Used 2015 Buick LaCrosse

Buick wants to appeal to younger buyers, and the 2015 LaCrosse sedan is at the forefront of that effort. It’s handsome without being in-your-face about its styling, and it comes very well equipped even in base models. On the road, it’s comfortable and quiet, with a pair of refined drivetrains to choose from: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with GM’s "eAssist" mild-hybrid system, or a 304-horsepower V6. Conservatively handsome, well equipped, capable, quiet, comfortable, and refined, the LaCrosse presents well as a thoroughly credible alternative to import brands like the new Hyundai Genesis and Acura TLX sedans. You can even add the traction enhancements of all-wheel drive. This year, the Buick LaCrosse expands its technology portfolio as well, with 4G LTE and a wireless hotspot.

The 2015 Buick LaCrosse eAssist light-hybrid boosts fuel economy and performance, but never operates in a fully electric capacity like a Lexus ES 300 hybrid. However, eAssist’s benefits are real, and the system is virtually transparent in its operation. The 15-hp electric motor helps the 182-hp 4-cylinder gasoline engine during acceleration, and when slowing, the motor becomes a generator to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack. The gasoline engine also shuts down at stop signs, but restarts are devoid of the shudder found in many stop-start systems in non-hybrid cars. Whether you choose the eAssist or V6, the LaCrosse boasts competent handling, a smooth ride and strong brakes. It’s no sports sedan – the steering is particularly numb, for example – but for long distance cruising, the quiet cabin, excellent audio and comfortable highway ride are ideal. In town, hill-assist prevents rollback on uphill launches, handy in places like San Francisco.

Last year, the Buick LaCrosse was on the receiving end of a host of updates improving the appearance and function of the interior. Thankfully, nothing has changed here, and the 2015 Buick LaCrosse remains a comfortable, cathedral-quiet and roomy sedan for driver and passengers. The multi-adjustable front seats are comfortable for short hops or long hauls, and are covered in leather in all trims but the most basic. The rear seat offers plentiful headroom and legroom, and if you fill the massive trunk, you’ve overpacked. The the 4-cylinder model’s eAssist battery pack compromises cargo space, but not too badly.

The Buick LaCrosse also got an exterior refresh last year, with the focus on giving it more road presence. We’d say, mission accomplished. The sculpted hood, larger grille, and redesigned headlights give this big sedan a purposeful and expensive look. The same goes for the rear end, which also got refreshed last year. Other highlights include active shutters on the lower grille, to help aid aerodynamics at speed. There are also optional articulating bi-xenon HID lights, designed to help you see around corners on dark roads.

WI-FI HOTSPOT
You’re on a road trip, yet the two kids in the back seat aren’t fighting. Why? One’s watching a streaming Netflix movie on his iPad, while the other is video-chatting with her friends over FaceTime. Thanks to the 2015 Buick LaCrosse’s built-in 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot, it’s no fantasy.

HEAD-UP DISPLAY
The head-up display on the 2015 LaCrosse sedan is one of the best we’ve seen. It displays speed, navigation instructions, audio status (including song titles) and other key information in your line of sight, seemingly out there over the hood, with easily adjusted brightness and vertical position.

In addition to the aforementioned 4G LTE and Wi-Fi, all 2015 Buick LaCrosse models get a standard rearview-camera system. That adds to an already lengthy list of standard features, including a full-color driver information center, OnStar (with a 6-month subscription), SiriusXM Radio (3-month trial), a manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and both Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Standard safety features include traction and stability control, brake assist and six airbags.

There is a caveat to that built-in Wi-Fi business. It’s free, but only for the first three months. After that, you’ll have to pay for the service as an add-on to GM’s OnStar telematics system. Other options for the LaCrosse abound, including bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge adaptive headlights, Side Blind Zone Alert, a (terrific) head-up display, and heated and ventilated perforated leather-covered seats. There’s also navigation, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a power rear sunshade, and a 10-volt power outlet for charging phones or computers. A new Ultra Luxury package adds premium perforated leather seating in a coffee-hued design tone.

You can get your 2015 Buick LaCrosse with one of two powerplants. First is the eAssist powertrain, a 4-cylinder engine plus a small electric motor/generator to provide both a power boost and regenerative braking. It’s standard on base and Leather models. The 304-hp 3.6-liter Flex-Fuel-capable V6 is available at no extra cost on those models, and it is the only engine available on Premium I and Premium II models. If you get the V6, you can also get all-wheel drive on Leather and Premium I models. All 2015 Buick LaCrosse sedans use GM’s latest 6-speed automatic transmissions. The V6 provides more power for passing and acceleration, but the eAssist is more interesting technologically, and gets better fuel economy.

2.4-liter 4-cylinder (with eAssist)
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/36 mpg

3.6-liter V6 (Flex-Fuel E85-capable)
304 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
264 lb-ft of torque @ 5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg (front-wheel drive), 17/26 (all-wheel drive), 14/20 mpg (E85)