When Buick->ke17 introduced the 2015 Buick Avenir concept at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show->ke222, most enthusiasts, including some of us here at Top Speed, began fantasizing about a flagship sedan->ke142 (the Electra and Park Avenue come to mind) that would finally give the brand a weapon for the luxury market. On the other hand, we knew there was a big chance the Avenir would remain just a concept->ke169 and Buick's latest announcement about the next-generation LaCrosse->ke1790 confirms just that.

There is some good news though. The 2017 LaCrosse, which made its public debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211, sports design cues inspired by the Avenir concept. The front fascia borrows heavily from the concept car and the company said it's a face all Buick vehicles will adopt by 2018. This doesn't necessarily mean that Buick isn't pondering a full-size->ke4304 sedan, but even if not, the new design language should be exciting.

“The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same. Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick.

Updated 11/18/2015: Buick unveiled the 2017 LaCrosse at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Buick LaCrosse.

buick-lacrosse

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: buick-lacrosse
Pros
Cons

2017 Buick LaCrosse

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 305 @ 6800
  • Torque: 268 @ 5200
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The first thing that catches the eye when looking at the new LaCrosse is that it sports the Avenir’s gorgeous front grille. A sleeker and sportier reinterpretation of Buick’s waterfall grille, the new piece changes the sedan’s appearance dramatically. At first sight it is identical to the Avenir’s, but the LaCrosse’s grille is actually a bit different.

The horizontal trim sits a tad lower, while the rim is thicker above the emblem. The V-shaped bottom is smoother, while the extremities are sharper. There’s also a new Buick tri-shield. While the previous model had monochrome shields, on the new car they’re painted red, silver and blue. Buick used a similar design in the 1960s and 1980s.

The sedan also gained a new sculpted hood, as well as a pair of new headlamps that look pretty similar to the Avenir’s. They're actually slimmer and longer, giving the new LaCrosse a more aggressive appearance. Down below, there's a revised bumper with a wide but slim air intake with a chrome strip running from one side to the other.

The rear fascia is a significant departure from the previous model, boasting a more refined and modern look. The rear deck is longer and the trunk lid sports a cleaner design devoid of the previous model's thick chrome trim. The chrome inserts, however, were retained around the taillights, which are smaller and extend into the trunk lid.

Because the wheelbase has been stretched by 2.7 inches and the front wheels pulled forward, the sedan gained a new profile that makes it look longer and sleeker (despite being only 0.6 inch longer than its predecessor). The roofline sits 1.6 inches lower, contributing to a sportier appearance.

HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, active grille shutters, and 18-inch wheels are standard. Larger, 20-inch rims are available as an option.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm)

114.4 / 2905

Overall length (in / mm)

197.5 / 5017

Overall width (in / mm)

73.2 / 1859

Overall height (in / mm)

57.5 / 1460

Track (in / mm)

front: 62.9 / 1599
rear: 63.1 / 1602


Interior

The LaCrosse also received a redesigned interior, with certain features inspired by the Avenir's cabin. The wrap-around dashboard is more stylish and feels luxurious thanks to a combination of horizontal and curvy lines, the big chuck of wood on the passenger side, and fine chrome trim. Arguably the most impressive feature is the "floating" center console, which is mostly covered in wood and leather. The console is wide and tall, similar to those seen in much bigger sedans.

With the redesigned dashboard also comes a new center stack. The area mimics that of the Avenir, but while the concept had a larger screen fitted into the trapezoidal chrome frame, the LaCrosse has both the touchscreen and a pair of A/C vents mounted inside the same element. Various buttons and knobs fill the space between the screen and the shifter, but the area is less cluttered compared to the previous model.

The new cabin also sports more attention to detail and includes softer materials on nearly every surface. Depending on the trim level, the LaCrosse comes with French stitching on the seats and instrument panel, aluminum sill plates, and wood trim. There are three "fashion-inspired" interior trim choices -- Jet Black, Dark Atmosphere and Shale, and Jet Black and Brandy. Features that are new or updated from the previous sedan include Moon White ambient lighting, eight-way-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats and a new massage feature, perforated leather-appointed seats, heated steering wheel with power tilting/telescoping steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, power rear sunshade, and a premium Bose audio system.

Buick also improved the sedan's roominess and storage space. Legroom has increased in the rear, while access to the rear seats are easier due to the new doors that open wider. The trunk offers about seven percent more storage space than the current model, and was configured to accommodate four golf bags.

Tech-wise, the LaCrosse is packed with communication and convenience features. The latest edition of Buick's IntelliLink is displayed on a new eight-inch touchscreen, which was designed to display phone features users would want while driving. This can be done via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The features allow drivers to select smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface and many of them can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel.

The 2017 LaCrosse also features a more quiet cabin thanks to standard Active Noise Cancellation and other updates. The sedan received new acoustic wheelhouse liners, acoustic-laminated windshield and front side windows, triple-sealed doors, and improved body noise-path sealing. Additionally, the Windshield wipers sit below the hood line to reduce wind noise.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the new LaCrosse hides a 3.6-liter V-6. Although it's similar to last year's engine in terms of displacement and cylinder configuration, the unit is actually new and comes from the Cadillac XT5 crossover. The V-6 cranks out 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque, which makes it only one horsepower and just four pound-feet more powerful than its predecessor.

