2010 Buick LaCrosse: First Drive

Breakthrough LaCrosse is the best Buick sedan yet

The redesigned 2010 LaCrosse is very different from previous Buick sedans in terms of agility, refinement, quietness, and sophistication. The sticker price starts at about $28,000 and climbs to the high $30,000s. The base engine is a 255-hp 3.0-liter V6. Higher trim levels get a 280-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. Early next year, a four-cylinder engine will be available. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the larger engine too. We bought a fully loaded, front-wheel-drive CXS-the top trim level. Our car cost us $37,555 and included a touch-screen navigation system, 19-inch wheels, and an oversized sunroof.

First impressions

On the road the LaCrosse feels sophisticated, from its responsive handling to the composed ride and roomy, luxurious interior. The 3.6-liter V6 engine accelerates eagerly, with power to spare for passing and hill climbing, and the transmission is silky smooth. So far we've been averaging about 21 mpg. A 3.0-liter V6 version we briefly sampled felt humdrum by comparison. The nicely weighted steering responds smartly and body lean stays well contained while the car corners. The ride is supple and controlled, although the wide, low-profile tires cause a few whacks and some cabin noise at low speeds. Except for some tire sizzle, the cabin stays pleasingly hushed.

The large front seats are comfortable and keep the occupants fatigue free even on long hauls. The well-made, lush interior has a nicely sculpted soft-touch dashboard and tasteful upholstery stitching. But a few areas come up short. Controls are mostly easy to master but the sea of buttons on the center console can be daunting. The front doors have no obvious handle for pulling them shut, and the dash protrudes far enough that it's easy for some to bash a knee while climbing out. The high belt line compromises the view out, especially to the rear, although the rear-view camera does help when parking. The rear seats are very roomy and the trunk is large.

CR's take

The biggest handicap facing the new LaCrosse might be the Buick nameplate. Despite a few detail flaws, it may be a breakout car for GM and fully competitive with an Acura TL or Lexus ES350. We will have to wait for the completion of our formal tests before we can tell where it will end up in the large-sedan class.

Research the Buick LaCrosse and sedans. Discuss Buick and sedans in the forums.