Reborn Buick is on a roll
Buick’s rebirth as a premium General Motors brand received a big boost with last year’s introduction of the redesigned, next-generation LaCrosse full-size sedan, including new styling, technology and luxury amenities.
This car is aimed at professionals in their 30s who are looking for a bridge between a massmarket sedan such as a Honda Accord and a moreexpensive luxury brand such as BMW or Mercedes.
That has been the goal since the first modern version of the LaCrosse went on sale in 2009, and it has been a great success so far, with about a million LaCrosses sold since the 2009 rollout.
For 2018, now in its second year, this latest iteration of the LaCrosse starts at $35,745 for the base model, and ranges as high as $45,250 for the top-ofthe-line Premium model (before options).
Buick says the redesign last year gave the LaCrosse the “new face of Buick,” including a new, larger signature waterfall grille with the return of the three-colour Buick shield — red, silver and blue — and such features as high-intensity discharge headlights, LED signature lighting and LED taillights.
For 2018, there is a new standard 2.5-litre fourcylinder engine with an eAssist light electrification system as the standard power on the LaCrosse. With a six-speed automatic transmission, it brings GM-estimated fuel-economy ratings of 25 mpg city/35 highway/29 combined.
A new nine-speed automatic transmission comes with the optional 3.6-litre V-6 engine.
The V-6 produces 310 horsepower and 282 footpounds of torque. EPA ratings are 21 mpg city/ 30 highway/24 combined for front-drive V-6 models; all-wheel drive lowers that a bit, to 20 city/29 highway/23 combined.
New exterior colours for 2018 are Satin Steel Metallic, Dark Slate Metallic and Red Quartz Tintcoat.
Not a full-blown hybrid system like that of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid, the eAssist provides a power boost from a small electric motor and onboard battery pack for start-up, and adds torque for passing and uphill freeway ramps. It also helps boost fuel efficiency.
The system includes regenerative braking, which diverts some of the energy normally lost during braking or coasting back to the lithium-ion battery pack through a motor/generator. It also has upper and lower aero shutters to reduce drag for enhanced efficiency.
The Premium comes with the best interior, with the perforated leather upholstery and a new, standard lumbar massage feature (great for an aching back).
Outside and inside, the LaCrosse also is elegant without any hint of overdoing it, and I found the front bucket seats to be among the most comfortable I’ve tested among sedans in this class, and even above.
Buick has added places to store and connect smartphones in the centre console between the driver and front passenger, something the previous model was seriously lacking. You no longer have to put your phones in the cupholders.
Rear passengers had surprisingly roomy accommodations, particularly in the two outboard positions. There was ample knee and legroom, and when there was no third person riding in the back, a pull-down centre armrest was available with dual cupholders.
At the bottom rear of the front centre console are 12- and 120-volt power outlets for the backseat passengers, ready to power laptops and game consoles, as well as smartphones.
All trim levels come with Buick’s QuietTuning, which is designed to reduce or block outside noise and vibration. That helped make our vehicle quiet at highway speeds, except for some occasional noise from rough pavement.
With last year’s remake, the LaCrosse is longer, lower and wider than before, and about 135 kilograms lighter, which GM attributes to the use of high-strength steels.
Fuel efficiency is enhanced by the automatic stop/start system, which shuts off the engine at stoplights and restarts it when the driver lifts the foot off the brake pedal; and the Active Fuel Management system on the V-6, which cuts the engine down to four cylinders during level highway cruising.
As with other recent new GM premium vehicles, the LaCrosse comes with long-lasting DuraLife brake rotors, with four-wheel antilock disc brakes standard. Other new features include enhanced electric power steering, a new five-link rear suspension standard on all levels, and a remote starting system with keyless open and pushbutton start also included across the board.
Wireless charging for compatible smartphones is standard on top-level trims. And the Teen Driver feature, standard on all models, lets parents set controls, review driving habits and encourage safe driving habits of their kids even when the parents are not present in the vehicle. This includes pre-set speed and audio volume controls.
Connectivity for compatible devices is possible through the IntelliLink audio/navigation system, which includes an eight-inch colour touchscreen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and the OnStar 4G LTE internet connection with onboard Wi-Fi hotspot — standard on all models.
Among standard safety features are 10 airbags, including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger; and a standard rear-vision camera system.
The head-up display included on the Premium model projected speed, navigation and audio information on the lower part of the windshield in front of the driver, and was adjustable for height (position) and brightness, using a switch on the left side of the steering wheel on the lower dash.
Trunk space is on par with most cars in this class — 15 cubic feet with the V-6 engine, or 14.3 cubic feet with the eAssist system — that space is used by the battery pack. There is a compact spare tire included in the trunk.
The V-6 Premium front-drive LaCrosse brought us a well-equipped, beautiful luxury sedan with lots of curb appeal, plenty of power, and numerous high-tech safety and connectivity features.