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2010 Buick Lacrosse - Review

Nelson Ireson

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Nelson is a Senior Editor at High Gear Media focusing on reviewing cars and covering the hottest topics in luxury and performance cars, car culture... More

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29 20,002 views July 16, 2009

Buick is the first to acknowledge it lost touch with the pulse of its audience in the 1980s and 1990s, and over the last decade it has seen its average buyer age rise to somewhere in the mid-70s. But that's all set to change with the new Enclave already out and the brand-new 2010 LaCrosse coming this summer.

We got the chance to take the new LaCrosse for a spin at a GM press event in Detroit this week, and we can tell you in all seriousness: this is a really, really good car. It's not a hot-dog performer or an all-out technological luxury onslaught, but it does combine mid-size powertrains and pricing with large-sedan size and comfort, all with a healthy dose of style and luxury.

The exterior of the new LaCrosse has been plastered across the web since its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, and it's a fine new face to help Buick target a younger, more vibrant audience, but the interior is the real story.

Fans of Lexus, Acura and Infiniti often point to the shoddy interiors of American mid-luxury sedans as a major turnoff, but those fans won't have a word to say about the LaCrosse. In fact, most will find themselves envious of the solid construction, (mostly) whisper-quiet ride and superior switchgear found in the LaCrosse.

Unlike Lexus, which shows strong Camry roots in much of its center-stack material and layout, the LaCrosse presents a coherent image without letting the design down with flimsy buttons or cheap material. Aside from the Acura TL's oddball exterior, its interior is generally well-regarded, if a bit busy, and the LaCrosse is at least on par, while it outpaces the Infiniti G and M just as it does the Lexus ES and GS.

The comparison to the larger Lexus and Infiniti cars is apt - the LaCrosse provides ample room for long-legged six-foot-plus adults to sit in all four positions at once, with no skimping on headroom even with the sloping roofline and a panoramic sunroof. Shoulder, hip and bolster room in the front bucket seats is equally well-suited to larger adults.

The center stack layout and switchgear is solid, easy-to-use and attractive

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 buick lacrosse first drive 016

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Comments (29)

brum08 Posted: 7/16/2009 10:30am PDT

The interior bugs me that it looks like a cadillac. I thought they were trying to get rid of redundant brands. Don't get me wrong it looks nice but just enough to say you've almost got a cadillac.

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vjqc11 Posted: 7/16/2009 11:01am PDT

So what! Is it really a bad thing. I mean think of it from a normal consumer's point of view. Do you really think they would get in this car and see all the high quality material,features and say "o im not buying this vehicle because the interior looks to much like a Cadillac CTS. The major hurdle I think Buick has to over come just like Hyundai and Kia is it's NAME. They have to do a lot of marketing and positioning to get rid of the old myths and stigmatisms that are tide to there name(old peoples car,slow,soggy performance etc) once they do that Buick I think will be a genuine competitor.

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Nelson Posted: 7/16/2009 11:21am PDT

Also, in person, the interior really looks almost nothing like the CTS. The depth of the dashboard and the instrument panel cluster are pretty unique. The photos don't show that off very well, but it's a hard thing to capture.

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solo84 Posted: 7/16/2009 11:33am PDT

that is VERY impressive. i'll have to stop by a Buick store and take a look in person.

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TrelinDTR Posted: 7/16/2009 11:48am PDT

I see a LOT of an Acura RL in the rear of this car...far too much chrome...Buick believes luxury = chrome everywhere...
Otherwise the styling isn't bad...

I really hate to hate on a company that's trying so hard to clear the stigma from their name, and target a younger crowd...I'm 23, and I know Buick isn't shooting for my age, but I know that my parents (59/60) still consider Buick a car for Seniors...and I feel terrible for Buick because at my age, they will always remain a company that builds cars for Seniors...as long as I'm in the financial bracket to be able to really chose what type of car I want to drive, I doubt I'll be visiting a Buick dealer, let alone sit in a Buick if it's not taking me away to or from an airport, or if I'm driving with someone above the age of 75...

The Enclave to me is a waste because you get more stuff for cheaper in an Acadia...You don't even get LED taillights on the Enclave and it's priced well-above the Acadia, which they're standard...

