The Buick LaCrosse exists in an interesting category of luxury vehicles, a class that places its focus on comfort, nobility, and refinement, rather than the traditional performance-oriented driving experience found in most other entry-luxury offerings such as the Cadillac ATS.
And it just so happens that the sales leader (by volume) of the non-performance midsize luxury class is the benevolent Lexus ES — a car that, for all intents and purposes, created the non-performance midsize luxury class. Both the LaCrosse and ES have their merits, and both have their faults — in what are oftentimes different areas. The LaCrosse has been out, in its current second-generation form, since 2010 — while Lexus just unleashed the all-new ES on the market, a car that we first heard would put the LaCrosse to shame.
So with that we ask you — which would you rather purchase, and drive — the Lexus ES, or the Buick LaCrosse? Cast your vote in the poll below, then sound off in the comments.
Comments
The current ES is just a bigger luxury version of the Avalon/Camry. Technology wise then maybe but it’s just looks boring already
Drive it. It’s not a “version” of anything once you get behind the wheel and spend some good time going 70-80 MPH on a beat-up part of the highway. It’s much quieter, softer, and classy than the Camry or the Avalon could ever be.
i meant this new one Alex not the current one
Even so, my comment still stands. The point is that the ES is worlds apart from anything it is mechanically related to.
but it’s still funny that this LaCrosse and the new Azera still manages to beat the new ES even though the ES is redesigned and the LaCrosse is already on production for 2-3 years… I am not sure why Azera is on that comparison since Motortrend did that comparison
ES is just too boring to even consider. I got my parents a 2012 3.6L Lacrosse for a reason.
To be completely honest, Id get the Lexus, I love the new front fiasca, with the leds and the spindle grill, and to me the new ES looks eons better than the previous generation one and the Lacrosse.
This is a copy of my comment on the first car clash, which was ignored, it is constructive criticism, and applies to all the car clash posts:
Hmm, I thought GMA was going to do a mini review of both, or at least provide some basic highlights of both cars, ex: 0-60 , widely accepted attributes and strengths of both, weight, pricing, personal GMA opinion(Alex likes the Mustang 🙂 stuff like that.
Not just a big Camaro vs Mustang picture.
@Babersher we didn’t ignore your comments — they are much appreciated, keep them coming. Look for a surprise during next week’s Car Clash 🙂
I just said that to explain why I was double posting a comment, Cant wait…
I think your poll results says it all. Lexus quality is the benchmark. It makes me mad that GM ignored Lexus for 15 years as they took over the luxury car market in the USA.
If i remember correct the only car company to tie or beat Lexus in quality is Buick.
rocket88…excellent; Buick is selling very, very well compared to Lexus…enough said
Michael….I did hear that Buick quality is top notch….it sure shows whenever a person actually looks and compares instead of assuming GM is no good 🙂
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It is true that Lexus is luxurious…that is why it is priced as it is…and that is why people love a used one. Buick is on its way….same thing for ATS…people just can’t get enough of BMW..image and quality……Cadillac is on it way also…..
My sister is on her way to buy her third Lexus…wanted Cadillac but thought the expense of options was too much compared to Lexus…hope Cadillac is listening; they lost a good customer in her
BMW Image? Yes , Quality? Never heard of that lol
Cadillac was a wrong comparision with a Lexus. Why didnt she consider looking at some Buicks?
Babersher….she is now a loyal Lexus fan…won’t switch ever again, she said
If Cadillac did not charge so much for options…white paint, for example, and gave customers more standard as I always am saying, she would have bought the Cadillac and would still be buying them. Just saying……
Babersher, probably whole image thing… Supposedly Buicks are for old people…
Buicks are for old people………sounds like some snob to me
Probably, hopefully this image will pass in time as Buick keeps building cars like the Encore and Verano. I am already seeing a slight change in Buick’s perception.
Babersher…..see Buicks eveywhere….quite a few Veranos and lots of Lacrosse…people know quality and style when they see it…..AND lots of young people too….so whoever thinks Buick is only for retirees, wrong
Babersher…yes, it is odd how people are so quick to think GM is no good and only “old” people buy Buicks and Caillacs…they propably can afford them and do not have to lease i bet 🙂
I drove a 2012 Buick LaCrosse from Atlanta, GA to Miami, FL this past summer. it had 3.6L V6 and every option save AWD and a Sun Roof. It was an excllent ride and only some benevolent deity kept me from getting a ticket as I would often catch myself criusing at 85 or 90 on the turnpike. I have not driven a Lexus but IMHO The Buick would be hard to beat.
