Usually when a car reviewer says that a car company's survival depends on the success of a new model, I don't buy it. Even if the new car fails, the company will manage to scrape by. But the 2010 Buick LaCrosse might warrant such an extreme statement, at least with regard to the make's survival outside China. With this car GM will learn whether or not Buick is beyond saving in the U.S. The Enclave has proved that American car buyers are open to a Buick crossover. But a Buick car, with more baggage to overcome, could pose a greater challenge. The question for a reviewer: does the new Buick LaCrosse deserve to succeed?

Buick LaCrosse Styling

I first encountered the new LaCrosse during the NAIAS press days, and my initial impressions of the exterior styling were mixed. The traditional Buick "sweep spear" seemed forced on the modern proportions. Ideally the front fender would be an inch or so lower. Out in the real world, the new LaCrosse stands out-in a good way-and has a premium and somewhat futuristic appearance. The proportions and dimensions are similar to those of the new Acura TL, but the Buick is far more attractive. And no one will mistake it for a Chevrolet.

At NAIAS, my impression of the LaCrosse's interior was that it was the best from GM yet. The interior styling, dominated by flowing curves, is original and attractive. I was especially impressed by the way real stitching was incorporated into the molded instrument panel, for the appearance of an upholstered IP at a much lower cost. In sunlight the materials aren't quite as convincing, at least not in the tan interior (darker colors often make plastics look better). I drove an HS 250 earlier the same day, and the LaCrosse's interior can't match that of the cheapest Lexus. Still, it is a step up from the Malibu, and better than that of any Ford or Chrysler.

Buick LaCrosse Room and Comfort

The front seats are comfortable, and even provide a modicum of lateral support. The rear seat, a bit low to the floor in the traditional GM manner, offers plenty of room for legs, but not so much for shoulders. It remains to be seen whether GM can offer an Epsilon-based car that feels roomy-competitors are beamier. The trunk suffers from the same weakness. It would be narrow regardless, but fully encapsulating the conventional hinges further constricts it.

The view forward from the driver's seat, dominated by extraordinarily thick A-pillars and a high cowl, could be a turn-off for some people. Visibility in turns is perhaps the worst I've experienced in a car. I found myself leaning forward to check that nothing was in the front quarter blind spot. The transmission can be manually shifted, but the shifter needs to be repositioned farther from the driver for optimal comfort. The view rearward...forgeddaboutit.

I don't usually comment on audio systems, since the high-end systems generally sounds about the same to my untrained ear. But the Harman Kardon system in the LaCrosse struck me as better than most, with less fiddling required to get

Buick LaCrosse Performance

I spent most of my time in the LaCrosse CXL AWD. In case anyone has been wondering how well a 252-horsepower 3.0-liter can motivate 4,200 pounds of sedan...not so well. Especially at low speeds acceleration verges on sluggish. Even in typical driving, with shifts occurring between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm, the engine sounds like it's working more than a luxury car engine ought to. It could be worse: the engine could sound rough as well as overworked.

Given the hefty curb weight, the EPA figures of 16 city, 25 highway should not come as a surprise. But they do. Most competitors do a bit better. The 3.0-liter engine was probably specified to boost fuel economy, but the 3.6 actually earns slightly better ratings.

I briefly drove the top-of-the-line LaCrosse CXS, and that car's 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 feels much more energetic and sounds considerably less strained. On the other hand, wheelspin and torgue steer are too easily provoked with the 3.6. Why isn't all-wheel-drive available with the 3.6?

The new LaCrosse being a Buick, sloppy handling might be expected. In truth, the car feels composed and stable, with an acceptable amount of lean in turns and a minimal amount of understeer. Well-weighted steering helps. With more power, the all-wheel-drive LaCrosse might actually win over an enthusiast or two. It easily out-steers and out-handles a Lexus ES, the car's primary target, or a Lincoln MKS.

The ride isn't quite as creamy as that of a Lexus, with some clomping over bumps-probably Opel's influence. Aside from the engine under acceleration, noise levels are very low. In fact, the engine isn't loud, but the absence of other noise can make it sound louder than it is.

This quietness partly explains why the new LaCrosse weighs so much. But a Lexus ES is also quiet inside, and weighs nearly a quarter-ton less.

Buick LaCrosse Price Comparisons and Pricing

The loaded Buick LaCrosse CXL AWD I drove listed for over $39,000. This struck me as pricey.

But compared to other cars, the price seems quite reasonable. A comparably equipped Acura TL with AWD lists for nearly $5,000 more. A comparably equipped Lincoln MKS AWD lists for about $8,000 more. The new Taurus AWD--a Ford--is similarly priced.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, TrueDelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the LaCrosse:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/LaCrosse.php

Last Words


So, what’s the verdict? The new Buick LaCrosse turns heads and is a viable alternative to the similarly sized Acura TL and Lexus ES, for less money. If Buick weren’t struggling with a load of baggage, this car would succeed. As it is, anyone looking for an excuse not to buy a Buick can still find one in the sluggish 3.0-liter, the EPA figures, or the driving position. The last weakness isn’t fixable without a major redesign. But giving the 3.0 the heave-ho would make the largest difference, and it’s something GM could do, and should do, right away.

A Note on Buick LaCrosse Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've been collecting my own data. Results are posted to TrueDelta.com, with updates every three months. Unlike other sources, TrueDelta clearly identifies what difference it will make if you buy a Buick LaCrosse rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" stats.

To report results, TrueDelta needs reliability data on all cars--not just the Buick LaCrosse--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants pay an access fee.

Details here:

http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

Alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.
Amount Paid (US$): 39,110