2010 LaCrosse could be a great prescription for GM

• By STEVE WHEELER
• Advocate Wheels editor
• Published: Oct 9, 2009

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The first car introduced by General Motors since the company emerged from bankruptcy is the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.

And Buick came out swinging, promoting the LaCrosse as “America’s Lexus Fighter.” 

I only had about 30 minutes to test drive the LaCrosse during media day at the Texas State Fair last week, but my first quick impression is, “Dang.” They should have introduced this car years ago. If any car can help the company overcome bankruptcy, government bailouts and financial woes it might be this one.

To be sure, GM has some significant public relations problems. And the problems are such that only worthy products are going to help.

The key, it seems, is for the company to convince people to get into the cars, start the engines and test drive them. Toward that end, GM recently announced a 60-day money back guarantee: buy any new Chevy, Buick, Cadillac or GMC and drive it for 60 days, and if you don’t like it, return it with no questions asked.

Sure, it’s a gamble, and it probably wouldn’t have worked five years ago. But it might work today. GM hopes the new LaCrosse will build on the success of the popular Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia SUVs.

LaCrosse competes as a mid-size luxury sedan and is offered in three models: CX, CXL and CXS. The CX starts at $27,835, the CXL starts at $30,395, and the CXS is $33,765. An AWD CXL is $32,570.

The CX and CXL are powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 255 horsepower and 217 lb.-ft. of torque, and the sport model has a 3.6-liter engine that cranks out 25 more horses and 42 more lb.-ft. of torque.

The engines are good, but the car’s ride, handling and technology are the real selling features. Thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning engineering process, the LaCrosse is quieter than the movie theater got when Old Yeller died. 

And with digital connectivity, navigation, a rear seat DVD system, heads up display, adaptive headlights, blind spot alert, a rearview camera, remote start and a power rear shade, the LaCrosse has lots of the personal luxury technologies expected today.

The interior is world class, with a dual cockpit design that surrounds occupants with luxury. Real wood and leather combine with contrasting stitches on the instrument panel to make a sophisticated interior environment.

With a standard suite of safety features, the 2010 LaCrosse earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award.

It has not yet been safety tested by the government.