks dedicated LATCH anchors
• Seat belt installation required for middle position
• Booster seat occupant could reach buckles with difficulty
• Shoulder room became cramped for older children

We recommend the 2017 Regal primarily for families with two children in safety seats.

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LATCH System Evaluation

The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system showed improvements:

• Clearly marked anchor points in outboard positions
• Reasonable 65-pound weight limit (child + seat combined)
• Easy-to-access top tether anchors on seatbacks
• Deep seat cushions occasionally obscured lower anchors

Safety Considerations for Parents

Important factors to consider when using the 2017 Regal with child seats:

• Always check vehicle and car seat manuals for specific guidance
• Remember that seat belt installations are equally valid when LATCH weight limits are exceeded
• Consider your family's height when evaluating rear-facing seat compatibility
• Test install your specific car seats before purchase
• 

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Comparison to Competitors

How the Regal stacks up against similar luxury sedans:

• Lexus ES: Slightly better rear legroom but similar infant seat challenges
• Acura TLX: More accommodating for rear-facing seats
• Lincoln MKZ: Comparable space with easier LATCH access

Final Recommendations

The 2017 Buick Regal works best for:

• Families with one or two children in forward-facing seats
• Parents under 5'8" using rear-facing infant seats
• Those prioritizing luxury features with adequate safety provisions

Families expecting to frequently transport three children or needing extended rear-facing use should consider crossovers with more rear seat space.

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Additional Safety Features

The 2017 Regal includes several family-friendly safety technologies:

• Standard rearview camera
• Available forward collision warning
• Optional blind spot monitoring
• Ten standard airbags