2011 Buick LaCrosse Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Buick LaCrosse review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 LaCrosse, and includes Buick LaCrosse safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Buick LaCrosse is a full-size sedan, effectively replacing the soon-to-be-discontinued Lucerne in Buick’s lineup. It competes with models such as the Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Avalon.

Buick drops the 3.0-liter V6 engine from last year’s LaCrosse, leaving the underwhelming 2.4-liter four-cylinder to serve as standard equipment for the CX and CXL models, and the powerful 3.6-liter V6 as an option for the CXL and standard on the CXS trim level.

The most affordable version of the Buick LaCrosse wears a CX trim level designation. It comes only with a four-cylinder engine, and includes air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows with express front window operation, power heated side mirrors, a tilt-and-telescopic steering, and a cruise control system. An eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a power height adjustable front passenger’s seat are also standard, and the LaCrosse CX has cloth upholstery. A seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a CD/MP3 player, and an auxiliary audio input jack is installed in the artfully rendered dashboard, and every LaCrosse is equipped with OnStar telematics and a free six month subscription to services, including Automatic Crash Notification. Additional standard features include automatic headlights, floor mats, a compass, a cargo net, Ice Blue ambient cabin lighting, and Buick’s signature QuietTuning sound insulation package.

Aside from its rather anemic four-cylinder engine, the main deterrent to buying a LaCrosse CX is its set of downmarket 17-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers. Otherwise, this is a nicely equipped and affordable Buick, especially when equipped with the Comfort and Convenience Package, which adds Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, dual-zone climate control, an eight-way power front passenger’s seat, a HomeLink universal remote control, and other useful upgrades.

Perhaps that’s one reason so many people upgrade to the LaCrosse CXL model. The CXL has machined-finish 18-inch aluminum wheels, as well as fog lights and side mirrors with LED signal indicators and approach lighting. With these details, this Buick looks much more upscale.

Inside, the CXL feels more upscale, thanks to leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity. Comfort levels rise thanks to a power lumbar support feature for the driver’s seat, as well as an eight-way power front passenger’s seat. The CXL also includes a HomeLink universal remote control, remote vehicle starting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A V6 engine is optional, and when equipped with the more powerful engine, the LaCrosse CXL can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Additionally, Buick offers numerous desirable upgrades through the CXL’s Comfort and Convenience, Luxury, and Entertainment option packages.

At the top of the lineup, the CXS model serves as the most luxurious, and the sportiest, version of the 2011 LaCrosse. This stature is signified by its chrome 18-inch wheels, perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated wood-and-leather steering wheel, passive keyless entry and push-button ignition, power rear window sunshade, and premium Harmon/Kardon surround sound system with a USB port and iPod connection. Additional extras that come standard on the LaCrosse CXS include rear parking assist sensors, memory settings for the driver’s preferences, an easy-exit driver’s seat, and a 120-volt power outlet in the rear seat.

In addition to all these standard features, the LaCrosse CXS gets a standard V6 engine for rousing acceleration, traditional hydraulic steering for improved road feel, and a more sophisticated HiPer Strut suspension for a better mix of ride quality and handling. An optional Touring Package takes driving enjoyment another step further thanks to real-time damping with Normal and Sport modes, and a set of 19-inch wheels and tires.

A direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes 182 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm, and is standard in the LaCrosse CX and CXL. That’s not much considering the LaCrosse’s curb weight starts just south of two tons. A standard six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control drives the LaCrosse’s front wheels, and models equipped with the four-cylinder engine also get electric steering. The EPA says the four-cylinder engine will provide 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

A far more satisfying direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 engine capable of generating 280 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 259 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm is optional on the LaCrosse CXL and standard on the LaCrosse CXS. A six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control is also included with this V6, and this engine can be paired with front- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is rated at 17-city/27-highway with front-wheel drive, and 16-city/26-highway with all-wheel drive.

Six airbags are standard on the 2011 Buick LaCrosse, as well as a traction and stability control system, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. OnStar telematics is also standard, featuring Automatic Crash Notification (ACN). When the LaCrosse’s airbags deploy, ACN activates, putting a live operator in touch with the car’s occupants. Even if nobody inside the car can communicate after a crash, the operator can pinpoint the Buick’s exact location and notify rescue personnel to speed medical assistance.

Depending on the trim level selected, the LaCrosse can be equipped with a reversing camera, rear parking assist sensors, adaptive headlights that swivel to help see around dark corners, and a Side Blind Zone Alert system that helps to detect other vehicles in the Buick’s blind spots and warn the driver if he or she signals a lane change.

In the event that a crash cannot be avoided, you can rest easy knowing that the 4,000-pound LaCrosse is a safe car. In new, more rigorous tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and designed to make it harder to achieve top scores, this Buick receives the best possible overall crash-test score of 5 Stars. Additionally, the NHTSA says the LaCrosse resists rollover at a 4-Star level.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) backs these results up, giving the car its Top Safety Pick rating based on its impressive performance in a battery of IIHS crash tests.

If Buick wants to improve the LaCrosse, we’d suggest focusing on making it dependable. According to Consumer Reports, the LaCrosse is expected to return below average reliability in the long run.

The Buick LaCrosse was designed and engineered in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, making it the first General Motors product to be created on three different continents, according to Buick.

Because General Motors sells more cars in China than it does in the United States, and because Buick is its most popular brand in China, the LaCrosse’s design and packaging is strongly influenced by what Chinese buyers want. They like really big back seats. They don’t care much about golf, or large trunks.

As a result, the LaCrosse’s trunk offers 13.3 cubic-feet of cargo volume in CX and CXL trim, and just 12.8 cu-ft of storage space in the LaCrosse CXS.

In Canada, the LaCrosse is named the Allure.

All LaCrosses that are sold in North America roll off an assembly line in Kansas City.

If Buick improved the LaCrosse’s reliability, Vehix could – and would – recommend this big family sedan, even if cargo volume is surprisingly small. In fact, when it comes to trunk space, some compact cars and most midsize sedans offer more room than this full-size Buick. Unfortunately, the stylish, roomy and comfortable LaCrosse fails to impress its owners in terms of reliability, and, as a result, Consumer Reports expects the car to perform at below average levels in this regard. Therefore, we urge full-size sedan buyers to shop around.

By Christian Wardlaw