There's no need to be disappointed though, as the new LaCrosse is no fewer than 300 pounds lighter than the previous model, while it also benefits from a 15-percent increase in torsional rigidity. As a result, the new sedan should be quicker and boast significantly better fuel economy. There aren't any official figures yet, but I'll be back as soon as Buick spills the beans.

Paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 uses direct injection and dual overhead cams, and incorporates Active Fuel Management (Buick talk for cylinder deactivation) and stop/start technology.

Buick no longer offers a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder option.

Front-wheel-drive is standard, but customers can select AWD from the options list, as well as Continuous Damping Control, which replaces the standard MacPherson struts with a HiPer strut front suspension. The rear axle rides on a classic five-link suspension regardless of the drive system.

Other enhancements include a rack-mounted, electronic power steering system with Lead-Pull Compensation, shear-type suspension mounts for greater ride, and low-drag disc brakes with Duralife rotors.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

3.6L V-6 DI VVT

Displacement (cu in / cc)

223 / 3649

Bore & stroke (in / mm)

3.74 x 3.37 / 95 x 85.8

Block material

cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners

Cylinder head material

cast aluminum

Valve train

DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing; Active Fuel Management

Fuel delivery

direct high-pressure fuel injection

Compression ratio

11.5:1

Horsepower

305 HP @ 6,800 RPM (est.)

Torque

268 LB-FT @ 5,200 RPM (est.)

Transmission

eight-speed, electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch


Safety

The 2017 LaCrosse comes with ten standard airbags, including two knee airbags for front passengers. Active safety features include Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. The sedan is also equipped with Automatic Park Assist, which helps the driver parallel park/perpendicular park by automatically steering the vehicle into a parking space, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Rear Vision Camera.

Prices

Pricing for the 2017 model year LaCrosse is not yet available, but the redesigned sedan shouldn’t be a lot more expensive than the current model. The current LaCrosse retails from $31,990 in 1SV Group trim, which uses the 3.6-liter V-6. Next in line is the Group trim with the 2.4-liter engine with eAssist, from $34,560. The range-topping Leather Group model fetches at least $36,650. All three models are front-wheel drive. For AWD, you can choose between the $39,655 Leather Group and the $41,425 Premium I Group trims.

Expect the new LaCrosse to start from around $33,500 with RWD and from about $41,000 with AWD.

Competition

2017 Lincoln MKZ

Much like Buick, Lincoln is also struggling to regain its past glory and has yet to make a big impact in the premium/luxury market. That could change soon, as the sedan just got a significant overhaul for the 2017 model year, just in time for the new LaCrosse. Built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion (Mondeo), the MKZ was redesigned for the 2013 model and since then it has gained more popularity among U.S. buyers, selling more than 30,000 units per year (2014 was the fourth consecutive year with more than 20 percent gains). Updated for 2017 with styling cues borrowed from the Continental concept, the MKZ is available with three engines. There’s a 2.0-liter four-pot rated at 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet and a 3.7-liter V-6 that generates 300 horses and 277 pound-feet. Unlike the LaCrosse, the MKZ can also be had with a hybrid drivetrain combining a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor. New for 2017 though, is 3.0-liter V-6 that delivers 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet, a huge output gain over the previous model.

Find out more about the Lincoln MKZ here.

2015-2016 Acura TLX

Launched for the 2015 model year to replace both the 2014 Acura TL and 2014 Acura TSX, Acura's->ke10 mid-size sedan makes use of the brand's updated styling language and has a more premium interior. Motivation is provided by either a 2.4-liter inline-four churning 209 horsepower and 182 pound-feet, or a 3.5-liter V-6 generating 290 horses and 267 pound-feet of twist. The four-banger mates to an eight-speed dual-clutch, while the V-6 uses a nine-speed automatic. The TLX retails from $31,695 with the 2.4-liter and from $35,320 with the 3.5-liter V-6. The range-topping 3.5 SH-AWD with Advance Package model fetches at least $44,800.

Read more about the Acura TLX here.

Conclusion

Though the previous LaCrosse was a pretty good entry-luxury vehicle to have, Buick was in desperate need of a range-topping sedan that not only had to look better, but needed a more exciting interior and a better ride too. The 2017 LaCrosse seems to have everything it takes to fix just that, but with Lincoln having updated the MKZ too, it remains to be seen which is the better option. Judging by drivetrain options alone, the MKZ offers more choices, but the LaCrosse is definitely the one with the nicer interior. The LaCrosse's significant makeover also ditched the dull design of the second-generation car, and, if you ask me, Buick's redesing seems more original than Lincoln's, which is better balanced, but lacks the drama.

If I were on the market for a mid-size premium car that's not as expensive as an Audi, I'd definitely go with the LaCrosse, at least from a design standpoint. But my advice is that you wait for further details, such as fuel economy and pricing, to surface before you make your choice.

Updated History

Updated 11/12/2015: Buick dropped two new teaser video for the upcoming 2017 LaCrosse - revealing small details of the exterior and the interior. The model will be officially unveiled on November 18 at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.