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:

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes in the direction of the turn or lane change. For vehicles with the side blind zone alert system, an arrow in the outside mirror flashes when ...

Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than even the very best braking. ...

Door Locks
WARNING Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Passengers, especially children, can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. The chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash ...