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New car reviews » 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS

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Better than: most every recent Buick.
But not as good as: Regal GNX?
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 79.41  

Many enthusiasts expressed sadness when GM killed Oldsmobile. “Why not Buick?” they asked. Well, the new LaCrosse shows that Buick can still build a very nice car—and this one is aimed at a younger-than-usual demographic.

First off, it doesn’t feel or act like a traditional GM car. Soothing blue ambient lights bathe the occupants at night, while the various controls and buttons feel as if they came directly from Europe. The 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 offered plenty of performance for this class of car.

Then there’s the looks. The lines are sexy and the wheels properly fill the wheel wells. If this is a sign of what the “new” GM is capable of doing, we say welcome back.

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

I believe that the LaCrosse was the first Buick press car sent our way since I started working here nearly 16 years ago. Well, it made an impression—a good one, too. If Buick is going after younger buyers, this is a good tool for that job.

I know that we have been rough on GM, but this car is a 180-change from past offerings. No disrespect, but this one offers so much more, from nice details to excellent fit and finish. No, it’s not a copy of a Honda or Toyota. It has its own unique feel, and I mean that in a good way.

Hopefully the interior bits are a glimpse of what’s to come from GM. If these interior switches show up in other GM offerings, then there will be a lot of happy customers out there.

Okay, some minor gripes: slightly numb on-center steering feel, and I could lose the hood vents. Other than that, I loved everything else. I loved the engine, transmission, gauges and cockpit. The cruise control did what it was asked to do. Even the trunk was the right size.

No, it’s not a race car, but it’s a great family car. It was great on the highway and great in town.

Joe Gearin Associate Publisher:

I’d have to agree with David in liking this car. While the looks don’t really entice me, it certainly isn’t ugly—just not my cup of tea. The interior is beautiful, and the materials are top notch—really! The Buick name generally brings to mind the cloud machines of yore, and the LaCrosse certainly delivers a smooth, silent ride. What this car delivers that is new to GM—and Buick in particular—is a nicely composed trade-off between ride and handling, plus a first-class interior. Sure, this Buick can do the luxo-barge thing and eat up highway miles with ease, but it doesn’t wallow or jounce over bumps. It feels more European than geriatric American.

No, it isn’t sporting. No, it won’t inspire you to attack the next highway on-ramp. What the LaCrosse CXS does offer is an excellent alternative to the Lexus ES, or Toyota Avalon. It is smooth, pleasing and comfortable. These are not bad things at the end of a hard day’s work.

JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director:

Please don’t be a dream. Please tell me that with cars like the G8 (which is now gone), the Malibu and now the Lacrosse that GM has finally turned the corner and begun producing cars that can compete on a world stage. Of course, GM has always produced what were mostly durable, reliable vehicles (as the old adage says, most GM cars will run poorly longer than most cars will run), but they usually completely missed the boat on the level of sophistication and refinement that people were becoming accustomed to. It doesn’t matter how long a car lasts if getting into it every day is a waking nightmare that makes you want to spoon out your own eyes and eat them to save yourself the horrors of looking at that DAMN TURN SIGNAL STALK THAT HAS BEEN IN EVERY GM CAR SINCE THE FRIGGIN’ ‘84 CAVALIER!

Yeah, I know, it’s a minor gripe, but it’s one that people are tuned in to.

The Lacrosse is not a sports car. We know that. But it is a good-driving sedan that can stand up in the fit, finish and refinement departments to nearly anything else in its class. Even if it does lag behind some of the other manufacturers a bit in those regards, it’s still a quantum leap forward for GM.

I just hope they’ve finally run out of those stupid turn signal stalks.

Reader comments:

1. David S. Wallens: — Dec 16, 2009 10:13 a.m.
   

   A PS to my post, because I have a feeling that someone will comment. Our car was fairly loaded, including $1995 alone for the audio system, navigation and backup camera. The oversized sunroof added another $995. The base price includes the big engine and the lovely interior.

2. PaulY: — Dec 16, 2009 2:30 p.m.
   

   Let’s hope GM continues to build cars like this that can actually compete. Also I completly agree with JG on the interiors, I stare at the same stalk in my 97 cavalier every day…

3. confuZion3: — Dec 16, 2009 11:57 p.m.
   

   I love JG’s comment about GM cars running poorly longer than most cars will run. It’s a good-looking car. 4.5 out of 5 stars for fit and finish for a GM product?! I don’t know what is real anymore!

4. Shaun: — Dec 17, 2009 9:59 p.m.
   

   This car looks almost bizarrely current. The interior is coherent. A couple more like this and Obama gets a second term.

5. Timeormoney: — Dec 19, 2009 12:38 p.m.
   

   Wow, after living with every possible GM rental car for a year, I am totally surprised to say, “That Buick doesn’t suck!”

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