Lacrosse even comes equipped with a cool-sounding technology — eAssist. This technology can be considered a hybrid, as it uses an on-board lithium-ion battery and a motor generator to provide an electric boost of up to 15 HP. It also employs start-stop technology. So, as “green” technology is hip these days, so too, then must be the Lacrosse for employing such technology.
Beyond that, the Lacrosse has everything you still expect from a Buick. A refined, toned-down exterior may lack a certain amount of excitement, but this sedan still gives off the feeling of luxury.
The interior rivals any other luxury brand on the market with leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, leather-wrapped telescoping steering wheel and remote start. That’s why this full-size sedan seems perfectly fit for the young executive as it affords ample leg and headroom, even in the back seats, and yet delivers high-end luxury and engine performance.
The 2.4-liter engine generates 182 horsepower while generating a segment-leading fuel economy. Thanks to the start/stop technology and the eAssist, my tester averaged 33 MPG in a week of mixed driving. Never, under any driving condition, did I want for power with the Lacrosse, nor did I really notice the start/stop technology. Additionally, the handling and ride is quiet and controlled.
The six-speed automatic transmission was quick, reactive and seamless, which was a nice surprise as other hybrid-technology vehicles have slow and clunky shifting. Not so with this Lacrosse.
Cargo space is limited, especially in the trunk where the lithium-ion battery pack is housed. A mere 11.7 cubic feet of space is available in the trunk, which was barely enough room for the weekly groceries.
The starting price for the basic version of the Lacrosse starts at just under $30,000. For the premium model with the eAssist that I drove, the standard price was $32,440 and came to $36,685 with additional packages and destination fee.
So, as Buick works to add some cool to their line, they have achieved one thing, at least with the Lacrosse — creating a more modern, interesting and relevant car for a broader consumer base.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Follow him on Twitter @wheelseditor. Email him at jdinsmore@coxohio.com
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