Buick is rapidly on the way to becoming a respected luxury manufacturer, not only on its native American soil but in worldwide markets as well.  The brand’s popularity in China has served as a springboard for a new, modern identity that is leading to some of the best products to wear the Buick name in decades.

The next step in this renaissance is the all-new 2010 LaCrosse.  Buick’s entry in the highly competitive mid-size luxury market is new from the ground up for 2010, and it’s a huge leap back to notoriety for Buick.  Combining Chinese and North American design influences with a smattering of European chassis tuning, the new LaCrosse shows that Buick may have just rediscovered what its brand its all about.  

“Bland” just doesn’t cut it these days, and the LaCrosse has been designed with that fact in mind.  The styling is taken directly from the Invicta show car that debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in 2008, and features Buick’s trademark toothy chrome grille and distinctive “sweep-spear” body side sculpting whose influence hasn’t been seen in decades.   The LaCrosse has high sides and a low greenhouse, but careful sculpting prevents it from looking chunky or overweight.  The strongly angled hood is decorated with chrome “portholes” like those sported by classic Buicks.  19-inch wheels are available.  The interior and exterior styling was developed jointly by GM’s U.S. and Chinese design studios, and it’s got a strong brand identity that isn’t derivative of other vehicles.

The interior features a bold two-tone color scheme and a dash design that wraps into the doors.  Chrome and dark wood trim and French stitching impart an air of world-class luxury.  Buick has used its “Quiet Tuning” to reduce interior noise, and at night the LaCrosse is lit by cool blue ambient lighting.  The instrument panel is a futuristic pod that’s reminiscent of the extravagant dashboards of the 1950s, so the LaCrosse has as strong a personality inside as out.  New feature offerings include a navigation system, Bluetooth phone connectivity and rear-seat sun shades.  A DVD entertainment system with screens integrated into the front seatbacks is also available.  The new LaCrosse is available with enough high-tech driving aids to rival Mercedes, including a head-up display in the windshield, dual-zone climate control, a rear view camera for parking, adaptive lighting for the high-intensity discharge headlamps and a Side Blind Zone alert system.

The 2010 LaCrosse is available with a choice of two direct-injection V6 engines.  The CX and CXL models come with a 3.0 liter V6 that’s good for 255 horsepower and 27mpg on the freeway.  The CXL is also available with all-wheel drive.  The sportier LaCrosse CXS gets a larger 3.6 liter V6 with 280 horsepower.   Both engines feature dual overhead cam, four-valve per cylinder construction and variable valve timing, and even the more powerful 3.6 liter V6 has respectable fuel economy.  My tester was equipped with the 3.6 and offered nearly silent operation whether it was at idle or on the freeway.  Six-speed automatic transmissions are used on all LaCrosses.

Handling is somewhat sleepy, but it’s unfair to call this car “unengaging” considering it’s been designed to be something of an isolation chamber.  There’s just enough squash to remind you of the glory days of the 1960s, and just enough responsiveness that you don’t feel like you’re being forced to relive them.  The LaCrosse is at its best when you put it on the freeway, point it at your destination, and wait for the horizon to be reeled in.  Buick’s standard MacPherson front, four-link independent rear suspension underpins a body that’s been tuned for responsive but luxurious handling in spite of the LaCrosse’s two-ton curb weight.  The CX gets a fairly typical four-link rear, while the CXL and CXS have more sophisticated H-arm layouts and available active shock damping.  An active “real-time damping” system is also available for the rear shocks.  Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and the LaCrosse doesn’t have trouble with emergency maneuvers.
A recent influx of new product has helped to ensure that there’s little doubt about Buick’s viability.  The new 2010 LaCrosse goes a long way toward establishing this classic American brand’s comeback.  This car isn’t for everyone, but Buick has always been a brand that chose to appeal to the folks who “got it” rather than trying to be all things to all drivers.  Pricing starts at $27,835 for the LaCrosse CX.  All-wheel drive MSRPs begin at $32,570, and the top of the line CXS comes in at $33,015.  My test car was equipped with Buick’s Touring Package, a navigation system and a panoramic sunroof and stickered for $37,555.

Specifications:  All specs are for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS.
Length:  197.0 in.
Width:  73.1 in.
Height:      58.9 in.
Wheelbase:  111.7 in.
Curb weight:   3948-4065 lb.
Base price:  $33,015
Price as tested: $37,555
Engine:   3.6 liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Drivetrain:  six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower:  280 @ 6400
Torque:  261 @ 5200
Fuel capacity:  18.4 gal.
Est. mileage:   17/27

Print This Post Print This Post