The LaCrosse offers a great design, all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving powertrains. A fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine is the standard engine in CX and CXL FWD models (it was added to the lineup in mid-2010 on CX).

Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the Ecotec 2.4L powertrain delivers an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city – making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Buick expects about 25 percent of LaCrosse customers will opt for the engine.

Direct injection technology helps the Ecotec 2.4L deliver 182 horsepower (136 kW) and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm). The injection of fuel directly into the combustion chamber enables a higher compression ratio to increase efficiency and horsepower. That means more power is made with less fuel and lower emissions. In fact, cold-start emissions are reduced by up to 25 percent with direct injection. Engineers tuned the engine to deliver greater torque at lower rpm and build it smoothly toward its peak at 4,900 rpm, giving the LaCrosse excellent performance in all driving conditions.

The Ecotec 2.4L diversifies the LaCrosse’s powertrain lineup, which also includes a 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing and direct injection; it is rated at 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 259 lb.-ft. of torque (351 Nm). AWD is available on 3.6L-equipped models.

Price: $26,495 – 33,265.

Reduces Torque Steer

HiPer Strut is based on the MacPherson strut front suspension design and features dual-path top mountings that separate the transfer of spring and damper loads to the body structure. A combined steering knuckle/strut carrier is unique to the design. The lower control arms are attached to a rigid sub-frame that is bolted to the body structure with four isolators that reduce the transmission of noise and vibrations to the interior.

The design also enables a limited-slip differential, for even greater traction, and supports better ride quality with larger-diameter wheels – including LaCrosse CXS’ available 19-inch wheels.

At the rear suspension, the CX, CXL and base CXS models feature a four-link design that is mounted to the body at four points. CXS with optional 19-inch wheels and Touring Package feature a more sophisticated H-arm design that uses the same attachment points as the four-link system but with the cross member attached via isolated mounts. The lower H-arm replaces the basic trailing link, delivering a greater ride quality and lower noise.

Interior

Inside, the interior is defined by a flowing, uninterrupted design theme that wraps around the instrument and door panels. Attention to detail is evident throughout the interior, including the analog instrument cluster, chrome offset by dark woodgrain accents, and contrasting stitching on the instrument panel.

Buick’s signature QuietTuning – an engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise – provides a distraction-free passenger environment. An unexpected, inviting touch is the ice blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin from the center console, instrument panel and door handle pockets.

Technology

The contemporary atmosphere of the cabin is accented with available digital connectivity and personal technologies that include in-dash navigation with a 40-gig hard drive (10 gigs reserved for music), Bluetooth, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy an available power rear-window sunshade and a DVD entertainment system with two display screens integrated into the seatbacks.

LaCrosse’s intelligent technologies also work to deliver a 360-degree field of vision behind the steering wheel, for a greater feeling of comfort, security and safety. It starts with the available head-up display in the windshield, allowing the driver to monitor speed while keeping his or her eyes on the road. At night, available adaptive lighting can direct the high-intensity discharge headlight beams up to 15 degrees for enhanced illumination of the road and its curves.

LaCrosse offers Side Blind Zone Alert technology that notifies the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the driver’s blind spot. The available rearview camera features a display integrated into the navigation system screen.

The technologies available on LaCrosse enhance a suite of standard safety features, including front-, side- and roof-mounted head-curtain air bags, and GM’s StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system. The safety and security of OnStar is also included for the first year of ownership.

Control

Along with HiPer Strut suspension in the CXS, all LaCrosse models employ a variety of state-of-the-art systems that enable exceptional vehicle control through the steering system, brakes and more. GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard on all models. Additional highlights include:

• Variable effort power steering that delivers greater assistance at low speeds, such as parking maneuvers, and reduced effort at higher speeds for a greater feeling of control. The steering system has a quick, 15.2:1 ratio, requiring only 2.75 turns lock to lock.

• Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS, including large, 12.6-inch-wide (321 mm) front discs and 12.4-inch-wide (315 mm) solid rear discs. Lightweight, aluminum-body calipers are used at each corner.

• Electronic Brake force Distribution that ensures optimum braking force is applied simultaneously at both axles, for maximum stability under heavy braking; and a Brake Assist System that senses the severity of a braking situation and applies additional braking pressure when needed.