LA 2015: 2017 Buick LaCrosse Is A Plus-sized Sedan Minus A Waterfall

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Buick finally gave us a look at the sedan we’ve been waiting on. General Motors unveiled the 2017 Buick LaCrosse at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Tuesday and detailed the mid-size sedan based on the Avenir concept unleashed last year.

While the final product retains many of the features seen on the Avenir — including Buick’s new face — the Lacrosse sports a decidedly un-bulbous rear end and a new colorized tri-sheild Buick badge. It has color again!

Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 305 horsepower and an 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers some miles per gallon — Buick didn’t say.

Buick added a five-link suspension in the rear and available all-wheel drive if you’re the sporting type on the way to the golf course. (Of course, the stuffed shirts at Buick pointed out that the LaCrosse can hold up to four golf bags.)

The new LaCrosse went on some kind of diet from the current version: the overall weight of the car is down 300 pounds — assuming you didn’t eat a heavy lunch — even with the 18-inch wheels as standard. According to the car’s official specs, 20-inch wheels will be available.

Inside, Buick’s new 8-speed gives way to an updated center armrest, but there’s certainly an awkward space above the transmission and below the climate controls. An 8.8-inch touchscreen will be forced into the LaCrosse’s dash, outlined by sweet, sweet chrome accents.

The car goes on sale next summer, but no price was announced.








Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

More by Aaron Cole

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 71 comments
  • ToolGuy 9 miles a day for 20 years. You didn't drive it, why should I? 😉
  • Brian Uchida Laguna Seca, corkscrew, (drying track off in rental car prior to Superbike test session), at speed - turn 9 big Willow Springs racing a motorcycle,- at greater speed (but riding shotgun) - The Carrousel at Sears Point in a 1981 PA9 Osella 2 litre FIA racer with Eddie Lawson at the wheel! (apologies for not being brief!)
  • Mister It wasn't helped any by the horrible fuel economy for what it was... something like 22mpg city, iirc.
  • Lorenzo I shop for all-season tires that have good wet and dry pavement grip and use them year-round. Nothing works on black ice, and I stopped driving in snow long ago - I'll wait until the streets and highways are plowed, when all-seasons are good enough. After all, I don't live in Canada or deep in the snow zone.
  • FormerFF I’m in Atlanta. The summers go on in April and come off in October. I have a Cayman that stays on summer tires year round and gets driven on winter days when the temperature gets above 45 F and it’s dry, which is usually at least once a week.
Next