I'm sorry Buick...I know you're popular in China, but you're going to have a tough tough tough time ever getting someone in my age bracket to commit to any of your cars...In the US, Buick should've been shuttered and Pontiac should've survived...

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54chevyman Posted: 7/16/2009 12:18pm PDT

The young crown who has a degree and some disposable cash will flock to Buick when all is said and done. Buy American sentiment is at an all time high! As expected GM is on the move!!!!!!!!!

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54chevyman Posted: 7/16/2009 12:19pm PDT

young crowd!

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TrelinDTR Posted: 7/16/2009 2:16pm PDT

a degree and disposable cash ultimately means people are going to flock to Buick...? How is GM on the move if only a month and a half ago they went bankrupt? I understand this whole GM-renovation is slowing making waves, but they're still offering vehicles that are sub-par compared to foreign brands and still duplicating unnecessary vehicles to clog the streets (Equinox/Terrain) only to remain on the lots of dealerships hoping to be passed over GM's next slaughter...

I do care for the American brands, but none of them are really offering anything special that have caught my attention...

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NoNameDenton Posted: 7/16/2009 2:29pm PDT

Be awhile before Buick loses its old person stigma

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Nelson Posted: 7/16/2009 2:40pm PDT

Be awhile before Buick loses its old person stigma

It absolutely will be. And Buick - specifically Sharon Docherty - acknowledges that. They have a hard road ahead to change minds about the brand.

But with Buick positioned as one of the four remaining GM brands, they have to change that image, or they're dooming themselves to further failure.

And even if they do get some people to see the 'new Buick', what of the brand's reputation? There's a difference in what others think when you tell them 'I drive a Lexus' versus 'I drive a Buick'.

Personally - I'm 30, btw - I like the LaCrosse a lot, and only wish they'd make a higher-output (note: not necessarily stiffer or sharper, just more powerful) offering. Like throwing a turbo on the 3.6L unit and turning out 400+ hp. But that's another topic altogether.

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Mike Posted: 7/16/2009 4:25pm PDT

It's sad but Buick alone is responsible for its geriatric image due to cars like the Park Avenue, etc. of the '90s. However, Buick made some real screamers in the past; cars like the GNX and GSX were real performers in their day. Buick's Stage 1 455 had more torque than a Hemi for cryin' out loud! The GSX surprised more than a few Chevelle SS and GTOs (and it was clearly the superior car, and looked better!) I wish them the best, but it's gonna be a long, hard road. However it's not impossible, look at the recent turnaround of Hyundai/Kia.

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NoNameDenton Posted: 7/16/2009 9:49pm PDT

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54chevyman Posted: 7/17/2009 5:30am PDT

Look you read the review Buick is back and to say, "I drive a Buick", will mean 2 things: you bought an efficient car and you are an American thru and thru! Let's face it driving a gas hog and driving a foreign car are both out of style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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TrelinDTR Posted: 7/17/2009 7:04am PDT

I think it's comical how you believe with this one car, Buick is making a complete resurgence. At my age, I don't know what a great Buick is...I wasn't alive for the GNX or the GSX, which I hear were fantastic cars...I'm in the generation that Buick is petrified of...The one that the stigma of Buick as inflicted...As I get older, unless Buick does something over the top, I will NOT buy a Buick (not saying I won't buy a GM, but NOT a Buick)...

Hahahaha...driving a foreign car is out of style and Gas hogs...Which foreign company produces gas hogs???...I really cannot think of one...It's the American brands that produce Gas hogs...

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54chevyman Posted: 7/17/2009 7:36am PDT

The double whammy of uncool would be a toyota tundra, not even highly rated lousy mileage and made in japan! The influx of Opel bread small and medium sized cars coming into Buick will give consumers a full line of well designed and well engineered vehicles to choose from. Much of the demand will be fed by reviews such as this one. Right now Buick interiors are top of the line in all their vehicles. Soon the lineup will be full of alternatives and with the fat trimmed at GM (through bankruptcy), they can compete on price with Korean and Japanese rivals! GM is lagging at this moment with gas guzzlers parked on the lots however they have advanced vehicles in the pipeline as a result of their huge engineering network.

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54chevyman Posted: 7/17/2009 7:48am PDT

Foreign gas hogs: BMW, Land Rover, Toyota Trucks, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes, to name a few. Interesting that Chrysler has access to clean diesel technology and other Fiat fuel efficient offerings which those above mentioned luxury gas hogs will soon be utilizing. GM would be well served to hang onto Opel if at all possible to keep a design and engineering arm from Europe!

