I was recently in the Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan area to test drive the new Buick LaCrosse. The LaCrosse name is not new, but this redesign is certainly new and I think it will spark a 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 lots 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 luxury because if you couldn’t have a Cadillac. This 2010 Buick is up to date and modern. It looks great and drives great. There’s a rebuild going on at General Motors and Buick is an integral part of that fabric, but not just here in the US. China is a big part of Buick’s resurgence. So much so that the LaCrosse was partially designed and marketed with the Chinese. GM’s PR people call it a “product of global influence.”
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 of age. Aerodynamics and wind noise were included in the overall design, right down to the rearview mirrors. It doesn’t really look like a four-door sedan, more like a sports coupe. However, it is a large four-door sedan. When I first walked out of the hotel and saw it in the parking lot, I thought it had been scaled down and would be called a midsize coupe. It seemed really small, but once inside, I was amazed at all the space.
In the overall design, a couple of things stood out to me. First there were the traditional portholes. The three portholes were not on the front side of the car, but were instead 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’s actually no discernible rear bumper. There’s a body part of the car 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 mixed. Hidden behind the bodywork, however, is the requisite bumper that can withstand the requisite crash test.
The interior is stunning in design and appealing to the eye. In fact, there will be several commercials featuring the LaCrosse’s interior rather than the look and power of the car itself. Be on the lookout for them. The rear seat area is large and not crowded. A large part of these Buick LaCrosse cars are expected to be sold in China. We’re told 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 to reduce, block or absorb as much interior noise as possible to 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 be locked and turned off without all the bells, whistles, and flashing lights that occur when the fob is activated. This feature is not unique, but is typically found on higher-end premium vehicles. Looking back, however, Buick has historically been a luxury vehicle.
Something really notable is that this 2010 LaCrosse offers all-wheel drive as an option. I’m increasingly realizing the safety advantages of having four-wheel drive, whether it’s useful on wet grass in a hilly 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-injected V-6 that makes 255 horsepower. The top-end is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is the combination 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. The outlying areas are a mix of winding roads, some rolling 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 the road exceptionally, and is a joy to bike or drive. The ride is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. There isn’t much that can be offered in the way of suggested improvements. This car already has them all.
There are three trim models 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, perforated heated and ventilated 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 28 to 32 mpg range. Prices range from around $30K to just over $40K. This is not a cheap, low-priced vehicle. It is a full size luxury sedan. My grandfather and father would love it. In the early 1950s, they liked their big black Buick wooden 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.
