2009 Buick Lacrosse

The interior has received mixed reviews. Car and Driver wrote that the plastic wood trim looks classier, and that the center stack's matte silver finish borrows heavily from Chrylser's playbook. The Detroit News wasn't so impressed, nothing that the LaCrosse is comfortable, but also boring. Edmunds went the opposite direction, adding that the clean and elegant lines was tasteful with a splash of style. The long expanse of wood is only interrupted by a gauge, and chrome touches were appreciated. LaCrosse Super editions get new seats, along with wood-grain-appearance accents on the instrument panel, center console, door, and gear shift knob.

Autoblog starts in on the Super edition, by noting that its 300-hp 5.3-liter V-8 was a "major power boost" for the sedan. Car and Driver takes it further by noting that the Super's V-8 is currently found underhood the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo SSs and Pontiac Grand Prix GXPs that were torque steering "toward ditches and road signs near you." Edmunds advises that for drivers looking for supreme power, they should consider the V-8, even though the V-6 is smoother. The V-6 may be a quieter ride, but the V-8 can shut off fuel to four of its eight cylinders while cruising to conserve fuel.

Every Buick LaCrosse is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, wrote Cars.com. Consumer Guide added more by saying that the transmission is smooth, but requires a "deep stab" at the throttle to execute a pass. Edmunds wrote that the four-speed unit was a liability overall, and added that many other competitors offer five- or six-speed autoboxes now as standard.

Fuel economy for the CX and CXL models is respectable at 17 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, Edmunds wrote. Super models come in slightly lower at 16/24, but Consumer Guide warns that V-6 models run on regular, while V-8 models run on more expensive premium-grade gasoline.

Drivers may notice that the LaCrosse specializes in a more comfortable ride, but not necessarily great handling. The base suspension setup swallows bumps on the roads, but tends to bound and pitch over ruts and bumps at highway speeds, wrote Consumer Guide. In the city, the car's big body rolled and swayed back and forth when accelerating or braking, according to the Detroit News. The paper went further, adding that it's comfortable and reassuring, but not super, and that the ride was soft and "squishy." (Their word, not ours.) Edmunds added that the sedan soaks up bumps, like you'd expect from a mid-size sedan, but noted that the handling wasn't particularly good.

LaCrosse models trimmed in the Super edition have a reworked suspension for better response and a firmer ride, but not without sacrificing much comfort. Autoblog noted the uprated Bilstein monotube struts and upgraded brakes, and Edmunds called the trim a step in the right direction. Automobile went further by writing that the LaCrosse sedan was still hyper-focused on providing more comfort than speed, and that by adding small touches like the suspension, steering rack, wheels, and bigger brakes, that the LaCrosse still kept its focus on over-the-road speed than superlative track lap times.

Cars.com wrote that the LaCrosse can be configured for six, or five with front bucket seats. The Detroit News observed that the 100 cubic feet of passenger room in the cabin made the sedan "super sized," but Edmunds warns that while the flat seats make for easy entry and exit, the rear seats don't offer enough leg room for taller adults.

At 16 cubic feet of cargo room, stowing luggage and groceries in the 2009 Buick LaCrosse should be easy, Cars.com noted. Consumer Guide wrote that the low liftover and hidden hinges maximized the cargo space, but said that the opening is too small to stuff larger boxes in the back. Edmunds wrote that interior storage is plentiful in the cabin, with plenty of bins and cubbies to maximize space.

Overall, many have applauded the interior of the 2009 Buick LaCrosse by noting the build quality and soft-touch materials. Kelley Blue Book added that the interior of the LaCrosse was a shift for the automaker toward quality, comfort, and design. The dash and instrument cluster were notably better than older Buicks, they added, and small details such as the control knobs may signal a return to form. Edmunds wasn't so enthusiastic, noting that the plastics used for the console and door panels were "low-rent" materials. Consumer Guide said the LaCrosse was well constructed, with easy to read gauges and panels.

Cars.com reports that "antilock brakes and side curtain airbags are standard" on all Buick LaCrosse trims. Consumer Guide adds that the Buick LaCrosse 2009 lineup also offers "dual front airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights" as standard equipment.

Electronic stability control—a lifesaving active safety feature that's strongly recommended by the editors of TheCarConnection—is standard on the Super model but optional for $495 on V-6 LaCrosse models. V-6 models come standard with a traction control system, which aids traction on snowy inclines but doesn't provide the same level of security and stability.

Visibility is not a serious issue with the 2009 Buick LaCrosse; Kelley Blue Book reports that "thin front and rear roof pillars keep blind spots to a minimum, but spotting the sloping hood's leading edge can be difficult" for someone in the driver's seat of this Buick LaCrosse 2009.

Moving up to the CXL trim gives buyers leather seats, woodgrain trim, heated front seats, alloy wheels, and power lumbar controls for the driver, according to Edmunds. Super trim tops the range and offers all of the above, including 18-inch wheels, V-8 power, an upgraded suspension and brakes, and leather seats with woven inserts, according to Popular Mechanic.

Kelley Blue Book notes the options may vary by trim and include a power adjustable passenger seat, spoiler, stability control, and a power sunroof. Consumer Guide noted a few more including rear obstacle detection, heated power mirrors, automatic adjustable rearview mirror, and power adjustable passenger seat. Cars.com noted that the Super trim gets its own unique gauges and center stack.

Navigation, which is a popular option for many sedans in this category, isn't offered in the LaCrosse.