Competition is not exactly fierce in the full-size sedan segment, and that's a shame, because there are a number of really nice cars in this class, including the Buick LaCrosse.
Changes are few for 2019, but include a new Sport Touring trim built around a blacked out grille and a set of trim-specific 19-inch wheels done in grey.
Otherwise, the LaCrosse carries over unchanged, with most cars coming with a 3.6L V6 making 310 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. Front-drive is standard and AWD optional, but both drivetrains use a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, a mild hybrid drivetrain standard in the base model pairs a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a six-speed transmission for 194 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque.
Buick's eAssist can't drive the car on electricity alone. Rather, its there to back up the gas engine's power and add a bit of performance when it's required, and cut fuel consumption in normal driving.
eAssist does have regenerative braking to help charge the battery, a stop/start function that shuts down the gas engine at stoplights to avoid burning fuel unnecessarily and active grille shutters help the car cheat the wind in highway driving.
The eAssist option gives Buick something a little different with which to compete with higher-profile entrants at the entry-level of the luxury sedan market, like the full-hybrid Lexus ES 300h and the no-hybrid Genesis G80. Other LaCrosse competitors include the Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS.
At a stretch, you could make a case for cars like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class being good cars to cross-shop here, those are more fitting targets for the Cadillac CTS, the mid-size model from GM's other upscale division.
This generation of LaCrosse debuted in 2017 with a modern dash dominated by an IntelliLink touchscreen infotainment display that incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and a customizable TFT gauge cluster as standard, and wireless smartphone charging is an option.
Advanced safety features include radar cruise control with pedestrian detection for its automatic braking function, self-parking abilities and lane-keeping assist. Also on the option list is General Motors' excellent vibrating safety seat, a much better way of getting the driver's attention than buzzers and beepers when the car senses something isn't quite right.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
