Auto Review: Buick’s finest sedan gets a welcome wardrobe update for 2018
Behind the perfectly trimmed hedges and expertly manicured lawns of many gated neighborhoods, the 2018 Buick Lacrosse resides in the driveways, garages and the hearts of active adults. After all, not everybody wants to drive a car that looks as if it’s leapt out of a gaming video and rides with all of the forgiveness of an oxcart. It doesn’t matter if it’s fastest around the Nurburgring. It has to be fast enough for the daily commute while comfortably ensconcing me in a plush cabin with the latest in high tech. And it has to look good.
So it’s no surprise that when the redesigned 2017 Buick Lacrosse debuted, its sculpted lines flowed with a sporting, dynamic grace. Inside, supple shapes with wood and metallic trim framed the center-mounted infotainment screen. A huge sunroof brightens up the cabin. It’s contemporary, not classic.
This is enhanced for with the 2018 Lacrosse’s new Avenir trim, first introduced on the 2018 Enclave in October. Think of it as Buick’s answer to GMC’s Denali or, in a new version of Buick’s Ultra badge. To distinguish this new trim level, the 2018 Lacrosse Avenir is adorned with a unique crossmesh grille with chrome accents, Avenir-badged doorsills, and exclusive 19-inch or optional 20-inch Midnight Silver wheels distinguish this car’s appearance. Inside, you’ll find Avenir embroidered on the headrests, and a handsome new Chestnut-colored interior.
This new top trim level adorns Buick’s largest sedan, one that competes against the Kia Cadenza, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima and the Chrysler 300. The frontwheel-drive Lacrosse is offered in Base, Preferred, Essence, Premium and Avenir trims. All-wheel drive is available on the top three trim levels. All Avenirs are powered by a double-overhead cam 310-horsepower V-6 and a nine-speed automatic transmission. A mild hybrid system that GM calls, “eAssist” pairs an electric motor and 24-cell lithium-ion battery pack with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and a six-speed automatic transmission that produces 194 horsepower. It’s offered on all trim levels except the Avenir, which comes solely with the V6. While eAssist does boost fuel economy by 4 mpg – no small thing _ it trails the Toyota Avalon Hybrid.
If high-tech driver-assistance features are important, you’ll be relieved to know that rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, forward collision alert, following distance indicator are standard. Adaptive cruise control, forward automatic braking, pedestrian detection and automatic parking assist are optional.
And being a Buick, it’s going to indulge your inner-hedonist with a leather interior, Bose Centerpoint 11-speaker surround sound audio system; Head-Up Display; power panoramic moonroof; power rear sunshade; heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, 4G LTE onboard Wi-Fi, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and _ of course _ an infotainment system with navigation. Available features include an electronically controlled active suspension system with Touring and Sport modes. Other extra goodies include massaging front seats, and wireless phone charging.
Nevertheless, being a Buick it cruises quietly, just as you’d expect. It ably brushes off the effects of America’s deteriorating highways, delivering a comfortable ride. The engine proves to be smooth and powerful, the transmission being the perfect partner. This is one Buick that won’t be travelling too slowly in the left lane. Perhaps most surprisingly of all is this car’s agility; this is no senior shuttle. The LaCrosse Avenir proves responsive for its size, although you might want to drive it with and without the adaptive suspension; the added handling prowess may not be worth the trade-off in ride quality.
With its simple elegant interior, flowing lines and posher trim, the 2018 Lacrosse Avenir to be a lively, athletic premium sedan, one that still pampers you in the finest Buick fashion _ thank goodness.