Used 2019 Buick LaCrosse

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse full-size premium sedan has a particular set of skills that may make people want to hunt it down and buy it. As well as handy gadgetry like Wi-Fi and smartphone integration, traditional elements like space and serenity, and a critically acclaimed interior design, the new LaCrosse (this generation debuted for the 2017 model year) also puts a mild-hybrid setup into its entry-level model. Competition for the general 2019 LaCrosse range includes the Kia Cadenza and Nissan Maxima, plus both the Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES. But the LaCrosse has yet another special skill that gives it an edge over these rivals: all-wheel drive is available (the others are front-drive only). Our main gripe is that while other manufacturers are providing several advanced driver aids as standard, Buick only makes them available in the more expensive trim levels.

Buicks have a reputation for old-school luxury-car attributes like a soft ride and silent cabins. The LaCrosse is definitely quiet, exceptionally so, but the ride quality has evolved to more modern standards. There’s suppleness, sure, yet also an underlying control and composure. The LaCrosse lineup includes a version with 20-inch wheels and an active suspension, but most buyers would do well to stick with 18-inch wheels for superior ride comfort and no real compromise in driving pleasure. The front seats also buck the old Buick formula of cramming in as much cushioning as possible. These are comfortable, but also well-sculpted and supportive. The star of the engine show is the 3.6-liter V6 developing a healthy 310 horsepower.

Welcome to a sanctuary from the madness of the outside world. At least until the Wi-Fi is connected. As the doors close with a substantial thunk, occupants in the Buick LaCrosse are greeted by soft-touch plastics, leather (or simulated leather in the lowest two trims) and wood arranged in an intelligent and elegant fashion with pleasing shapes. The controls are uncomplicated, all set within a tidy layout. The rear seat is wide enough for three, offering ample legroom for adults. The trunk is similarly commodious: 15 cubic feet (with the V6 engine, the mild-hybrid version reduces that to 14.3 cubic feet), which should be enough for at least three sets of golf clubs.

The low and wide stance, understated curves and expertly placed chrome accents make the Buick LaCrosse look exactly how a flagship sedan should. It has a certain authority. The details are also well executed, such as the HID headlights, LED taillights, the simple grille with its stylish wing-like element set against a dark background, and those familiar “portholes.” The whole effect is complemented by alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches.

TEEN DRIVER TECHNOLOGY
Parents of new drivers will appreciate this important safety system, which is standard in every 2019 LaCrosse. It sends updates and alerts about your teen’s behavior behind the wheel, and allows you to set a speed alert and a volume limit for the audio system. It can even disable the Buick’s sound system until the occupants up front buckle their seatbelts.

SAFETY SEAT ALERT
Driving by the seat of one’s pants takes on a new meaning. This safety system, standard in the 2019 LaCrosse Premium and Avenir trims, warns drivers of impending hazards by vibrating the lower seat cushion. It’s even directional. A vibration on the right side means trouble coming from the right, likewise for the left.

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse comes in base, Preferred, Sport Touring, Essence, Premium and Avenir trim levels. The base model starts out with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/ignition, remote start, heated side mirrors, LED daytime running lights/taillights, HID headlights with automatic on/off, active cabin noise cancellation, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, 8-inch touch screen, two USB ports, satellite radio, Wi-Fi, OnStar, and an 8-speaker audio system. One downside is that advanced driver aids like forward-collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring are not standard until the top two trims and optional only in the middle two.

All-wheel drive is available in the top three trims when there’s also the V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission in the picture. A moonroof and power rear sunshade form a package that’s optional from the Sport Touring model up (standard in Avenir trim). Among the other extras are an adaptive suspension, navigation, heated/massaging front seats, heated steering wheel, self-dimming side mirrors, perforated leather upholstery, 11-speaker Bose surround-sound system, larger alloy wheels, and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are optional only in Premium and Avenir trims, as part of a package that also includes automatic parking assistance.

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a 6-speed automatic transmission create a drivetrain that’s standard in the base, Preferred, Essence and Premium models. This mild-hybrid arrangement also captures some energy through braking and coasting. A 3.6-liter V6 coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission is standard in the Sport Touring and Avenir versions, although Sport Touring comes as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant only. All-wheel drive (AWD) is also available in the Essence and Premium trims, as long as the V6/9-speed transmission combination is also selected. The 4-cylinder engine comes solely with the front-drive arrangement.

2.5-liter inline-4 with eAssist
194 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
187 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/35 mpg (FWD)

3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
282 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)