Buick has spent the last decade trying to shed its image as a retiree's brand and reposition itself as a premium automaker. It's finding some success in this quest, and one model that's helping is the 2016 Buick LaCrosse.
Pricing and Equipment
With a starting price of $31,065, the LaCrosse is one of the least pricey sedans in its class. However, once you move into the Premium trims, the price quickly nears and eventually exceeds the $40,000 range. In fact, the Premium I trim with all-wheel drive creeps all the way up to $40,675.
The LaCrosse comes with some great standard features like:
- Buick IntelliLink
- Remote start
- Power front seats
- Bluetooth
Performance Pros
The LaCrosse is a proper grand tourer when equipped with GM’s 3.6-liter V6 and 304 horsepower under the hood. What’s more, optional all-wheel drive makes slippery roads just another stroll down the interstate.
- We like the LaCrosse's smooth power delivery
- Optional all-wheel drive makes it great for snowy climates
- Responsive handling with optional magnetic adjustable suspension
Performance Cons
It’s still a Buick, which means it won’t be winning any autocross events any time soon:
- You'll feel a pretty heavy body roll
- The base 2.4-liter eAssist engine runs a bit rough
- Fuel economy from the V6 leaves us wishing for a turbo four-cylinder
Interior Pros
When we got into the 2016 Buick LaCrosse, we found its infotainment system is very easy to work. What's more, Buick's "Quiet Tuning" keeps cabin noise to a whisper.
- Plenty of soft-touch materials
- Higher trim levels deliver outstanding luxury
- Large back seat with loads of headroom
Interior Cons
We find the base LaCrosse a little bland in terms of equipment and comfort bits. Some of the styling pieces just seem out of place in this car.
- Standard features aren't anything great at this price point
- Plastic panels are too abundant on the base model
- Wood trim seems forced
The Most Pleasant Surprise
The extreme hush of the LaCrosse is a pleasant surprise for us. Sure, serene cabins have been a Buick trademark for years, but we find the LaCrosse to be exceptionally quiet.
The Least Pleasant Surprise
A quick glance at the EPA estimates shows 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with the V6 and front-wheel drive. With the eAssist, things get a little better at 36 mpg highway, but you have to sacrifice a lot of performance to get good fuel economy.
The Bottom Line
For buyers trying to stretch their dollar, the entire Buick lineup is a great alternative to BMW, Mercedes-Benz or even Buick's cousin Cadillac. You lose a little brand cachet, but the LaCrosse delivers good value with its premium experience.
