Austin, Texas doesn’t get enough credit. The state capital is an energetic cultural hub that sits in one of the biggest states in the country. It’s not just the city itself that has a rich history of music and film; it’s also the hilly landscape and lush bodies of water that I was able to discover on the First Drive in the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback.

On country roads built for hiking and biking, my partner Xilla and I traded off throughout the day coasting along in the sleek coupe-like design. The versatile vehicle allowed us to pack in everything from a bike to a delightful unicorn floatation device. Switching from a front wheel to all-wheel drive, as we drove from the Hamilton Pool to the Horseshoe Bay Yacht Club; it became clear why Austin has been the location choice for many films over the years. Movies like 1993’s Menace II Society, Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof and 1999’s Office Space are just a few among many that have showcased the splendor and beauty of the city.

Austin itself hasn’t been the only center point in cinema, Buick has also had a significant presence in cinema. The car brand is all about attainable luxury while putting a spin on the traditional Films have recognized the innovative car brand as such. One of the biggest films of 2016, La La Land opened with Ryan Gosling’s character Sebastian in a 1982 Buick Riviera. The car, just like the characters and the film’s songs, became a running theme throughout the film.Buick isn’t just making its presence known in live-action films. An animated Buick Regal from the 1980s appeared in the critically acclaimed 2006 Disney film, Cars. The cars have long since lost their boxy, squared-off appearance and gotten a sleek premium look.

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The First Drive in itself gave us an idea of what type of people or in this case character would find themselves behind the wheel of the 2018 Regal Sportback. A stay at the boutique South Congress Congress Hotel immersed us in the unique Austin culture which mixes classic sophistication with modernism — it’s very much like the Regal Sportback itself. During the drive, we got to tap into our adventurous sides hiking down into the Hamilton Pool Preserve. The short hike gave us a glimpse into why the vehicle might appeal to someone who lives boldly but who also still seeks a “driver’s car.” Our day of adventure ended at the beautiful Juniper restaurant for cocktails and dinner.

Ride with me. I got to push the @BuickUsa Regal Sportback through Austin, Texas to a dope hiking area called Hamilton Pool. The car handled great on the roads and I really got to open it up. I met so many cool people and ate so much good food. Can’t wait for you all to see the full video. Music by @wongtunes

A post shared by Xilla Valentine (@blogxilla) on Dec 16, 2017 at 8:39am PST

Starting at $26.000, it’s clear that the great style and unexpected cargo versatility will soon be making its debut not just in car dealership lots across the nation, but also in garages and on the big screen. Buick has the newest line-up in the car industry, but it’s not just the luxury components that pull people in. As we sped down hills and tilted the wheel during sharp turns, it was obvious that the 2018 Buck Sportback is also focused on the consumer safety. The car boasts and an active safety hood and quiet tuning features we were given in-depth demonstrations on.

The 2018 Regal Sportback is not just a smooth ride, the handsome look of the car makes it enticing for those who might want to purchase their first luxury vehicle. It’s certainly a car that I could see on the big screen in the very near future.

Aramide A Tinubu is a film critic and entertainment writer. As a journalist, her work has been published in EBONY, JET, ESSENCE, Bustle, The Daily Mail, IndieWire and Blavity. She wrote her Master’s thesis on Black Girlhood and Parental Loss in Contemporary Black American Cinema. She’s a cinephile, bookworm, blogger and NYU + Columbia University alum. You can find her reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, read her blog at: www.chocolategirlinthecity.com or tweet her @midnightrami

2018 Regal Sportback

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