During the 2012 New York International Auto Show, GM North America President Mark Reuss mentioned to the Detroit News that Buick plans on rolling out a highly refreshed version of the LaCrosse sometime in the not-too-distant future. This is a good thing, because at the same time, Lexus just revealed the new ES — its breadwinner and the LaCrosse’s main rival.
If this upcoming refreshed LaCrosse possesses the kind of luxury and attention to detail found in the GL Concept, it’s going to be right on the money. We just hope the car doesn’t distance itself from the contemporary swagger it has carried so well. But what are you hoping to see in the new LaCrosse? While we do some investigating, be sure to sound off in the comment section below.
Comments
Hopefully they have the full on Hybrid or revised the E-Assist to keep up with the ES
I dont think that’s something they can just roll out in a matter of a model year’s time, considering the E-Assist was brand new in September.
I would just like to see them develop a better looking E-Assist wheel. Find someone to make the same weighted wheel in an 18″ size so fuel economy is unaffected and it will be an enormous improvement. People literally have gone with the 3.6L or the Turbo (Regal) because they can’t stand the disproportioned look on E-Assist models. I think chrome is too much to ask, but just make an 18″ with a different design. Prease
I would like to see adaptive cruise control, standard HID’s, rain sensing wipers, and yes, better looking e-assist wheels.
As far as I know adaptive cruise control will be available in the new Impala ( optional equipment ) so it`s obvious that it will be in the new La Crosse.
The LaCrosse is being challenged by a slew of new cars in the same orbit. The new Hyundai Azera is quite nice. Toyota surprised us in New York with a slick new Avalon (who knew I’d ever think the Avalon was anything other than dowdy). The all-new Lincoln MKZ & MKZ hybrid will be an interesting alternative and it’s crammed with every new slick electronic gizmo Ford has in its arsenal. Then there is the all-new Lexus ES350 and, for the first time, a Hybrid ES.
So the competition has definitely heated up in this medium/larger sedan category, even if the experts say that this segment is expected to slightly contract in the coming year.
Wouldn’t the MKZ compete more directly with the Regal in terms of size? Where the MKS would be the LaCrosse competitor?
@Jordan, I think you’re spot-on about the MKS/LaCrosse size comparison. However, the new MKZ is another one of those “medium-size” sedans that has slightly bigger aspirations. I’ve found that people are a bit fluid when it comes to the size of their middle-size sedans. The refreshed MKS, like its corporate cousin the Taurus are large; however, the cockpits tend to feel a bit constrained or more “personal.” But with the shiny, new, swooping coupe-like lines and dramatic jump in interior quality and fuel economy of the MKZ/Fusion, it may attract customers from its larger stablemates and invite cross-shopping with other brands and slightly different sizes.
The new Avalon is said to have Lexus quality and attention to detail which tells me that the new Lexus ES is going to be a significant step above the (IMHO) crappy ES of today. The Hyundai Azera has lots of standard kit and wears Hyundai’s fluidic styling language (I’m not a huge fan of the look, but it’s sure working well for the Sonata and Elantra). So it will be interesting to see what models are cross-shopped and where the buying public plunks its money.
A more attractive dash with fewer buttons would be nice, but a total replacement will need to happen for the ~5 cubic feet more trunk space it really needs.
You’re so right. Gotta be able to fit the clubs in completely horizontal!
I think they need to quickly not just do the LaCrosse refresh, but also Regal/Insignia refresh soon!!
I never exactly understood why the Lacrosse was positioned against the ES. I understand it’s around the same price point, but fully loaded, it’s not far from the GS price point, and is similar in style and cache. It also shares more similar dimensions with the GS in length, trunk space and performance. I think Buick should really aim higher and forget the ES….seems to me that going after the ES is like shooting fish in a barrel with 2012 and earlier models, which were aging faster than their buyers. Even with the ES update for 2013, which I researched extensively, the Lacrosse winning over the new ES is still like shooting fish in a barrel in terms of style alone.
Nevertheless, I think a Lacrosse refresh based on the GL concept is going to be a great competitor to much of what Lexus is trying to combat it with. I live in L.A., and since 2010, I’m starting to see as many Buicks on the road as Lexus’….times are really changing, so has Buick, and good for them for upping their game!
Not that I’m old, I’m in my 30’s, but another observation is that I’d love to see the Electra name brought back to replace the Lacrosse badge. I was never a fan of “Lacrosse” as a name … If Regal can come back, Electra should too. I really think this is something that should be pitched to GM.
Need a GS model with a turbo-V6 and Eassist for better hiway mileage or an 8-speed trans. Also redesign front window posts & rear window slope for better visibility. Make
the hood vents functional to remove engine heat. Tired of Buick only offering limited engine options. Need a turbo-V6 for both Regal & LaCrosse especially until Buick gets a true flagship model.