Autoblog Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL AWD

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by Aromanances

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

Agreed... they make some excellent points in the article why they should not have the stripped down version.


also... AWD in the 3.6????

[BlekherBob]

Originally Posted by Quickening

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...

The design of the housing and reflective panels can have a lot of affect. Has anyone compared Toyota’s wonderful headlights to Buick’s by measuring luminosity or at least trying both out in the same environment?

[CheetahDC]

Originally Posted by vanshmack

Autoblog is populated by a bunch of import-loving tools

Heh, don't forget, they really like Fords there too.

[Quixote88]

The 2010 LaCrosse is a gem. Though I would like to see the 3.6 used exclusively, the 3.0 will not alienate traditional Buick buyers. Not everyone needs or wants a car to do 14 second quarter miles. The 3.0 equipped cars will still be able to adequately merge onto the highway. But for those who want more power, the 3.6 equipped CXS is a relatively inexpensive upgrade to the CXL. A nicely optioned CXS will still cost you only around the starting price (or less, depending on options selected) of the base ES 350. <-- GM should push that fact. The LaCrosse is not perfect, but it is well executed and should do well with Lexus ES 350 intenders... Though it will appeal to a younger set than traditional Buick customers, 35-55 year old professionals and suburban moms as opposed to only 60+ retirees, this will not be the model that will continually bring a younger demographic to Buick showrooms... That will be the job of the Regal, Verano, and Encore... But mainly the Regal, which will be Buick's volume leader.

[Hoosier Red]

I'm 39 and this would be high on my list as a daily driver alternative to my Corvette. I have a family so sometimes I need to be able to do shuttle duty in the second family vehicle. Here's what annoys me: I can't get the 3.6 and 19 inch wheels with AWD. Is it a deal breaker? Maybe not because I'm a GM loyalist. But next year when I'm living in the snowbelt and need something that will get me to work regardless of the weather, this would be a great option in AWD form. Would I still give the Buick a look if I wasn't a loyalist? I don't know. It's almost enough for me to say "Screw Buick" and go buy the CTS AWD wagon.

[chevyman1973]

I agree that the lower entry cars for this segment doesnt need a striped model

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Hoosier Red

I'm 39 and this would be high on my list as a daily driver alternative to my Corvette. I have a family so sometimes I need to be able to do shuttle duty in the second family vehicle. Here's what annoys me: I can't get the 3.6 and 19 inch wheels with AWD. Is it a deal breaker? Maybe not because I'm a GM loyalist. But next year when I'm living in the snowbelt and need something that will get me to work regardless of the weather, this would be a great option in AWD form. Would I still give the Buick a look if I wasn't a loyalist? I don't know. It's almost enough for me to say "Screw Buick" and go buy the CTS AWD wagon.

AWD with the 3.6L is something they're looking at I believe. It's been brought up many times with Susan Docherty and engineers in webchats. Their reason was that they figured the 3.0L CXL model would be the high volume seller, so AWD was included with that, but seeing the response to the CXS model not having AWD, I would expect it to become an option eventually.

[skylark68]

Originally Posted by chevyman1973

I agree that the lower entry cars for this segment doesnt need a striped model

Buick has never shed that thought of we can build a Chevrolet too...

They sold a ton of stripped out Le Sabres ever since 1959. My neighbor across the street has a '65 Buick Special that could easily have been badged a Chevrolet. It's a 4 door post sedan with dog dish hubcaps and almost no trim. That's always been stupid in my mind. Buick shouldn't have any of these price leaders. The fact that they are still doing it today is frustrating to no end.

[1487]

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 have seen at leats 6 Lacrosses and none were driven by seniors.

No modern full size car is going to weigh 3500lbs. The Avalon is about 4 years old and is based on an OLD Camry platform. The next gen model is guaranteed to be 200-300lbs heavier once they load it down with a new rigid structure and additional sound deadening. The Acura TL is smaller than the Buick and still weighs in at over 3600lbs with FWD and 3900lbs with AWD.

Not every Lexus comes standard with leather. AB should know that.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Quixote88

The 2010 LaCrosse is a gem. Though I would like to see the 3.6 used exclusively, the 3.0 will not alienate traditional Buick buyers. Not everyone needs or wants a car to do 14 second quarter miles. The 3.0 equipped cars will still be able to adequately merge onto the highway. But for those who want more power, the 3.6 equipped CXS is a relatively inexpensive upgrade to the CXL. A nicely optioned CXS will still cost you only around the starting price (or less, depending on options selected) of the base ES 350. <-- GM should push that fact. The LaCrosse is not perfect, but it is well executed and should do well with Lexus ES 350 intenders... Though it will appeal to a younger set than traditional Buick customers, 35-55 year old professionals and suburban moms as opposed to only 60+ retirees, this will not be the model that will continually bring a younger demographic to Buick showrooms... That will be the job of the Regal, Verano, and Encore... But mainly the Regal, which will be Buick's volume leader.

I have actually driven the Lacrosse and SRX with the 3L engine. Its fine for normal driving. I'm sure if you want to pass a tractor trailer on the highway its not ideal but in everyday driving in the city and burbs its FINE. Edmunds clocked the 3L Lacrosse to 60 in 8.4 secs and their times are usually slow. The Equinox can supposedly do it in 7.8secs which is about what I would expect from a FWD Lacrosse. That is hardly too slow for normal people.

For reference a $45k 528i weighs about 3600lbs and has 230hp standard. The A6 has 265hp standard for well over $40k. The $35k C300 has 230hp standard. The Taurus has 265hp standard and it weighs about 4000lbs and is good for an 8 sec 0-60 time.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Rocket 88

If the LaCrosse is suppose to be Buicks flagship sedan then many of the issues noted need to be resolved quickly or Buick will not be successful.

Most alarming is the disappointment with the 3.0 V6 and having the 2.4 L4 on the way.

Several of the concerns raised in the article seem easily fixable such as content packaging choices. i.e. maybe a back up system should be standard if not the camera.

If GM wants folks to think of Buick as the equivelant of Lexus, then these new Buicks need to be better then Lexus, and not almost as good. This car has a lot going for it. A few tweaks might make it a car that could change Buick.

Buick may be aimed at Lexus but its not going to ape Lexus at every turn. The most expensive Lexus is $106k- do you really think Buick is going to have such a car? Stop believing that every move has to be dictated by the competition. Buick's mission is LEXUS LIKE, that doesn't mean its going to match LExus vehicle for vehicle and in terms of price. Buick will be priced lower than Lexus while delievering LExus like quality and refinement. The fact that Buick is going to launch a compact sedan tells you they are not going to mirror Lexus. The Lacrosse will match up with the ES and the Enclave matches up with the RX, but that's about it. There will be no Buick competitor for the SC, LS, GS, GX, LX, HS, etc. Buick still has to represent value and their most expensive vehicle is about $45k will all the options. That is WAY less than the highest Lexus.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Quickening

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...

Does a $38k Avalon have projectors? The camry has projectors but doesn't offer HIDs. The Venza lacks projectors as well.

Most car buyers could care less about such things. The '99-2003 TL didnt have projectors and it sold well.

[1487]

This seems to be more representative of Lacrosse reviews.

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2009...uick-lacrosse/

[1957wildcat]

Originally Posted by skylark68

Buick has never shed that thought of we can build a Chevrolet too...

Lutz said no more Buicks priced in Chevrolet territory!

[Ach]

Not only should they make the 3.6 standard, they should stop detuning it for this application. 300 bhp, please. It's right there for the CTS and Camaro...why not here?