Buick finally gave us a look at the sedan we’ve been waiting on. General Motors unveiled the 2017 Buick LaCrosse at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Tuesday and detailed the mid-size sedan based on the Avenir concept unleashed last year.
While the final product retains many of the features seen on the Avenir — including Buick’s new face — the Lacrosse sports a decidedly un-bulbous rear end and a new colorized tri-sheild Buick badge. It has color again!
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 305 horsepower and an 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers some miles per gallon — Buick didn’t say.
Buick added a five-link suspension in the rear and available all-wheel drive if you’re the sporting type on the way to the golf course. (Of course, the stuffed shirts at Buick pointed out that the LaCrosse can hold up to four golf bags.)
The new LaCrosse went on some kind of diet from the current version: the overall weight of the car is down 300 pounds — assuming you didn’t eat a heavy lunch — even with the 18-inch wheels as standard. According to the car’s official specs, 20-inch wheels will be available.
Inside, Buick’s new 8-speed gives way to an updated center armrest, but there’s certainly an awkward space above the transmission and below the climate controls. An 8.8-inch touchscreen will be forced into the LaCrosse’s dash, outlined by sweet, sweet chrome accents.
The car goes on sale next summer, but no price was announced.
Looks like they fixed the proportions but softened the edges so much that it can disappear in a crowd of Japanese mid to full sizers.
And how does a Chinese gain face without the waterfall? It could just be a Kia or Hyundai to the neighbors.
I bet the Chinese just LOVE these soft shapes. At the end of the day, that’s what really matters.
A bunch of the B&B’s pants got tight after seeing the colored tri-shield.
COLORED TRI-SHIELD, ASSEMBLEEEEE!
The only way to improve it would be an E&G grille.
Present!
So is this is just another Ep II now with LWB? Avenir was Omega.
“It is reportedly built on the Omega platform that is shared with the Cadillac CT6 flagship sedan.[3] Though the vehicle is a concept, it is widely speculated that Buick will launch a production version as GM has stated that Buick will receive an Omega platform sedan derivative and market conditions, especially in the Chinese market are optimum for such a vehicle. However, GM has said that they have no plans to build the vehicle.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Avenir
“I see no reason to stop using the Epsilon II until at least 2055.”
-Buick Product Planning Dept.
The new W-body.
What is the WB on this thing anyways?
I thought this was an extended version of the new plaform the 2016 Malibu uses(I forget the name of it). The 2010-2016 Lacrosse platform is the extended version of Epsilon II, this is new hence the weight loss.
This car is E2XX, the second car on the new derivative of that platform after the new Malibu.
The Avenir being suggesting an Omega based RWD Buick was nothing but smoke-screen – the concept was always a forecast for the next LaCrosse.
I like it okay. Just needs .2L more of displacement.
And I hope the interior is larger than the last version.
Aren’t you also forgetting the single cam.
I’ve seen this front fascia design before – on the current Legacy. I’ve also see the rear 3/4 panel and window design – on the gen 1 Azera.
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Subaru/2015-Subaru-Legacy-1.jpg
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2010HyundaiAzera.jpg
Buick, come onnnnn.
Rear door cut-out for chrome strip at b-pillar is also tasteless.
Gen 1 Azera was my immediate reaction.
Like Ventiports in the first place, you owe Buick more than the benefit of doubt when they revamp styling cues they’ve used from decades before others have even manufactured cars…
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Buick/56-Buick-Special-S40-DV-11-GG_04.jpg
I can see the resemblance in the V chrome line, but not much else. I think the majority of living humans do not recall the ’56 Special (unfortunately).
I think the front looks like a previous gen Mazda 6.
http://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2010/08/03/e2335aa2-bb78-11e2-8a8e-0291187978f3/thumbnail/770×433/70f7932f442ff95f80f5030506107d1c/33886528-2-1333-OVR-1.jpg
I thought Subaru myself, with small Mazda touches on the side.
Will Buick ever try out another Reatta?
The Cascada was the most recent shot at a Reatta, and they didn’t use the name when they could have.
Yeah but props for not having 1) a plastic triangle of ugliness where the A pillar and front door start like every vehicle on sale these days, and 2) a massively bloated D pillar.
It is a little derivative but handsome enough. Glad to hear it will still be manufactured in the US.
What a fine looking car. I need new slacks. Additionally, the grille recall the ’56 Buick grille emblem. Also, about frickin’ time for the RED/WHITE/BLUE TriShield to return!
Except, they can’t afford one for the steering wheel? I guess GM has to use up the leftover ones first???
IIRC, your ’95 didn’t have a RWB trishield on the steering wheel either.
Nope. GM just molded it into the steering wheel. I have a red interior (A plus), so I have 1/3 of the Tri-Shield!
http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/49109689.jpg
Except it’s not really red, white, and blue – they’re calling it red, “silver” and blue. GM seems to have an aversion to even calling it red, white, and blue.
Nothing says “NOT-LUXURIOUS” like big plastic buttons.
At least these stupid companies are making their cars bigger…you know – like I’ve been saying all along.
The MKZ is getting 400HP?
Gee – everyone told me it didn’t need more power.
Also, I’m glad that it comes with 40s Junction already playing on SIRIUSXM since that what it’ll be locked on anyway when retail delivery takes place…!
I can say it; I like Buicks regardless.
