2013 Buick LaCrosse Preview

Introduction

The Buick LaCrosse is a 4-door family sedan with an extensive list of luxury features. It's available in five trim levels (Base, Leather, Premium I, Premium II, and Touring), with either a 4-cylinder gasoline engine with hybrid assist (eAssist), or a V-6 engine. Among the LaCrosse's main competitors are the Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300, and Acura TL. The features of the various trim levels have been slightly revised for 2013, but otherwise the LaCrosse is little changed from the previous year.

Exterior Features

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse is available in six standard and three premium colors. The base model features 17-inch alloy wheels. Upgrading to Leather trim includes the addition of fog lamps. The Premium 1 trim steps up to 18-inch wheels and includes keyless ignition, while the Premium II trim includes chrome wheels and a sportier suspension. The Touring model features 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, and an adaptive suspension.

Interior Features

The base 2013 LaCrosse features beige cloth upholstery on its 8-way power driver's seat, front passenger seat, and split-folding rear seats. Standard are full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming mirror, cruise control, OnStar, Bluetooth, 7-speaker sound system with iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The Leather package includes beige or black leather upholstery, heated mirrors, and power adjustments for the passenger seat. The Premium I trim upgrades the upholstery to perforated leather, and adds heat and ventilation to the front seats; the trim also includes a heated steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather and a power rear sunshade. Premium II trim includes an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a 120-volt power outlet. The Touring model includes digital music storage and a navigation system. The LaCrosse offers 13.3 cubic feet of trunk space with the V-6 engine, or 10.8 cubic feet with the battery-assisted 4-cylinder engine.

Optional Features

A sunroof is optional on the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, as are a rear flush-mount spoiler and a 2-screen rear seat entertainment system. Many of the features included in the upper trim levels are available as individual options or packages on the lower trims.

Under the Hood

Two engines are available with the 2013 LaCrosse. The Base and Leather trims feature a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that's assisted by an electric motor and a Lithium-ion battery pack for added fuel efficiency. This power plant produces 182 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque. Optional on the lower trims and standard on the upper trims is a conventional 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 303 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine; front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with both, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available with the V-6.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2013 Buick LaCrosse with the 4-cylinder semi-hybrid power plant are 25 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg in combined driving. The V-6 engine returns 17/27/21 mpg with FWD, and 17/25/20 with AWD.

Safety

Standard safety features on the 2013 LaCrosse include anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side-impact air bags, and side curtain air bags. Rear park assist and a rearview camera are added to the Leather trim, while the Touring model has a blind-spot warning system and a head-up display. Rear-seat side-impact air bags and a blind-spot warning system are optional. In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2013 LaCrosse received a rating of 5 (out of 5) stars for front- and side-impact protection. From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2013 LaCrosse received a rating of "Good"--the Institute's highest--in frontal offset and side-impact tests.

Technology

Buick's semi-hybrid eAssist system boosts the fuel economy of its 4-cylinder engine, allowing it to shut off at stops while a battery keeps the vehicle running. However, the LaCrosse doesn't drive exclusively on battery power.