2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS

2010 Buick LaCrosse (Courtesy of GMC media, Buick Division)
For years, sales of the Buick brand have been high overseas, especially in places like China, which buys more of the product that any other country in the world.

The Lacrosse is one of the reasons that Buick has such a good name as it exudes a feeling of quality among its buyers. It is equipped with a 3.6-liter direct injection V-6, real-time active-dampening suspension (optional), perforated leather-appointed, heated, and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels. The engine comes in a 6-speed automatic transmission that generates 280 hp and 259 lb.-ft of torque.

Looking from the driver's seat (Courtesy of GMC media, Buick Division)

Heated and ventilated seats kept me warm in Dallas when our first cool front came through last week. The ambient blue lighting in the instrument panel, on the doors and at other often-darkened corners made for happy and comforting night riding.

Pricing for the 2010 Lacrosse starts at just a little under $28,000. The top base model, and the one I got to test-drive for a week, was just a little over $33,000. The mileage was 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. I averaged a little less in the city and a little better on my trip out west.

Buick also offers an optional 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. It doesn’t carry all the amenities or luxury accessories of the 3.6L, but gets around 30 mpg. At my slightly slumping age and increasing profile, I prefer the larger engine with the luxuries. But lop off 30 years and 35 pounds and I would be in the market for the smaller engine. Regardless of which engine you choose, the interior of the vehicle is spectacular and the comfortable ride gives you a taste of luxury.

GM keeps Buick (LaCrosse CXS)

GM has dropped some brands (Hummer, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn,
Saab) and retained others, namely: Chevrolet, Buick Cadillac and GMC.
Basically, drop the duds and fly (motor) with the brands that indeed have
the best prospects!

Buick has earned a reputation for building some of the best rated cars
that GM has offered. Additionally, Buick’s styling has shown well
thought out design and execution. As a reference point, this new
2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS is aimed squarely at the front-wheel drive
Lexus ES 350. Its basic profile is similar to the Lexus, however, it is
5.8 inches longer, 1.4 inches wider, and 2.1 inches taller. Furthermore,
the larger dimensions show up in some extra back seat room.

The CXS was actually designed in China as Buicks have held appeal there
for some time with the upper class. The exterior of this new car is expressive
with its crisp shoulder lines and concave lower door panels accented with
a clean looking chrome strip.

If the exterior of the CXS is inviting, the interior closes the deal. Some
of the highlights include double seam stitching and faux wood that has a
soothing effect – especially at night when the dash provides ambient blue
lighting. With the doors closed and the front acoustic glass plus the extra
thick (5mm rear) windows up, the interior has dome like silence providing
meditation like tranquility.

In a direct comparison to Lexus, Buick offers three DOHC direct-injected
engine choices all of which are connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The base CXS has a 2.4-liter 182 hp 4-cylinder engine rated at 20 mpg city and
30 mpg on the highway. Next, is a 3.0-liter V6 making 252 hp and available in
front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Additionally, a 3.6-liter 280 hp V6 is available
with front-wheel drive only.

Buick’s all-wheel drive system is a Lexus trumping feature. It has a Haldex
system with limited slip rear differential and the capacity to shift torque front
to back and left to right. Other options include remote starting, Blind Zone
Alert (coming soon), electronic Dampening control, and a touring package
including 19-inch wheels.

2008 Buick Lacrosse CXS

Buick Lacrosse CXS 2008 - Front View

2008 Buick Lacrosse CXS - Cockpit Interior View

Buick Lacrosse CXS 2008 - Front Angle View

2008 Buick Lacrosse CXS - Front Details View

Buick Lacrosse CXS 2008 - Front Side View

2008 Buick Lacrosse CXS - Rear Details View

Buick will freshen its 2008 LaCrosse line with the new face of Buick – a front-end design inspired by the Velite convertible concept – and an elevated list of standard equipment across all LaCrosse models.

Like the recently introduced Buick Enclave luxury crossover and Super models, the 2008 LaCrosse features a more distinctive front end. The new design brings the 2008 LaCrosse sedan in line with a common Buick family appearance. The fascia, hood and chrome waterfall grille are new. The 2008 model will also offer four new exterior colors, including Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.

Inside, the ’08 LaCrosse continues to offer a well-equipped, comfortable and quiet interior. More comfort and convenience features are now standard for CX, CXL and CXS models for 2008. The LaCrosse CX, for example, is a richer entry-level car, adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization and more. All trim levels now have a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel controls and dual-zone climate control as added standard equipment.

“LaCrosse really started the evolution to the new Buick you see today,” said Buick General Manager Steve Shannon. “It introduced a new direction for Buick cars, with great design, performance and fuel economy with a premium and quiet interior. Indeed, LaCrosse set the foundation for the new Buick.”

The LaCrosse line now offers three powertrains. The CX and CXL trims are powered by the 3.8L V-6, now in Series III form. With more than 25 million sold, it is one of the most proven and reliable engines in the industry. Rated at 200 horsepower (149 kW), the 3.8L features electronic throttle control to improve engine response and optimize fuel efficiency, along with upgrades for quiet operation.

The performance-oriented LaCrosse CXS has a standard 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing that delivers 240 horsepower (179 kW). The premium, all-aluminum engine features dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Its fully variable intake and exhaust valve timing achieves outstanding flexibility, delivering 90 percent of the engine’s peak torque where it is most useful, between 1,500 rpm and 6,000 rpm. The 3.6L VVT delivers a market-leading balance of good specific output, high torque over a broad rpm band, fuel economy and first-rate noise vibration and harshness control.

The recently announced 2008 LaCrosse Super introduces a V-8 engine and portholes to the LaCrosse lineup. With the fuel efficiency of a V-6, the new 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology can propel LaCrosse Super from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. GM’s AFM engine technology seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel.