2005 Buick LaCrosse

All you loyal Buick owners who have been nervously watching your beloved carmaker roll out one new SUV after another, you can now exhale. Buick just birthed a sedan. The LaCrosse replaces both the Regal and Century, two sedans summarily dismissed by automotive enthusiasts but widely embraced by conservative drivers. Buick sold a lot of both sedans to satisfied customers who longed for mid-sized American transportation that felt familiar. The LaCrosse will also feel familiar to this segment, many of whom remember Buick when it was a young carmaker. The new sedan may even attract a few buyers beyond that demographic, with big emphasis on “may.’’

The good news
From Buick’s viewpoint, I guess the best news is they’ve succeeded in not scaring off their constituency. The LaCrosse comes across as a very roomy sedan with nice luxuries, reasonable road manners and updated styling, but without the confusing array of bells and whistles adorning much of its competition. It’s one of the simplest interiors I’ve seen in a long time – simple as in bland. To many others, however, I’m sure it looks reassuring. It should also feel reassuring. Increased rear legroom and generous dimensions for hips are welcome assets for the American public, as is 16 cubic feet of trunk.

The optional bench front seat marks a major throwback, but expect it to be a new selling point for those who want room for six without SUV/minivan proportions. Others will just be happy they can put their purses and/or Kleenex boxes on the seat beside them again. Outside, the LaCrosse is fairly unremarkable. There’s a little Ford Taurus about it, a little evolved Buick Regal and a lot of Lexus GS in the front end. I don’t think anyone is going to be fooled by the dash of Lexus, but it does make the sedan look contemporary.

What is more impressive, however, is the LaCrosse’s quiet and satisfying drive. Ride and handling components are 80 percent new versus Regal, with an eye on more response, less vibration. The CXS I tested is considered the “performance-oriented version” (hang on to your wig, Ethel), featuring larger stabilizer bars and “more responsive handling.” The result is a sedan that goes where you point it. Optional GM’s StabiliTrak stability enhancement helps keep it steering in that direction by automatically applying a brake force when it senses sudden maneuvers. It’s a nice safety. So are larger brakes, another LaCrosse update, and stronger safety cage.

“QuietTuning” is another feature of the LaCrosse. Besides introducing yet another double-capital word to upset my computer, QuietTuning is a comprehensive approach to reducing noise and vibration throughout the body. It’s a worthy effort that produces a very quiet sedan and, therefore, a feeling of luxury and build quality.

The bad news
When I first got in the LaCrosse, I put my foot on the brake as usual, adjusted the seat and then moved my foot towards the accelerator to start it. I couldn’t find it. Honest. I finally discovered it deep, deep in the recesses of the footwell beyond the brake. Very odd.

Only front airbags come standard. Front/rear curtain side impact air bags for head protection are available as a $395 option. No regular side airbags on the list.

Is it worth?
My LaCrosse CXS was fully loaded with everything from sunroof to heated seats to 17-inch chrome-plated wheels to Satellite Radio. It even has a remote starting system that allows you to warm up the car in the morning without ever having to set foot outside the house. I love this.

My point is you can get a LaCrosse, even a CXS with leather and CD player, for much less than $33,650. At the lower end of the price point, it seems a reasonable value if you want an American mid-size sedan. An “upscale” Buick, at that. Don’t overlook Buick’s excellent reputation for quality and customer satisfaction, either.

Personally, however, I find the Japanese offerings overall much more attractive in this category and price. They may not be as big or roomy, but they’re much better looking and more fun to drive.

That shouldn’t bother Buick much. I don’t honestly believe they expect many Accord or Altima customers to crossover to a LaCrosse anyway. Despite its more youth-oriented ads, this car seems built with the Regal/Century generation and rental/corporate fleets in mind. It suits those targets well.

It’s a very nice, sensible sedan that will inspire few, but satisfy many.

Particulars
Front-drive, front-engine, 5- or 6-passenger 4-door midsize sedan
Price
Base: $28,335 CXS model;
As tested: $33,650
Engine
Type: 3.6L, 24-valve, variable valve timing V6
Power: 240 horses @ 6000 rpm; 225 lb ft of torque @ 2000
Drivertrain
Transmission: Hydra-Matic electronic 4-speed automatic with overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 110.5 in.
Overall length: 198.1 in.
Curb weight: 3568 lbs. (CXS)
Gas mileage
EPA rated at 19 mpg city/27 highway

Website: www.buick.com

During her 16 years reviewing new vehicles, Beth Stein has written for Nashville's dailies (circ. 185,000), national magazines and BestStuff.com. She appeared coast-to-coast on-air for Road Test Magazine, Car And Driver Television and Motor Trend Television.