I was thinking the same thing.
“We’re a car company for them young whipper-snappers! They love big band!”
GM needs to buy TTAC’s pictures, I was on the fence about it until I saw the pics on here, now I like it. What does GM have against showing the full tail end of this thing?
This is a proper Buick…elegant and spacious. I think it looks extremely nice. I’m sure it was largely developed and designed by Shanghai GM, where they’ll sell 10x as many of these as in the US. On the streets of Shanghai these Buicks are very common, and they are very nice, more akin to Audi than what people here think of Buick. This here is not just a proper Buick…it’s a proper Shanghai Buick.
This Buick looks like a nicer ride than the new MKZephyr refresh.
+1. Although it must be noted that the MKZ is a (extensive) mid-cycle refresh. The all new MKZ (maybe with a real name) is due in a couple years on the all new D6 platform.
One of GM’s better design efforts. The front seems to have Merc CLS headlamps with a quasi Lexus GS shape from a few generations ago.
But holy crap, do they not know that the BMW shifter is all kinds of awful? Whoever decided to copy that should be sacked.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that. Though they seem to be catching on around the industry, so apparently someone likes them. Personally, give me just a shifter with a normal PRNDL setup and I’m more then happy.
Just properly call it a Wildcat and be done with it!
The style is updated; the 1956 grille is back.
Wildcat owners of the 1962 to 1970 models want their halo car back.
RIVIERA – Buick’s new two door
WILDCAT – Buick’s new mid-size four door
At least Buick isn’t going down the Cadillac alphanumeric road to perdition.
It’s safe to assume that very few (>5%) of new Buick owners in 1970 were under 30, so Wildcat owners of the 1962 to 1970 models are age 75 to dead.
Hello, age 39 here!
As many of you know, I have, and enjoy, a 1995 LeSabre. I like it a lot, but have never liked the newer ones, because they screamed “that’s not a Buick”.
This is a Buick.
Vauxhall front end, Hyundai Azera from the side, and Buick Regal from the back. I really am a Buick Fan (Enclave and Regal Owner), but this Vauzeragal won’t be parked in my driveway.
Now that is a nice-looking car!
Note to Honda Motors: That’s how you sculpt a nose.
Hyundai must now be worried…GM has caught up to their old Azera’s styling. Maybe the next trick will be a Genesis wannabe too!
You’re not giving GM enough credit. They caught on to the Azera’s styling when the Impala came out for ’14. So only 3 years late, not 6. They just tried to hide it behind the Impala’s Camaro grill.
Great job…. body is similar to the 2016 Hyundai Azera and the interior of 2015 Hyundai Genesis
Just what Buick buyers were looking for. A Buick that looks like a Chevy that came out 2 years ago.
Which looked much better, so yes.
This is what they killed Pondiac for, eh?
You know how much money it would have taken to keep making entire cars out of plastic?
Plus, the Chinese may sell us items for $1.99, but they demand a premium vehicle experience.
Buick- Premium American Motorcars. What more could you want?
Pondiac is just coming out I think.
@28
Great, now I have to drain my keyboard!
My bad.
I like the current model better. This looks like a nicer Impala. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it just doesn’t look at luxurious as the current model.
Not a fan of the side view – the rear is beautiful, front clip is meh. I’d rather see it in person. So many cars today because of the angles and lines look pretty horrid in pictures but look a lot better in person.
The new Impala and the Lexus IS are two solid examples of awful in pics, much better in person.
I liked the Lucerne; there is a lot of the Lucerne in several of the views.
Buick and Lincoln revealing nice, big cars on the same day…I am glad I tuned in.
That’s the mid-size car that Lincoln just revealed. The full-size Continental is yet to come.
Looks are a bit bland, but still much better than the current model. If it rides like a cloud, I’m all about it.
They could pump out a turd, add 4 wheels and it would look better than the current Lexus rip off bloated mess.
Car looks great, I’m also excited that GM put the color back in the Tri-Shield.
My 04 Rendezvous’s shields look cheap without any color in them.
Only Toyota seems to be able to style a new car that doesn’t incorporate some feature from some other car on the road. They do this by only employing designers with violent headaches who then produce full-size Tonka Transformer toys with added geegaws, TM.
This Buick shows that GM at least employs designers with taste. Derivative here and there, sure, but certainly not displeasing to gaze upon.
Where did they steal the tailights, from a Honda Civic? I’m longing for the day when some courageous automaker returns to a more proper, formal roofline for sedans.
I have realized where they got the tail lamps.
http://images.gatewayclassiccars.com/carpics/CHI/296/296f.jpg
And now I approve of them.
God this looks like a total pile of sh!t. Like a dressed up Impala but looks bad unlike the Impala which actually looks good. I said it before and I will say it again, I would buy an Impala over a CTS and definitely over this. How is your lowest line the best of the bunch?
In what specific manner does it offend your sensibilities?
I really want more rear head room. For a flag-ship sedan is just seems a little too small. It’s no replacement for a nice Park Avenue (or even a LeSabre or a Lucerne). Maybe they can import the Avenir from China once they start building it there.
That console looks quite wide and tall. It front seating as cramped as the Taurus?
Looks cool. I’m sure my grandfather will be buying one.
Unless they hurry-up with the Envision.
That’s not a Buick! Nope it’s the refreshed Hyundai Azera disguised with Buick port holes!