2019 Buick LaCrosse Review: Almost Luxury

Now in its third year - and with a 2017 remodeling under its belt - the Buick LaCrosse is still quite young, and trying to deal with its teething issues as the brand seeks to move up the ranks of the large sedan segment. It certainly has a lot going for it to ensure it is up to the task. Two powertrains are offered, the standard 194-horsepower hybrid and the 310-hp V6, which is offered as standard on the new Sport Touring trim. Complementing these engines is an interior that keeps style fore of thought. It may not be perfect, but the leatherette seats are comfortable and lavish, while the infotainment system is modern and extensive, if somewhat clunky at times. With a reasonable starting price of $29,570, this fledgling entry by Buick is sure to stand its ground against rivals like the Chrysler 300 and Chevrolet Impala.

What's the Price of the 2019 Buick LaCrosse?

The LaCrosse is reasonably priced for a large sedan, with a starting MSRP of $29,570 on the 1SV. Getting behind the wheel of the Preferred trim will cost you $33,670, while the Essence has a price tag of $36,370. The Premium model will set you back $38,670. Sitting at just under the $40k mark, the Sport Touring asks you to lay out $39,370. Breaking the aforementioned price barrier, the top-tier Avenir is one of the more expensive sedans in its segment at $44,870. Since all-wheel-drive is only available with the V6 engine, the Essence and Premium get launched over the $40k mark at $41,070 and $43,370, respectively, when configured as such. All prices exclude taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $925.

Handling and Driving Impressions

In its base guise, the LaCrosse is by no means a performance vehicle. The eAssist engine is unhurried, and handling dynamics of the sedan seem tuned to suit this sedate attitude. The suspension is far too light for high-speed maneuvers, causing the chassis to shift unsettlingly when turning at anything above casual town speeds.

The steering is responsive, at least, and offers quite a bit of resistance during faster turns, but communication from the wheels is lost in all that open space between the suspension and chassis. Overall, the Buick fails to deliver an engaging or inspiring driving experience. But that changes quite a bit if you throw in the V6 engine and slap on the Dynamic Drive Package.

The combination of a far more capable engine with the available Sport Mode and continuously variable real-time damping, transforms the sedan into something far more eager, with spirited acceleration and competent handling characteristics. And since these changes are mechanical and not structural, the would-be luxury sedan doesn't have to sacrifice on ride quality, although the larger 20-inch wheels don't help its case.

Speaking of which, the LaCrosse doesn't do a bad job at cosseting, with seats that are eminently comfortable and plenty of creature comforts inside the cabin. External noise is handled well, but road and wind noise can be quite intrusive. Ride comfort is quite good, but when you're considering a large sedan, especially from manufacturers who want to make inroads into the luxury segment, you will want more than just good. Large bumps and imperfections shouldn't rattle you as much as they do in the Buick.

Verdict: Is the 2019 Buick LaCrosse A Good car?

Buick gets a lot right with its remodeled large sedan by managing to balance the precarious factors modern buyers weigh when deciding on a new vehicle. The LaCrosse is a pretty decent all-round vehicle, with only a few weak points. Unfortunately, these shortcomings hold it back from achieving the luxury status that the manufacturer was aiming for with the redesign.

Two engines are offered - one focusing on economy while the other leans more towards performance. Neither engine fails horribly in the area where the other shines, so it's really up to you to decide which is the better choice for you. The handling dynamics on every model, regardless of the engine, are merely passable, but they become far more engaging once you throw on a few extra features offered on the mid-to-top tier trims.

Sadly, nothing can really fix the trunk, which is well below average in this segment, although not so poor as to make the sedan a write-off. The passenger space is also not ideal, but the focus Buick places on comfort and modern tech features are more than enough to distract from this minor complaint.

Overall, the LaCrosse is definitely worth consideration. It may not be perfect, but the areas where it really shines keep it in the running against more refined large sedans.

What Buick LaCrosse Model Should I Buy?

If you want to balance quality with affordability, then the mid-level Essence should fit the bill quite well. It comes with perforated leather seats as standard, and gives you a fairly long list of advanced safety features, although there is still room to improve and you can add a package or two while still keeping the total price below $40k. This trim also gives access to the stronger V6 engine, if you want to add performance to the mix, but it may throw the affordability part of your equation off a bit.

2019 Buick LaCrosse Comparisons

2019 Buick LaCrosse vs Buick Regal Sportback

The Regal Sportback is the smaller sibling to the LaCrosse, diverting from the traditional sedan style in favor of a sportier hatchback approach. This makes the car more maneuverable around town and easier to park. Surprisingly, this reduction in size does not negatively impact on the interior of the Sportback, with an impressive 31.5 cubic feet of space on offer in the hatch-style trunk. Passengers are not so fortunate, with both head- and legroom rather limited in the rear and only slightly more generous in the front. The Regal is also not quite as well-appointed, with the material and build quality a few steps below that of the LaCrosse. The Sportback has a stronger base engine, in the form of a 250-hp turbo four-cylinder, making it quicker on the road than the large sedan, but it is heavier and less fuel-efficient, getting 22/32/26 mpg. However, the Regal has a much lower starting price of $26,295. With the LaCrosse not quite meeting the luxury standard it aspires to, and the Regal offering more utility and driveability, the more practical choice is the Regal.

2019 Buick LaCrosse vs Chevrolet Impala

The Impala rivals the LaCross quite closely in terms of performance, with a 197-hp four-cylinder engine under the hood as standard. However, this is not a hybrid engine like the Buick's, meaning it is less efficient, returning only 22/29/25 mpg; the stronger 305-hp V6 fares even worse. Still, the Chevy is well-appointed inside, if somewhat less opulently than its rival, and it provides more cargo room at 18.8 cubic feet. The lower starting price of $28,090 is undermined by the poorer efficiency figures, and for this price, you get a cabin that is far less luxurious than you might expect from a large, near-luxury sedan. With respectable performance, a plush interior, adequate storage space, and excellent fuel economy, the Buick LaCrosse is worth the higher financial outlay.