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Buick LaCrosse
Review: For years now, automakers have been fighting for a
foothold in China, which will soon become the world's biggest car
market. All the major brands want a piece of the far-east pie because of
how quickly it's growing. And which brand do you think is the most
popular in China
so far? Toyota? Honda? Volkswagen? Believe it or not, the answer is
Buick.
This mid-luxury General Motors brand has become almost an afterthought
here in America, but in China it's the biggest and best brand of all.
China's
burgeoning business leaders are being chauffeured in big Buicks like
they're royalty, apparently enjoying the soft American ride and tasteful
Buick styling. And once you've driven the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, you'll
know exactly why.
The new LaCrosse, which was a joint design effort by GM's engineers in
the United States and China, is a shining example of the brand's
rebirth. It's not only the best product GM has made in years, but also
one of the best products in its class. And that includes Lexus.
The LaCrosse is a great car by any standard. Everything about it seems
like the engineers really, truly cared, from the bold front-end styling
to the feel of buttons and switches on the dash. You don't get the
feeling that this was a car built to meet a certain price target or
appeal to a narrow, sliced-and-diced demographic. It was designed to
tell the world, "Here's what we can do, Enjoy It"
Interestingly, the LaCrosse doesn't try to be a carbon copy of its
Japanese and European competitors. Its ride is classic American, with a
glassy smoothness that lets it waft down the highway in silence. It's
not as boat-like as the old-school Buicks, but it also doesn't try for
the rough, "sporty" feel of a Honda or Audi.
Likewise, its styling doesn't scream, "me too!" It has its own distinct
look: a classy profile with gobs of chrome, wide doors, an aggressive
hood and big wheels. It turns heads for all the right reasons.
Power comes from your choice of V6 engines: a 3.0-liter version that
makes 255 horsepower, or a 3.6-liter that cranks out 280 hp. Both are
tuned for a good combination of efficiency and grunt.
Perhaps where the LaCrosse shines most of all though, is in the cabin,
where the materials, construction and design all combine for a feeling
of absolute luxury. It's not an interior that makes you say, "Oh, this
is nice for GM." Instead, it makes you say, "Wow, this is niiiiiice!"
It's all the little things that add up to a great experience. The dash,
with its sweeping curves and supple materials, makes you want to run
your hand across it. A gentle light strip is positioned just below the
windshield to emit a soft blue glow at night, perfectly matching the
blue in the lighted instrument panel. All the bits and pieces fit
exactly like they should.
If
there were a downside to this car, it would have to be a lack of storage
space. While the storage bins it has, in the center armrest, for
example, are smartly executed, it doesn't have the deep, roomy
cubbyholes many buyers have come to expect in a full-size car. That's
getting awfully picky though, and it's missing the point of a
world-class vehicle.
Pricing starts at $27,085 and ranges up to $33,015 for the LaCrosse CXS
with its bigger V6 engine. Considering a tiny BMW 1-Series starts around
the same level, and the Buick offers a whole lot more space and comfort
than the Bimmer, it's no wonder the Chinese seem so enamored with this
American brand.
What was tested?
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS with a base price of $33,015. Options on the
test car: none. The total MSRP price as tested is $33,015.
Why avoid it?
Storage space in the cabin is limited.
Why buy it?
It's a great all-around car, from its classy interior to its traditional
American comfort. It has a soft ride and good-looking body, and best of
all, it's as refined as anything today from
Europe or Japan.
By Derek Price ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
The Bottom Line:
This New Buick has
world-class refinement, top style, luxury and quality, as the all-new
2010 Buick LaCrosse shows how far General Motors has come in a short
period of time. The new LaCrosse's impressive cabin has soft materials
and excellent construction. The tasteful interior design mirrors the
car's sophisticated feel and this classy, comfortable, high-quality car
can compete with the best from
Europe and Japan.
This is why Buick is here to stay.
Bottom Line
Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy”
is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay
Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to
TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit
www.autowire.net
Buick Home Page
Column Name: New Buick has World-Class refinement
Topic: The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS
Word Count: 862
Photo Caption: The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS
Photo Credits: Buick LaCrosse Internet Media
Series #: 2009 - 68
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2010 Buick LaCrosse
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2010 Buick LaCrosse
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