2011 Buick LaCrosse Review

Buick's goals with each new car seem the same: Get less stodgy and attract younger buyers. The redesigned LaCrosse's insipid TV ads may not help the cause, but the car they feature should. The LaCrosse is comfortable, luxurious and easily the best-looking Buick since the Clinton administration. More important, Buick didn't turn it into a sport sedan — something no one ever asked of the brand, and a temptation I'm glad GM didn't give in to.

So did the General accomplish its mission? I'd like to think so. I'm in my 20s, and I want one.

Trim levels for the LaCrosse include the base CX, CXL and more-powerful CXS. All-wheel drive is optional on the CXL. With this redesign, the LaCrosse moves to a new platform from last year's Chevrolet Impala-based model. I test-drove all three trim levels of the 2010 version; you can compare it to the 2009 version here.

See also:

Reclining Seatbacks
WARNING You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver seat while the vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving. WARNING If either se ...

Windows
The power window switches are located on the driver door. Each passenger door has a switch that controls only that window. Press the switch to lower the window. Pull the front of the switch up to r ...

Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the vehicle is started, this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind front passengers to fasten their safety belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled. For more ...