The Auto Writer

Priced from $27,835, the all new 2010 Buick LaCrosse is a vast style and engineering improvement over the previous generation model, a sedan which will help to advance the image of Buick in North America and beyond.

Buick is one brand that General Motors believes will help ensure its success for the long haul. Although Chevrolet outsells all other GM brands in the US combined, Buick easily outsells Chevrolet in China which is now GM’s second largest (and fastest growing) market.

A Renaissance In The Making?

Here in North America, Buick is on the verge of getting several new models including an all new LaCrosse sedan which will debut later this summer in Buick showrooms mid to late June as a 2010 model. This particular car is already on sale in China where it is sold alongside the Enclave, Park Avenue, Regal, Excelle and the GL8, the latter based upon the unsuccessful Buick Terrazza minivan sold here from 2005 to 2007.

Clearly, the LaCrosse’s exterior design pushes the sedan upmarket somewhat, with the $27,835 base price ($1500 higher than the 2009 model) for the entry level CX model complementing that move. Though I haven’t gotten the opportunity to drive the newest LaCrosse yet, I’ve seen it on display at car shows and believe that it’ll appeal to Lexus ES owners.

Improved Engine and Transmission Pairing

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be powered by GM’s new 3.0L direct injection V-6 engine and is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. This pairing will be a vast improvement over the current 3.8L V-6 and four-speed automatic transmission, a set up that yielded only 200 horsepower compared to the 255 horsepower for the new configuration. My best guess is that the all new LaCrosse could achieve about 30 mpg on the highway when EPA figures are tabulated this summer, a remarkable feat for a car of its class.

In addition to the base CX, the LaCrosse will feature three other trim levels: CXL FWD ($30,395) , CXL AWD ($32,570) and the top of the line CXS ($33,765). Yes, an all wheel drive version of the LaCrosse will be available, pitting the LaCrosse against base European sedans which offer this feature. While a V8 will no longer be offered with this model, the CXS will inherit the Cadillac CTS engine which pushes horsepower up to 280.

Incidentally, this car will be equipped with all of the usual luxury goodies including leather heated and cooled seats and chrome plated 18-inch wheels pricing it just a few thousand dollars under the base Cadillac CTS, possibly putting the front wheel drive LaCrosse in competition with the rear wheel drive CTS.

Nah, I don’t think so — these are two different kinds of cars.

Generous List of Standard Items

Perhaps the most noticeable difference for the all new LaCrosse besides its huge styling improvement inside and out, is the list of items now standard. These include: European-designed chassis and suspension systems; real-time damping suspension system; high-intensity discharge headlamps with adaptive forward lighting; side blind zone alert; Bluetooth phone connectivity; rear-seat DVD entertainment system; and six standard air bags, including roof-mounted head curtain side air bags.

Production on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse will begin early this summer at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas. The LaCrosse will continue to be sold as the Allure in Canada.

Source: GM Corp.

Related Reading: Luscious LaCrosse Leaves Lexus Lurching