Vintage Comparison Test and Commentary: 1988 Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix – Road & Track Assesses The GM10 Personal Luxury Coupes

In 1988, General Motors released three of its most popular personal luxury coupes: the Buick Regal, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and the Pontiac Grand Prix. All three cars were part of the GM10 platform, and they were designed to compete with the likes of the Ford Thunderbird and the Chrysler LeBaron. Road & Track magazine decided to put the three cars to the test in a comparison test and commentary.

Design and Styling

The three cars had a similar design and styling, but there were some subtle differences. The Buick Regal had a more traditional look, with a long hood and a short rear deck. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a more modern look, with a shorter hood and a longer rear deck. The Pontiac Grand Prix had a more aggressive look, with a wide stance and a low roofline.

Interior

The interior of the three cars was also similar, but there were some differences. The Buick Regal had a more luxurious interior, with leather seats and wood trim. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a more sporty interior, with cloth seats and plastic trim. The Pontiac Grand Prix had a more modern interior, with cloth seats and plastic trim.

Performance

The three cars had similar performance, but there were some differences. The Buick Regal had a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 160 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 170 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. The Pontiac Grand Prix had a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 180 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque.

Handling and Ride

The three cars had similar handling and ride characteristics, but there were some differences. The Buick Regal had a softer ride, with a more compliant suspension. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a firmer ride, with a more responsive suspension. The Pontiac Grand Prix had a sportier ride, with a stiffer suspension.

Features and Technology

The three cars had similar features and technology, but there were some differences. The Buick Regal had a more traditional approach, with power windows, power locks, and cruise control. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a more modern approach, with power windows, power locks, and an electronic climate control system. The Pontiac Grand Prix had a more advanced approach, with power windows, power locks, and an electronic climate control system.

Safety

The three cars had similar safety features, but there were some differences. The Buick Regal had dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and an electronic stability control system. The Pontiac Grand Prix had dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and an electronic stability control system.

Conclusion

The 1988 Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Pontiac Grand Prix were all part of the GM10 platform and were designed to compete with the likes of the Ford Thunderbird and the Chrysler LeBaron. All three cars had similar design and styling, interior, performance, handling and ride, features and technology, and safety features. However, there were some subtle differences between the three cars that made them unique. Ultimately, it was up to the consumer to decide which car was the best fit for their needs.