Buick LaCrosse
Buick LaCrosse
Buick LaCrosse

2018 Buick LaCrosse

Pros: Spacious cabin; upscale interior materials; quietness; surprisingly engaging handling

Cons: All-wheel drive only offered with top trims; some testers find the non-traditional shift lever’s operation awkward

CG Says: The 2018 Buick LaCrosse gains a new base powertrain. Standard power for LaCrosse is GM’s eAssist system that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with a compact electric motor for a total of 194 horsepower. The 3.6-liter V6 engine returns with horsepower increased slightly to 310. The V6 is paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission that replaces an eight-speed auto. All-wheel drive is newly available with Essence trim. Added midyear was a new line-topping Avenir model with a unique grille and more luxurious interior trim. What Denali is to the GMC line, Avenir will be to Buick. The model lineup ascends through Base, Preferred, Essence, Premium, and now Avenir trim levels. Available features include an adaptive suspension system, massaging front seats, wireless phone charging, and power-adjustable steering wheel. Available safety features include forward collision warning and intervention with pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, lane-change alert, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-path detection. The recently redesigned Buick LaCrosse improves on its predecessor in pretty much every way, offering more interior and cargo room, desirable new technology features, and handsome new styling. When properly equipped, it also delivers a surprisingly nimble driving character that’s sportier than you’d expect from a big Buick sedan. The new LaCrosse has moved upmarket from its predecessor, and the prices have risen accordingly—but this classy, comfortable, and confident big sedan justifies its cost.

The Facts
Class Large Car
Body Style(s) 4-door sedan
Passenger Count 5
Drive Wheels front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Buick
Nation of Manufacture USA
Base Prices Base: $30,490
Preferred: $34,590
Essence: $37,290
AWD Essence: $39,550
Premium: $39,590
AWD Premium: $44,350
Avenir: 45,795
AWD Avenir: $47,995

Base Engine
2.5-liter 4-cylinder/electric
Horsepower
194
Std. Transmission
6-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
25
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
35

Optional Engine
3.6-liter V6
Horsepower
310
Std. Transmission
9-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
20-21
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
29-30

Buick LaCrosse Avenir
2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir
Buick LaCrosse
2018 Buick LaCrosse
NHTSA Ratings
Overall - 5
100%

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Crash - 5
100%
Side Crash - 5
100%
Rollover - 5
100%

For complete ratings click here.

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