LaCrosse aims to change LaOpinion of Buick

 “Russ, try this Buick,” the GM guy said to me “It’s a 2010 Buick LaCrosse,” he excitedly told me. I was thinking that it’s been roughly 30 years of Buick-free motoring for me…but all good things must come to an end I guess. In fact, the last time I was in a Buick, I wasn’t even driving; it was my mom’s Buick Wildcat Convertible, complete with a 455cu/in V8.

From what I remember of Mom’s Wildcat was a) the roof didn’t like going down when she pushed the button at about 40 kph, and b) the suspension was so soft that when she drove through the intersection culverts of North Dallas, she’d – without a care in the world – bang the bottom of the front bumper off the road.

It did go pretty good though, “Just can’t beat them cubic inches,” my redneck friends used to say.

Anyhow, fast forward 30 years and I am staring at what I can tell is a Buick by the huge emblem in the chrome grill. Other than that monstrous chrome grill and the little chrome hood vent looking things, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is a pretty decent looking ride. Yes, you heard that right…a decent ride.

The smooth angular lines with fender accents and wheels that actually fit the fenders all lead up to a ‘decent bit of kit’.

Okay, I did walk around the back to see if it did indeed have Buick on it.

For sure, Buick has come along way on the outside, but did they keep up with development on the inside and underneath, that is what I really wondered.

Only one way to find out…drive it.

Before you can drive it, you have to get in it, and that is where you run into the thing that aggravated me the most about the Buick. The very nicely sculptured interior is very inviting, but right as you enter the door, the bottom of the dash is sculptured so that the corner has already started to blend into the door part. Most are straight, and I ko’d my knee when getting in. Two of my passengers did the same thing on their side, before I could say, “Watch out for…never mind.”

It’s a very minor thing, but it is worth mentioning especially if you go out and test drive one.

I will say, other than the overall design of the interior, the layout is very good. Controls on the center stack are easy to reach, and the steering wheel controls are positioned well so you don’t increase the volume every time you turn a corner. I was very impressed with the interior, especially our CXS with Cocoa Cashmere, perforated leather seat trim.   Also, the inside is nicely equipped even in the base CX model. The top of the line CXS has available navigation system, Ultrasonic Rear parking assist, heated power mirrors, E-Z key, keyless entry system (which is also standard on CX) and Harman/kardon 384-watt 11 speaker premium matrix surround system. There is no shortage of luxury appointments in the LaCrosse.