What’s New?
The LaCrosse made its debut in 2005, so there are only minor updates for 2007. A significant new addition is a tire-pressure-monitoring system, now standard on all trim levels. There’s a new Harvest Burl interior wood trim choice, and vehicles equipped with cloth upholstery can now enjoy available heated driver and passenger seats. There’s also new gray or neutral cloth seat fabric on the CX trim, while the CXS gets two new 17-inch wheel designs. CXL models offer a 17-inch, 10-spoke Chrometech flangeless wheel option. New exterior colors include Midnight Blue Metallic, Stone Gray Metallic, Midnight Amethyst Metallic, and Red Jewel Tintcoat.

Overview
The Buick brand continues to move forward with only two sedans, one of which is the LaCrosse. The midsize sedan comes in three trim levels: CX, CXS, and CXL. The first two employ a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 200 hp and 230 lb.-ft. of torque. The high-end CXL gets a smaller-displacement 3.6-liter engine but features Variable Valve Technology, which gives it a boost in output to 240 hp and 225 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are matched to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The LaCrosse is one of the few remaining car models that offers bench or bucket front seats for 5- or 6-passenger seating. While the CXL leans toward luxury, the CXS goes for the sportier feel, with larger stabilizer bars and a suspension tuned for firmer ride and handling.

Because Buick is considered a premium GM brand there are a lot of features that are standard across the lineup, such as remote keyless entry, a power driver’s seat, automatic programmable power door locks with lockout protection, power windows with an express-down driver’s window, a 6-speaker stereo with CD player, and full interior illumination with delayed entry/exit lighting and theater-style dimming. The CXL goes one step further with variable-assist power steering, which delivers more boost when needed in parking situations, but tightens up at highway speeds for improved road feel. All three LaCrosse models get Buick’s Quiet Tuning technology, which includes sound-deadening materials like coated steel panels, laminated glass, dampeners, and baffles, which adds to the LaCrosse’s overall feeling of high-end luxury at an affordable price. Standard safety features include dual front and side curtain airbags, daytime running lamps, and GM’s OnStar in-vehicle safety and communications technology.

The Competition
The Buick LaCrosse competes in the Midsize Conventional segment, which consists of 18 models. Buyers in this segment look for reliability, fuel economy, and performance, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Toyota Camry (397,630 units sold), Honda Accord (354,441), and Nissan Altima (232,457). The Buick LaCrosse sold 71,072 units in 2006, a decrease of 23.3 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Conventional segment include the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, and Subaru Legacy. Joining the segment in 2007 is the Saturn Aura.