18th Place: Buick LaCrosse

Overview:

The LaCrosse certainly feels like a good large sedan at its first impression. It rides very smoothly and quietly, handles corners without fuss, and has a well-built interior. Its price also makes a good impression, as the LaCrosse costs less than most large rivals and even quite a few smaller cars in this group. But the fundamental virtue that would make a large sedan desirable is absent in the LaCrosse: a spacious and comfortable interior. The front seats are flat and unsupportive, and the rear is surprisingly cramped. There's little reason to buy any large sedan if you don't need a spacious interior, and thus little reason to consider the large sedan that lacks it, however nicely it drives for its size.

Driving the LaCrosse:

The LaCrosse has a very comfortable ride: very absorbent and surprisingly well-controlled. Despite its size and ride comfort, it also handles capably for a large car, though it isn't nearly as agile as the many smaller, lighter midsize cars in this group. Road, wind, and engine noise are very well subdued, though what can be heard of the standard 3.8-liter V6 during hard acceleration isn’t as pleasant as the engine note found in some competitors. The car’s weight and relatively low horsepower hinder its acceleration compared to the powerhouses in its competitors. A V8 is now available on higher-end models, but a larger and smoother V6 has been dropped from the lineup. Gas mileage at least is good for this group.

Inside the LaCrosse:

The LaCrosse’s front seats are spacious enough, but not particularly comfortable. They have a long seat cushion, though they are a bit low and soft, and there could be more headroom. And the rear seat is one of the least comfortable in this group, despite the LaCrosse’s exterior size,. Head and leg room are lacking, and the low seat cushion is too short. Feet will fit under the front seats, at least, and the cushion is well-angled. The interior uses good-quality materials that fit together very well. The gauges are large and very clear, and while the instruments are laid out well, many buttons should be bigger. Drivers sit very comfortably, but rearward visibility is inhibited by a high rearward beltline. Entry/exit is easy enough to the front seats, but the sloped roofline and small door openings complicate rear access. The trunk’s opening could be larger, but it is large and reasonably well-shaped.

LaCrosse pricing:

The LaCrosse is reasonably well-equipped at the relatively reasonable price of $25,841. It doesn't offer torso-protecting side airbags, but does include GM's OnStar driver assistance program and a remote-starter. It doesn't have as many extras as many competitors, however.

Conclusion:

Though comfortable, quiet, and luxurious, the LaCrosse lacks the interior space and comfort of even many smaller cars in this group, several of which can match or exceed its strong points. If you need a large sedan, this won't meet your interior space needs. And if you don't, save money and get something physically smaller than the LaCrosse.

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