Autoblog Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL AWD

[FenwickHockey65]

Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL aims upmarket and almost hits target
Link to article

By Alex Nunez
October 27, 2009

With great fanfare, General Motors has introduced the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, a vehicle with which the automaker hopes to jump-start a sweeping brand transformation for the tired Tri-Shield. For Buick to be a success in GM's post-bailout, post-bankruptcy era, the brand must dump its well-deserved reputation as the preferred marque of last-time buyers. (Average age of previous-model LaCrosse buyer: Around 70.) For better or worse, as it scrambles to get more – and younger – drivers behind the wheel, Buick has elected to position itself as America's Lexus in a bid to give itself some premium cachet.

Frankly, that's a pretty tall order, but if first impressions mean anything, the Buick LaCrosse might be crowned GM's savior on appearances alone, because it's that attractive, especially compared to the fish-faced namesake it replaces. The 2009-and-prior LaCrosse looks like the unfortunate love child of a third-generation Ford Taurus and a Mitsuoka Orochi. Or, put plainly, it looks like some ugly Chinese car. By comparison, the 2010 LaCrosse is classy and stylish. Therein lies the delicious irony: the 2010 Buick LaCrosse's glitzy looks were, in fact, jointly developed with GM China's design team. Go figure, and be thankful. In the metal, this ride draws plenty appreciative stares.

Full review and more pictures at the link.

[Aromanances]

I have long thought the striped CX hurts Buicks image more than the top of the line cars help

[T'Cal]

Overall the vehicle impresses. The weight issue bothers me, though. If you can look past that, it looks like it is a worthy competitor to the ES350, a posh, high quality near luxury sedan with no sporting pretentions at all. I look forward to a comparison that includes the Lincoln MkZ.

[rsbaker]

It gets dinged for not being a "Bahn Burner" but guess what, No Lexus is either. Lacrosse is and exceptional car and Like with the CTS, there are some in the automotive press who can not bring themselves to admit GM made a world class car. Still the review was positive. With the recent news that the upcoming Buick Regal will also get a GS model, perhaps Lacrosse will at some point be offered in a more sporting GS model as well. Let’s hope!

[Hitman1970]

Banning fogeytastic beige as a color would help too. Good review.

[rsbaker]

Originally Posted by Aromanances

I have long thought the striped CX hurts Buicks image more than the top of the line cars help

Agreed! If Buick still wants to offer the 4 cylinder motor for fuel economy reasons it should still come with some of the basic "Bling" like fog lamps and alloy wheels. Those wheel covers have got to go. Maybe they should drop the CX model or at least it's plainess when the less expensive Regal hits the market in the spring. They should not cheapen Regal either on it base model. Ban all wheel covers from Buick completely!

[vanshmack]

The 3.0/AWD combo is going to be a problem for this car. Everyone seems to be complaining about the performance. Even though Autoblog is populated by a bunch of import-loving tools, they do have a point in THAT respect.

That said, for them to say that it "almost hits the target" after writing a very strong review about it shows that they're not very objective.

I guess the question is, is the middling performance enough to knock the car into also-ran status?

[tgunnd39]

Seems to me to be exactly what they wanted it to be, nothing more. Not the fully loaded car; certainly not the 3.6 CXS.

Buick has definitely hit its target. More good news for GM.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by Aromanances

I have long thought the striped CX hurts Buicks image more than the top of the line cars help

Exactly the fact that this car comes with just normal headlights and not Xenon or at least projectors on all levels is a major knock against it. The Camry has a least projectors...and Buick is suppose to be a full step above Toyota...

[YupYupYup]

In the eyes of the Lexus driving writers, a GM car can never be good enough...It will only ever equal the competition (which they drive at home) and they will always remind you "how bad" the previous generation was...

[silvergoat2k6]

The 3.0L V6 and about 500 pounds need to go away...Buick needs to make the 3.6L V6 standard across the board, and I also agree with doing away with the CX model.

I have seen one new LaCrosse on the streets, and it was being driven by a 70-year-old woman.

[Plague]

Not that I want or have seen a CX, I think the argument against steel wheels is bogus. When you look at the wheels in question, you can't tell that they are steel. This isn't a plastic cap over a wheel that doesn't cover all of the steel. It doesn't look bad.

[Smellhound]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

The 3.0L V6 and about 500 pounds need to go away...Buick needs to make the 3.6L V6 standard across the board, and I also agree with doing away with the CX model.

I have seen one new LaCrosse on the streets, and it was being driven by a 70-year-old woman.

I can live with the extra weight if it comes with extra equipment and a larger sized car. In a perfect world it would be better to be lighter, but it isn't needed. HOWEVER, yet anothe reveiw that shows the new 3.0 isn't good enough for the car it is put it. Can the "NEW" GM just admit it's mistake and get rid of that engine in any and EVERY car it currently is used in (Including the Chevrolet Equinox) and only use it in cars that weight under 3,500 lbs?

[SigEpCutlass]

If Buick is truly upscale in GM's universe, what moron at GM decided it was luxurious to offer a base model without alloy wheels? Seriously...nothing says class like steelies with hubcaps. I don't think Acura or Infinity has leather standard on their competing base models either do they?

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

I have seen one new LaCrosse on the streets, and it was being driven by a 70-year-old woman.

OH NOES!!1! We can't allow old people to drive luxurious and comfortable cars now can we? Maybe if I get in the car, someone will see me and say its suddenly a car for young people...

If the car is good, the demographic will eventually follow. Don't put the cart before the horse.


And BTW, let me agree with everyone who said the 3.0 and base CX trim need to go. In fact, the 3.0 should be gone period and replaced by the 3.6 for all applications, since there's apparently no real mpg difference.