2010 Buick LaCrosse

2010 Buick LaCrosse

The rebirth of an ALL-NEW Buick is here. When I think of Buick these days, I can’t help thinking of Tiger Woods, but now Buick is one of the four remaining General Motors brands – it has to stand out in the crowd to get your attention as a buyer.

I’d read a lot about the Buick LaCrosse, but nothing gave it the justice it deserved.  Once you lay your eyes on this new Lacrosse – I know you will be impressed and definitely consider it a finalist if you’re seeking a mid-sided sedan.  It looks and feels luxury without the high-end luxury price.

Just looking at the exterior, you’d notice the fresh, classy facelift.  I really like how attention to detail makes Buick stand out in the crowd.  The vents on the hoods, edgy headlights, and the profile of the car itself really lend itself to what Buick has evolved into for it next generation.

The inside is so encompassing, the attention to detail down to real stitching in the door panels and dash were quite a surprise.  I got the opportunity to ride with one of the engineers and he really gave me a grand tour of all the little details.

He pointed out the ambient soft blue lights that not only were behind the speedometer and gauges, but also followed along the dash and door panels and even around the center console.  This may sound minor, but the two-tone interior was so refined that you would think you were in a high-end German sedan.  Especially LaCrosse pleasing was the new dash pod area that finally was no longer the boring square GM dash.

The center stack includes a navigation system that allows you to personalize what you wanted on the screen integrated with the very cool HUD (heads up display) which is adjustable and even shows the radio station, song, weather or what ever makes you happy. LaCrosse has some really nice pluses for this level of car.  The seats were quite supportive and I loved the heated or cooled seats and the heated steering wheel that would work great in Buffalo winters.  There were only a few negatives; two-cup holders in front, one power outlet (although there was a USB connection) but the biggest negative for me is the short rear window.  Although it limits rear-view vision, there is a back-up camera and parking sensors.

The ride and performance was better than expected, Buick has created a car that is a comfortable ride with the quietest interior you can imagine, or a ground pounding Harmon-Kardon sound system that any audiophile would love.  Buick has come alive again to make a statement with the new Lacrosse.  They will be available in FWD and AWD.  The 2010 LaCrosse is offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:

Buick needed a game changer and the Lacrosse is it – I suggest you take the new Buick LaCrosse for a ride.  You will see why they have a winner!

The 2010 LaCrosse is offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:

• CX – equipped at the start of production with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255 horsepower and 217 lb.-ft. of torque and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Later this year, a new, 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder replaces the 3.0L as the standard engine.

• CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An advanced, intelligent AWD system is available, which includes electronic stability control system to deliver sure-footed traction in almost all driving conditions.

$30,395 for CXL FWD

$32,570 for CXL AWD

• CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension (optional); perforated, leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic trans mission and generates 280 horsepower and 259 lb.-ft. of torque.

$33,765

Key competitors: Acura TL, Toyota Avalon, Lincoln MKZ, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Camry, Lexus ES350