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Gus Chyba Posted: 7/17/2009 7:52am PDT

Excllent review Nelson. You hear about Buicks being world contenders, so this brings it home.
I am still not a fan of FWD, and certainly don't need AWD, so this isn't on my radar, but it's good to know it's there...

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bepsf Posted: 7/17/2009 12:17pm PDT

Geez - Maybe I'm reading the wrong blog...
...but I'm in my mid-40's and I really like this car - If I were in the market for a large-ish $35K 4-door sedan, the CXL FWD would certainly be on my shortlist along w/ the Taurus LTD.

...but I don't need 4 doors, and I'd really like a big convertible that's not a Sebring or a Solara - Would it be so tough for GM to bring a $40-45K 5-seat hardtop-convertible based on this and call it Riviera? (and a $55-60K version called Eldorado?)

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NoNameDenton Posted: 7/17/2009 1:26pm PDT

54chevyman your posts are long and you post a lot of them

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stevesocks Posted: 7/17/2009 2:28pm PDT

"I want to say one word to you...just...one word..... are you listening?"
"Yes sir I am."
"... plastics."

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solo84 Posted: 7/17/2009 3:42pm PDT

i.e.- "they have advanced vehicles in the pipeline as a result of their huge engineering network."

when and where did you purchase your magic crystal ball?
i would like to obtain one too.

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54chevyman Posted: 7/18/2009 7:22am PDT

Time will tell if GM has advanced cars in the pipeline and right now VW is leading the way globally. We'll see if Buick captures the late 20" early 30's market in a big way! Just remember you heard it here first!

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Automusings Posted: 7/20/2009 7:01pm PDT

Buicks: In 1970, Motor Trend tested a Stage 1 GS 455 Skylark that turned the quarter in the low 13s at about 106 mph, PURE STOCK. It was cleverly rated it 360 (SAE gross) horsepower, while actually cranking out about 450.

By the way, my 31 year old daughter loves her previous generation LaCrosse, and we loved our 99 Century (3100), which consistently got 27-29 miles per gallon, and about 30 on trips. (The well controled suspension was much improved on the 99 over the rather wallowy 97 and 98 editions.) Buick makes excellent intermediates.

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mitzo Posted: 7/28/2009 8:44am PDT

How many generic big bulbous sedans can one market absorb?

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secrummy Posted: 7/29/2009 12:09pm PDT

Oh look, the Buick Camary! Oh boy, I'll just have to rush out an buy one. Buick hasn't made anything interesting the the GSX in the late eighties / early nineties and that was only because it was fast, they have not produced a good looking car since the late sixties. Why the Chinese continue to buy these things is beyond me... were it not for them GM, would have mercifully put this lame dog of a division out of it's misery.

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LawBoy26 Posted: 12/19/2009 10:59pm PST

A great looking car and it looks out of place in the Buick showrooms. GM hurry up and get rid of the Lucurne. Buick's version of a Chrysler 300 without the HEMI. Buick's version of the Lexus ES350 without the brand prestige, resale value. Buick as a brand has work to do still but at least their cars are heading in the right direction.

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art Posted: 1/10/2010 10:33am PST

Interior and Exterior well done however you need to sit in the car. I'm 6'2" and could not see the hood of the car. In addition, the driver's compartment by width, is tight even for a slim build. I haven't test driven car but so far these factors alone will make it difficult to consider. What were the engineers thinking? Has anyone had similar experience?

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brian Posted: 1/15/2010 4:06pm PST

I can relate to art's post regarding visibility. Even though I'm 6'4", I can't see the hood either, but I've decided that isn't that important to me. Also, if the car has a sunroof, tall people may not acheive the desired seating postion, because in addition to the already low roof, the headliner drops 2-3" to accomodate the sunroof. Also,the space is limited for the left foot of the driver due to wheel well intrusion. In general, visibility isn't good- high rear deck and wide pillars. Not enough of a problem to keep me from ordering one from the local dealer- way too many positives.

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Pete Posted: 8/5/2010 9:00pm PDT

Although impressive, skip the Buick LaCrosse and buy the 2010 Saab 9-5... basically the same car but a little more cache

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