2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium FWD gets swagger back
Will Chamberlain/For The Times
Under the hood of the Buick LaCrosse is a 3.6L V6 from GM’s arsenal that produces 310 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a very smooth 8-speed automatic and down to the pavement via front-wheel drive.
Will Chamberlain/For The Times
Don’t look now but Buick has redesigned its flagship sedan into a large, old-school saloon that will appeal to folks that have been loyal to the brand. People that I have talked to that love Buick seem to embrace the new LaCrosse almost unanimously. Maybe it’s the proper size for a top-of-the-line sedan or maybe it’s the quiet tuned interior, either way people took notice and like it.
Under the hood is a 3.6L V6 from GM’s arsenal that produces 310 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a very smooth 8-speed automatic and down to the pavement via front-wheel drive. You can also opt for the all-wheel drive version. Power is adequate for this sedan and provides strong acceleration. Shifting is also predictable and quiet in the Buick. I tested it on my favorite low speed hill climb and it passed with ease.
Exterior styling is curved, fluid and all Buick. An upright grill in front displays the logo and is flanked by LED marker lights. The grill accents flow up the hood and spill down the body lines to evoke an almost Impala-like side profile. Large 20-inch wheels are at all four corners and look magnificent on this sedan. Around back the new Lacrosse has sweeping LED tail lamps that are standard and elegant. The dual exhaust pipes are also well done and peak from the chrome trim. The most pronounced feature of the exterior, in my opinion, is the sweeping fast-back style of the roof line to the trunk. It looks long and also athletic at the same time.
Slide into the driver’s seat and you are surrounded by a tasteful and thoughtful interior. It’s not flashy like a Cadillac, it’s not all plastic like a Chevy but it’s a good mix of wood grain, matte rubber and glossy finishes perfect for a Buick. Centering the dash is a touch screen that has a smudge-free surface, another feature I love. The screen has a dull appearance to help with glare and fingerprints and does a great job. Below that are the HVAC controls that feature digital temp displays. Down farther is the game changer in my opinion, the gear selector. It’s different in the Buick and is my first experience with it. It’s similar to a BMW and more of a joystick than a traditional shifter. Park is a button at the top, to select Drive you need to hold the side button and pull downward. To select Reverse, hold the button again and move up and to the left. It takes a little practice and works fairly well but is a change.
Legroom and head room are plentiful. Rear seat passengers will be delighted with the amount of space and comfort the LaCrosse provides. The trunk is also good sized and could carry golf clubs or a day at the mall. There are side compartments that can hold smaller items. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is most new cars won’t swallow a golf bag without first removing the driver — the LaCrosse is no different.
On road the LaCrosse is exactly what I expected — exceptionally quiet and easy to drive. Smooth steering feedback, adequate power delivery and a soft ride to waft you down the road. Buick calls it “quiet tuning” and I agree that it’s working. With the windows up the outside and buffered and muted. Ride comfort even with 20-inch wheels is worth noting and the steering is butter smooth. Even on twisty roads the LaCrosse stays composed and provides some excitement. Highway cruising is where you’ll love this sedan.
Buick claims 25 mpg average and I was able to maintain 23 mpg during my road test. MSRP for the Premium FWD is $41,065. Adding the Driver, Roof and Audio packages bumped the price to $48,395.
Will Chamberlain is a local freelance automotive journalist and can be reached at wchamberlain@pghcarguys.com and www.pghcarguys.com.