I was recently in the Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan area to test drive the new Buick LaCrosse. The LaCrosse name isn’t new, but this redesign is certainly new and I think it will spark new interest in consumers to visit a General Motors dealership and see what all the fuss is about.
This 2010 LaCrosse is not your father’s or grandfather’s Buick. I remember my grandfather had a big black Buick Roadster with those portholes on the side and loads of chrome. My father bought a slightly newer model a few years later. It was still big, still black and covered in a lot of chrome. Back then, the Buick was the next best thing to luxury because if you couldn’t have a Cadillac. This 2010 Buick is up to date and modern. It looks great and drives great. A rebuild is underway at General Motors and Buick is an integral part of that structure, but it’s not just here in the US China is an important part of Buick’s resurgence. So much so that the LaCrosse was partially designed and marketed with the Chinese. GM PR folks call it a “globally influential product.”
The group of journalists at the press conference were told that the designers of this new LaCrosse were young, most of whom were under 30 years old. Aerodynamics and wind noise were factored into the total design, right down to the rear view mirrors. It doesn’t really look like a four-door sedan, but more like a sports coupe. However, it is a full-size four-door sedan. When I first walked out of the hotel and saw it in the parking area, I thought it had been scaled down and would be called a mid-size coupe. It seemed really small, but once inside I was amazed at the whole space.
In the overall design, a couple of things caught my eye. First there were the traditional portholes. The three portholes were not on the front side of the car, but were moved to the top of the hood. They are not round, but slightly elongated. You barely notice them, but they’re there, not interfering with the flowing lines of movement on either side of the car. The second thing that caught my eye was the dual chrome tailpipes, which were molded into the lower area of the rear bumper. There is actually no noticeable rear bumper. There is a part of the car body that flows down from the trunk, through the rear and almost to the ground. It seems to be just an integral part of the overall body, skillfully blended together. However, hidden behind the bodywork is the required bumper that can withstand the necessary crash test.
The interior is stunning in design and appealing to the eye. In fact, there will be several commercials that will feature the interior of the LaCrosse rather than the look and power of the car itself. Watch for them. The rear seat area is large and not cluttered. A large portion of these Buick LaCrosse cars are expected to be sold in China. We were told that about 40% of Chinese LaCrosse owners will ride in the back seat instead of the front seat. The rear seats have separate heating and air conditioning controls and plenty of legroom. There’s even a power rear sunshade, available as an option. The LaCrosse is really quiet. Engineers went above and beyond the norm to reduce, block or absorb as much interior noise as possible and make the ride distraction-free.
The trunk is very large and can carry a large amount of cargo, as well as four large golf bags. The door handles have a small push button that allows the car to lock and turn off without all the bells, whistles and flashing lights that occur when the key fob is activated. This feature is not unique, but is typically found on high-end premium vehicles. Looking back, though, Buick has historically been a luxury vehicle.
Something really remarkable is that this 2010 LaCrosse offers all-wheel drive as an option. I’m becoming more and more aware of the safety benefits of having four-wheel drive, whether it’s useful on wet grass in a mountainous area, sandy roads in East Texas, or ice and snow up north. This is the first time Buick has offered all-wheel drive in a sedan. There are three engine options for the car, including a new highly efficient four-cylinder Ecotec engine. The standard power plant is a 3.0-liter direct injection V-6 that makes 255 horsepower. The top of the range is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is the combo transmission, with built-in manual shift control for drivers who like a sportier driving experience.
Our test drive route took us in and around the Ann Arbor area, home to the University of Michigan. Outlying areas are a combination of winding roads, some hills, and a mix of rural farmland with pockets of suburban residential development. It gave us the opportunity to put the new LaCrosse through a wide range of driving conditions. It handles extremely well, holds exceptionally well on the road, and is a joy to bike or drive. The ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable. There is not much that can be offered in terms of suggested improvements. This car already has them all.
There are three models of equipment available. The CX, CXL and CXS. The CX has the 4-cylinder engine, cloth seats, and 17-inch wheels. The CXL gets leather seats, dual-zone climate control, puddle lights, 18-inch wheels, and a few other upgrades. The CXS includes the 3.6 engine, heated and ventilated perforated seats and chrome alloy wheels. There are many personal technology options available and a host of security features. This is a contemporary luxury sedan.
Mileage figures are in the range of 28 to 32 mpg. Prices range from around $30k to just over $40k. This is not a low-priced economy vehicle. It is a full size luxury sedan. My grandfather and my father would love it. Back in the early ’50s, they loved their Buick, a big black logging truck, and this 2010 LaCrosse offers the style, performance and personal luxury that has always been a hallmark of the Buick brand. Visit a GM dealer and see if this new LaCrosse can fit your personal lifestyle.