One could argue that Buick should have changed the name of this car, considering how completely different it is from its predecessor. In fact, in Canada, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is known as the Allure, because “LaCrosse” has a negative connotation in that country. Indeed, this new Buick is alluring, deftly straddling the line of demarcation between family and luxury sedans, in much the same way that the new Ford Taurus does today and the Toyota Avalon has for years.

Highlights of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse include:

• Completely redesigned for 2010
• Choice between three powertrains
• CX, CXL, and CXS trim levels
• Available all-wheel-drive system
• Available remote engine starting
• Available navigation system with real-time traffic and weather reports
• Available Bluetooth hands-free connectivity
• Available premium harmon/kardon audio system
• Available USB port and auxiliary audio input jack
• Available dual-screen rear seat entertainment system
• Available power rear window shade
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Available head-up instrument display
• Available reversing camera
• Available adaptive forward lighting system
• Available heated and cooled front seats
• Available heated steering wheel
• Available real-time damping suspension
• Available side blind zone alert system

Model Lineup

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is available in CX, CXL, and CXS trim levels. The CXL model is the only one offered with optional all-wheel drive. Standard equipment on the CX includes the usual midsize sedan equipment such as power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, and 17-inch wheels with plastic wheel covers. The CX also has a tilt and telescopic steering column, an 8-way power driver’s seat, satellite radio with a free 90-day trial subscription, and an OnStar communications system.

Stepping up to the mid-level LaCrosse CXL adds features such as a V-6 engine, magnetic variable effort steering, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and outside mirrors equipped with LED signal lighting and puddle lamps. Inside, there’s leather upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way power front passenger’s seat, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a Homelink universal remote.

The top trim is the CXS, and it comes with a larger, more powerful V-6 engine, lower profile tires, chrome 18-inch alloy wheels, and a real-time active damping suspension system. The CXS model also has perforated leather, heated and cooled front seats, an Ultrasonic rear parking assist system, a premium harmon/kardon audio system, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and side mirrors.

Optional features are dependent on the trim level selected. Most LaCrosse CX models are likely to be equipped with the available 17-inch alloy wheels and the Comfort and Convenience Package, which adds Bluetooth, Homelink, remote engine starting, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power front passenger’s seat, and power lumbar support for the driver. The CX can also be equipped with the premium harmon/kardon sound system and USB port. Equipped with all of these features, the sticker price remains below $30,000.

Most people are likely to choose the more upscale CXL model. Option packages include a Comfort and Convenience selection with rear parking assist, seat and mirror memory, and heated auto-dimming outside mirrors. A Luxury Package adds a heated steering wheel with woodgrain trim, perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power rear sunshade, and keyless entry and ignition. Additional options include all-wheel drive, harmon/kardon audio, a rear seat entertainment system, a navigation system, a head-up display for the windshield, Xenon headlights, a power panoramic sunroof, and chrome wheels. The CXL can also be outfitted with numerous dealer-installed features.

The top-level CXS is offered with a Touring Package which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, and a sport mode for the continuously variable damping suspension. The CXS can also be equipped with the power panoramic sunroof, Xenon headlights, navigation system, rear entertainment system, and head-up display for the windshield. Equipped with every factory option, the LaCrosse CXS squeaks in at less than $40,000.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is equipped with one of three engines. The CX model comes standard with a V-6 engine until the middle of the model year, when a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder will become the standard engine. Horsepower and torque figures for the LaCrosse’s four-cylinder have not been finalized, but this engine makes 169 horsepower in the Chevrolet Malibu and 182 horsepower in the Chevrolet Equinox.

Today’s standard engine for the CX and CXL trim levels is a direct-injected, 3.0-liter V-6 engine making 255 horsepower at 6,900 rpm (252 with all-wheel drive) and 217 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,100 rpm (215 with all-wheel drive). The LaCrosse CXS is powered by a direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 making 280 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 259 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature is paired with each V-6 engine, and all engines are designed to operate on regular unleaded fuel.

According to the EPA, the 3.0-liter V-6 is rated to return 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway (16 city/25 highway with AWD) while the 3.6-liter is rated to deliver 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Our review vehicle, a LaCrosse CXS with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine, averaged 19.7 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the LaCrosse’s standard 18.4-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 360-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on every 2010 Buick LaCrosse includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags. Buick’s StabiliTrak stability and traction control system is also standard, and the braking system is a four-wheel-disc antilock setup with brake assist. Notably, the brake pedal assembly is designed to collapse in an accident to reduce lower leg injuries for the driver.

The LaCrosse is also equipped with Automatic Crash Response, a feature of its standard OnStar telematics system (a free one-year subscription to OnStar services is included, but requires a monthly fee after the first year of ownership). With Automatic Crash Response, an OnStar advisor contacts the vehicle in the event of a severe collision. The advisor can communicate with vehicle occupants, summon emergency help to the scene, and pinpoint the vehicle’s exact location as well as determine how bad the accident might be. Other interesting OnStar features include remote door unlocking, roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostic reports, and stolen vehicle tracking.

Safety options on the LaCrosse, depending on model selected, include Ultrasonic rear parking assist, a reversing camera, and an adaptive front lighting system that helps the driver see around dark curves at night. Later in the year, the LaCrosse will be available with a side blind zone alert system.

The Competition

JDPower.com says the 2010 Buick LaCrosse competes against other midsize cars such as the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mercury Milan, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Passat.

Compare midsize cars

Note: This review was published on November 10, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.