RSBaker….yes, those Buicks are NICE for sure. I am still thinking of Verano or Regal…very luxe ride and lovely interiors too. I test drove a Verano and was speeding also!!!! Could not tell I was even moving; that says it all 🙂
When seen on the road, the new ES pales in comparison to LaCrosse! Fully loaded with 18″ wheels, the LaCrosse is a stunner, even after a few years. It is way more stylish and upscale looking than the Lexus, period!
Mr C……Buick is a great deal for the money…excellent warranty too
GMA, redo that picture and add a top trim Buick LaCrosse, instead of that E-Assist with those small, questionably attractive wheels:-)
Mr. C — we’ve recreated the photo to your (and our) liking 🙂
The ES front end looks like it should be on a Scion not a Lexus. It gives it a boy racer/entry level youth look.
rocket…….agree that Lexus looks too ….I don’t know….sporty? Don’t like the look for a luxury car at all personally. Luxury is luxury so keep it classy, please.
i guess they just got it from the GS
I would sooner have the Lexus. Some of GM’s front-wheel-drive cars have very tall and flat fascias that aren’t very flattering, and the LaCrosse is among them. That said, I think the designers got everything right on the LaCrosse’s platform mate, the 2013 Malibu, but that’s neither here nor there…
I personally believe that buying any import is treason against American products and workers. I have and will never buy an import. All of my vehicles since 1975 are GM and American!
I understand and appreciate your patriotism because I know quite a few people who feel the same way. However, we can’t all adopt that attitude because it is through the threat of foreign competition that our domestic automakers are compelled to create better products rather than mediocrity on wheels. If you’ll recall, the Big Three did not take BMW and Mercedes-Benz very seriously when they first showed up on American shores…and look at where they are now. Cadillac is still struggling to maintain a bona-fide luxury stigma and Lincoln is practically on its death bed.
I completely agree, I mostly buy American, but I refuse to buy an inferior car just because its “American” , and doing so harms more than helps for the following reasons.
1. The consumer loses, they get an inferior car
2. The company keeps on making inferior cars
3. Eventually the company collapses(2008), then the American auto industry disappears.
4. It goes against free market principles, which is what made Americas economy so big and America so rich
And here is the reason buying American or not makes such little difference.
The reality is that nothing is “American” any more, all those factories that building American cars in America, well there not, there assembling cars built around the world. We have ceased being a manufacturing center. The big three have more plants int he world than in the U.S, they sell many more cars around the world than they do in the U.S. The most American car happens to be the Toyota Camry. In fact, they wouldnt survive if suddenly they had to build and sell everything only in America. This is globalization, get used to it because its here to stay.
Like I said, I try to myself and try to encourage people to buy american as much as possible, if, and only if, they are not getting an inferior car out of some misguided belief that they are helping there fellow Americans.
However, buying an American car helps the American people, as long as the car is competitive with others in its segment.
BTW, Chrysler is no longer American, its Italian, so if you insist on buying American only, its GM or Ford for you.
I got my buick lacrosse three months ago and i love it its top notch in every way! Im a 30 year old male and the perception of buick being for old people is def there.I cant tell you how many people take a look at my car and say wow thats a buick?! ln fact one of my good friends was so impressed he got a verano!
JGIA……………….yes, Buick is so nice….I actually felt the Verano to be nicer than the Cadillacs I looked at…so impressive….I know some people think the faux wood is cheap, etc, etc, but that is minor……glad you enjoy your ride!
a buick? dontt make me laugh. I will never buy a gm car. nissan honda and toyotais all i need
Looks like William has a determined disdain of quality products. Oh well.
You buy american inferior automobiles and pay for them for years while the ceos pocket the money. Dont be stupid!! Buy a car with quality. I would feel very inferior driving a ford gm or especially a chrysler.
Looks like you carry a sack of unfounded perceptions. The CEOs pocket the money, eh? Really? Like who? Have any examples?
But more to the point: have you even driven the vehicles we’re discussing here?
GM has a blank check from the whitehouse who are funneling monety to GM on a as needed basis. The 500 million shares that the whitehouse is holding is costing the taxpayer plenty. what a joke. I wish they had crashed and burned so I would not have to see that little stupid chevrolet emblem anymore.
A blank check, eh? Wrong:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/04/gm-bailout-numbers/
TIme to get your facts straight.
