I’m sure many of you are old enough to remember that super popular Buick jingle, “wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick.” For many years, the historically storied American brand has been a fave of the Geritol set. Over the last few years, however, Buick has tried reinvention to go after those with a hint of Similac still on their breaths. The image overhaul is evident with the introduction of vehicles that skew toward younger more progressive buyers. The sales of these vehicles have stabilized the company’s profits. Crossovers such as the Envision, Enclave, and Encore have all given Buick street cred. Sleek, capable and refined sedans like the 2018 Buick LaCrosse is one vehicle that will give anyone a thrill for their money. So what are the four things I like about the LaCrosse?
- Lighter, longer, the luxurious full-sizer is a looker. It is sleek, curvy with distinctive sweeping lines and a sloping roofline. The front end of the base LaCrosse sports a prominent grille paired that gives the LaCrosse Avenir (the test vehicle) an edgier look. The rear sports taillights that wrap from the fenders and right onto the trunk. Overall, the vehicle’s current design is hands-down sexy and is sure to garner plenty of looks.
- The LaCrosse’s cabin is upscale and roomy-plus. The cabin’s cockpit design is very contemporary, fluid and cozy with soft-touch surfaces and luxe appointments that are not ostentatious. There is a great mix of leathers, plastics, woods, and metal materials in the LaCrosse that works well together. Seating is excellent, well-proportioned and supportive for most body types, really long-haul-comfy for finicky backs. The vertically challenged set can feel at ease with the legroom offered in the front and rear. Buick’s IntelliLink is a fuss-free infotainment touchscreen system housed in an 8-inch display that provides a logical menu, quick response, and clear graphics. Android Auto and CarPlay are also standard in the LaCrosse. A Bose Centerpoint surround sound eleven-speaker sound system is dynamic, as well as the panoramic moonroof. There is also a heads-up display, OnStar 4G LTE with an available WiFi hotspot (internet connection for up to 7 devices), remote start, wireless smartphone charging, are a few other techie pluses offered in the Buick.
- The car’s ride is refined and efficient. The third-gen LaCrosse is an impeccably quiet cruiser. The test vehicle, the Avenir, comes equipped with an available 3.6-liter V-6 engine that kicks out 310 horses and 268 lb-ft of torque delivering all the power you need. The standard LaCrosse’s eAssist system that is paired with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is the standard powertrain across the lineup. eAssist is GM’s version of a hybrid system that uses a small electric motor and compact lithium-ion battery pack to provide better acceleration, a smoother stop-start system, and a 19 percent increase in city fuel economy. The system comes in at 194 and 187 lb-ft of torque (the LaCrosse eAssist can’t be driven solely on electric power). The sedan offers precise steering with handling that is a little sporty, very responsive, solid, and confident. Braking and cornering also receive honorable mentions. The EPA rates the LaCrosse eAssist hybrid at 25 mpg city, 35 highway, 29 combined. Without all-wheel drive, the EPA rates the V-6 at 21/30/24 mpg and with all-wheel drive, the LaCrosse comes in at 20/29/23 mpg.
- There is a noteworthy array of safety features. The list of active safety systems includes such offerings as Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Automatic Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Rear Vision Camera. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2018 LaCrosse with a 5-star overall safety rating.
The 2018 Buick LaCrosse has everything going for it including the price, $29,570 for a vehicle that looks and performs like a more upscale ride. If you prefer a luxe sedan that’s on the larger side BUT sans sticker shock, the Buick LaCrosse is what you’ve been looking for hands down. Maybe you’d really rather have a Buick?
Need more info? www.Buick.com