2009 Buick LaCrosse

Review

The 2009 Buick LaCrosse exudes quiet confidence. With a soft ride, plenty of features, and lots of passenger and cargo space, the LaCrosse is a solid contender in the affordable midsize sedan market. Of course, the LaCrosse did not do very well in side-impact crash tests, and its outdated four-speed automatic transmission holds the sedan back. Get the results of our road test of the Buick LaCrosse in the following car review.

Improvements from the 2008 Buick LaCrosse

For 2009, Buick offers Bluetooth connectivity in all models of the LaCrosse and drops the CXS trim.

Performance

Car reviews agree that the Buick LaCrosse offers plenty of power, especially when equipped with the optional 5.3-liter, 300-horsepower V8. The V8 LaCrosse can blast from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, which is an excellent showing for a car at this price point. When equipped with the 3.8-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine, the LaCrosse is not quite as fast or fun to drive. The biggest problem with the performance of the Buick LaCrosse is its reliance on an outmoded four-speed automatic transmission. The four-speed seems archaic next to the high-tech five- and six-speed automatic transmissions of its competitors. The LaCrosse’s handling is confident, and the ride is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. Braking is especially strong with the Super’s larger brakes.

Exterior Features

The 2009 model year is the last production year of the LaCrosse’s existing design, which first appeared in 2005. Although somewhat nondescript and dated, the styling of the Buick LaCrosse is still becoming. See photos of the 2009 LaCrosse’s design in our gallery. Buick offers the LaCrosse in three trim levels: the CX, CXL, and Super. Standard exterior equipment includes remote start and 16-inch steel wheels. On the 2009 LaCrosse Super, Buick adds hood portals and chrome accents and exhaust tips.

Interior Features

Drivers will appreciate the Buick LaCrosse’s many soft surfaces and interior features. Auto reviews note that the cabin of the LaCrosse looks high-quality and well-assembled. On the other hand, some critics are not pleased with the lack of fit and finish in the LaCrosse’s interior. With the optional front bench seat available on the CX and CXL trims, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse can seat six passengers. The standard configuration seats five. Legroom and headroom are abundant up front, but back passengers might be a bit cramped. Standard interior equipment on the Buick LaCrosse includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat with memory, full power accessories, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, satellite radio, a six-speaker sound system with CD player, and steering-wheel-mounted controls.

Safety and Specifications

The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has performed well in government and car insurance industry crash tests for frontal impacts but has struggled in side-impact tests. The LaCrosse earned only three out of five stars in side-impact tests for front-passenger protection and four out of five stars in the same test for rear-passenger protection; this could affect your ability to easily receive cheap car insurance. Standard car safety equipment includes OnStar communications, full-length side-curtain airbags, traction control, and anti-lock disc brakes. An overview of the Buick LaCrosse’s specs follows.

• Car pricing: $25,640 - $33,805 MSRP; $24,486 - $32,284 invoice
• Engine: 3.8-liter, 200-hp V6; 5.3-liter, 300-hp V8
• Transmission: four-speed automatic transmission
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph about 5.7 seconds with LaCrosse Super

Upgrade Options

Available features on the Buick LaCrosse CX model include driver’s seat power lumbar adjustment and heated front seats. Options available on the LaCrosse CXL include a power front passenger seat, premium nine-speaker sound system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a sunroof, an in-dash CD changer, and rear park assist. Lastly, available options on the Super model include a CD changer and a sunroof. Any 2009 LaCrosse can be equipped with Bluetooth.

How the Buick LaCrosse Compares to Other Affordable Midsize Cars

The prices of all but the highest trim level of the Buick LaCrosse are competitive for the midsize segment. The 2009 LaCrosse offers a city/highway fuel economy rating of 17/28 mpg. A list of the LaCrosse’s competitors is provided below.

• Ford Fusion
• Mercury Milan
• Hyundai Sonata
• Toyota Prius

New car guide information approximates the 2009 Buick LaCrosse’s Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership at $36,387, which is a below-average value for a midsize sedan. The 2009 LaCrosse received a perfect score of 10.0 out of 10 on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability. The Buick LaCrosse comes with four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Conclusion: Is the 2009 Buick LaCrosse a Smart Buy?

Buick has a reputation for building reliable, smooth-riding highway cruisers, and that is exactly what the 2009 Buick LaCrosse is. For a midsize sedan, the LaCrosse also has excellent passenger and cargo space. And when equipped with the V8 engine, the sedan’s performance is impressive. Of course, the higher trim levels can get expensive, and the LaCrosse’s side-impact crash results are a bit disappointing. Overall, the 2009 LaCrosse is perfect for drivers who value dependability and quiet comfort in an affordable midsize sedan.