Review: New Buick LaCrosse is plush and mannerly

[Ming]

Up to the task: New Buick LaCrosse is plush and mannerly
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Thursday, May 19, 2005
By James M. Miller

The 2005 Buick LaCrosse has an important niche to fill, but it's up to the job.

The LaCrosse is the replacement for two models, the Century and Regal, as Buick's entry in the midsize market.

The General Motors division sold a lot of those cars over the years, so it has a lot riding on the new LaCrosse.

Members of the Buick Club of America like to say that "Buicks were made to be driven," and the LaCrosse is comfortably in that heritage.

It has good road manners on the highway, with a smooth ride and quiet passenger cabin.

But with the touring suspension that's standard on the CXS model, you also can toss it into a turn or accelerate through a sweeping curve and not feel it roll like the big sedans of bygone days.

The LaCrosse also is available with GM's Stabilitrak stability control system - offered for the first time on a midsize Buick sedan.

The interior is plush and comfortable, with nice wood accents on the steering wheel, console, dash and shifter.

The first time I opened the trunk, I thought, "Wow - it's like a '56 Buick." And while it may not be that big (I didn't measure a '56 for comparison), it does have a lot of room.

The test model is fitted with GM's 3.6-liter V-6 engine, which kicks out 240 horsepower and delivers good acceleration.

The 3.6-liter engine, with variable valve timing for better efficiency and cleaner exhaust, is standard on the CXS edition. The Flint-built 3.8-liter V-6, rated at 200 horsepower, is the standard engine on the CX and CXL versions of the LaCrosse.

The test model has most of the available options, including automatic heating and air conditioning with two front zones.

It's a great system, especially here in Michigan where the weather always seems to be changing. On one day the sun was shining and the air conditioning system kept the interior at a comfortable 70 degrees. Then the clouds took over and it got cool, so the system automatically turned on the heater to keep things at 70 degrees, and I never touched a button.

The Environmental Protection Agency's estimated mileage figures for the LaCrosse are 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The "instant mileage" readout on the car's dash showed that the LaCrosse was delivering mileage in that range.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/business/fljour...6127157580.xml

[giagastormer]

I read that article at work today - great review. I always enjoy reading articles written my James Miller.

[Ming]

The first time I opened the trunk, I thought, "Wow - it's like a '56 Buick." And while it may not be that big (I didn't measure a '56 for comparison), it does have a lot of room.

I've found particularly that import owners tend to be awed at the size of trunks in GM FWD cars on the W and G body platforms. They are used to the tiny Passat-like trunks that offer very little storage by comparison, probably to keep the overhang short in cars where the overall length of the car is dictated more by interior space. So my Bonneville's trunk generally impresses people who have only driven imports.

[fastdriver]

Can't disagree with anything that he said. Great car. So far, so good.

[jro4566]

It was a good "review." Still, it seemed as if he were restating the specifications off of Buick.com rather than reviewing the car. 16.0 cu ft. is about average in the midsize class being bested by the Camry and new Sonata. He even states that there is wood trim on the steering wheel which isn't available. Plus, almost every other midsize vehicle offers dual-zone automatic climate control and front/rear cupholders. This writer, even though he wrote a good article needs to learn how to do a proper review on vehicles. That means he needs to tell us about its quirks, its highs, more about driving dynamics, stereo system, and more.

And maybe mention that excessive front over hang. Also that black LaCrosse photo in the ariticle looks great but those wheels are not available and that angle does not show how nose heavy this car is. It is an updated Regal. I see a lot of them in my area and almost always rental cars.

[giagastormer]

Maybe wood trim on the steering wheel is available for the 2006 model year.

[jro4566]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

Maybe wood trim on the steering wheel is available for the 2006 model year.

I don't know about that, but he says he reviewed a 2005 model.