Also, every single nation that is the home of any other automaker, be they European or Asian, has supported their national automakers in several ways, including providing them with money and heavy subsidies during difficult economic times.
So to summarize your “argument”, you think that by letting “GM crash and burn” in 2009, America would be better off. Some more good ol’ uneducated and uninformed BS form someone who hasn’t the slightest clue. Doesn’t stop you from talking, though.
Alex how old are you? where have you been in the last five or six years. Your replies appear to be coming from a person who knows very little about the car industry and their history. Check the last ceos of chrysler and GM and Ford
I’ve been right here, William. Covering General Motors day in and day out.
Let’s talk about some facts, shall we?
The “last CEOs of GM” include:
1. Dan Akerson (current CEO)
2. Ed Whitacre
3. Fritz Henderson
4. Rick Wagoner
None of these folks have done what you are describing as it relates to “pocketing money”. Where have you been the last five or six years bud? Because it seems like you’re utterly clueless and uninformed.
“Your replies appear to be coming from a person who knows very little about the car industry and their history.”
I’ll keep providing you with facts. I welcome your baseless arguments and feeble opinions.
You also seem to lack a general clue about how corporations operate. In order for a CEO to “pocket money”, the board needs to approve of the transfer/bonus. Yet another thing that hasn’t taken place.
But you haven’t actually answered by initial question, so let me ask it again:
have you even driven the vehicles we’re discussing here? As in, have you driven a Lexus ES or a Buick LaCrosse?
Alex it is very impressive that you knew the names of the ceos. But it would be helpful if you knew the history as well as the names. You know how mismanaged large corporations have operated in this country for years.
Also there is no car company in the world that has given a private car company 50 billion dollars or more like the US has done. I guarantee you they will fille another chapter 11 in five years or less
William – go ahead, ask me anything you’d like as it relates to the CEOs’ “history” at GM. None of these men were responsible for the “mismanagement” you’re referring to. Yes, mismanagement took place — but it wasn’t in the last 4 (or so) years.
As far as “another chapter 11″… I can tell you that it’s highly unlikely. The New GM is an extremely healthy business, and is making huge strides in fixing the areas that need fixing. With over $30 billion in cash and the best vehicle lineup it has ever had (even compared to the competition), it would take a world apocalypse for a bankruptcy to take place.
Alex I wouldnt even bother responding to this guy.Hes obviously on here just to sling mud at gm as a corporation thats his agenda. I also love how noone.seems.to talk about the fact that the japanese government subsididizes their auto industry and closes off their market to foreign automakers. Gms current lineup of vehicles is the best they have ever had. Oh and william….your beloved lexus es which was just refreshed this year just lost to the older lacrosse in a motor trend comparo….
I thought this was a neutral forum But thewn i look at the URL and Low and behold it is a general motors propaganda setup. I am amongst the enemy
William – GM Authority is an independent publication. If you have any questions about its independent nature, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Are you even American?
William I have to say you have me rolling here buddy!! Gm is top dog in the two biggest markets north america and china and has a very strong balance sheet. The only weakness w new gm is europe and maximiziing their operating margins which they are in the process of working out. So yeah pretty sure they are going to be around in 5 years
I’m pretty sure “William” doesn’t know the fact that Buick is as reliable as those brands that he mentioned. And he is just either brainwashed or he is one of those many Americans thinks GM and Chryser are epic fail because of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy and Ford didn’t (Ford actually did borrow money through private). And it’s also not like the J3 didn’t borrow money through Japan or anything. But really whatever… if he wants to go buy cars that either sudden accelerates themself to death while looking boring, or the power window switches gets hot and start a fire themselves and said that their cars are redesigned (which is more like a refresh), or a car that looks like a frog in the front and you will have a hard time changing the light bulbs on the turning lights then go ahead.
Lexus is so overrated. The Buick Lacrosse blows the ES away big time. Buying a Lexus, Infiniti or Acura is like buying a Buick for the price of a Cadillac. If Buick had the cache of Lexus, the Buick Lacrosse would be a winner every time without any doubt.
I think the Lacrosse blows the Azera in terms of materials also
this site is all pro GM.
Have you clowns forgot where you were in 2007? The 50 billion dollar bailout and the illegal bankruptcy are the only reason you people still exist. You have a history of Fuc’d
up cars. If not for Obama you would be history. So lets not get it twisted.
You people are still losing market share 18%.
All of your cars are hugely discounted in order to get the inflated sales figures. there is lots more but i will not burst all of your bubbles