The 2017 Buick LaCrosse is an all-new vehicle that represents the third generation of the LaCrosse nameplate. But how does it stack up to its predecessor when it comes to exterior and interior dimensions? That’s what we set out to find out in this GM Authority Dimensional Brief.
Exterior
At 197.5 inches (5,017 mm) in length, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse is slightly longer than the model it replaces, mostly due to a wheelbase that is 2.7 inches (68 mm) longer, while also being slightly wider, at 73.2 inches (1,859 mm). Those dimensions put the 2017 LaCrosse squarely into the full-size sedan category.
But the biggest changes are in overall vehicle height and weight: the new model is a full 1.7 inches (44 mm) shorter than its predecessor, making it significantly sleeker than before. And though Buick has yet to officially put a number on the curb weight of the new LaCrosse, it does say that the new model is “about 300 pounds lighter”, mostly thanks to its new E2XX platform.
Interior
Inside, the new LaCrosse remains spacious, while growing in some areas, and becoming smaller in others:
Increases:
- Front headroom (+10 mm / +0.4 in)
- Front legroom (+8 mm / +0.3 in)
- Front shoulder room (+7 mm / +0.3 in)
- Rear shoulder room (+14 mm / +0.6 in)
- Rear hip room (+30 mm / +1.1 in)
- Cargo volume (+26 L / +0.9 cu ft)
Decreases:
- Rear headroom (-4 mm / -0.2 in)
- Rear legroom (-15 mm / -0.6 in)
- Front hip room (-12 mm / -0.5 in)
| Measurement | 2017 Buick LaCrosse | 2014-2016 Buick LaCrosse | + / - 2017 LaCrosse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in): | 114.4 | 111.7 | +2.7 |
| Overall length (in): | 197.5 | 197 | +0.5 |
| Overall width (in): | 73.2 | 73.1 | +0.1 |
| Overall height (in): | 57.5 | 59.2 | -1.7 |
| Track (front) (mm): | 62.9 | 61.7 | +1.2 |
| Track (rear) (in): | 63.1 | 62 | +1.1 |
| Curb weight (lb): | TBD | 3895 | N/A |
| Seating capacity: | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | Equal |
| Headroom (front) (in): | 38.4 | 38 | +0.4 |
| Headroom (rear) (in): | 37.1 | 37.3 | -0.2 |
| Legroom (front) (in): | 42 | 41.7 | +0.3 |
| Legroom (rear) (in): | 39.9 | 40.5 | -0.6 |
| Shoulder room (front) (in): | 57.7 | 57.4 | +0.3 |
| Shoulder room (rear) (in): | 56.6 | 56 | +0.6 |
| Hip room (front) (in): | 54.7 | 55.2 | -0.5 |
| Hip room (rear) (in): | 55 | 53.9 | +1.1 |
| Volumes | |||
| Passenger Volume (cu ft): | TBD | 101.7 | N/A |
| Cargo Volume (cu ft): | 14.2 | 13.3 | +0.9 |
| Fuel Tank (gal): | TBD | 18.5 | N/A |
| Measurement | 2017 Buick LaCrosse | 2014-2016 Buick LaCrosse | + / - 2017 LaCrosse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2905 | 2837 | +68 |
| Overall length (mm): | 5017 | 5001 | +16 |
| Overall width (mm): | 1859 | 1857 | +2 |
| Overall height (mm): | 1460 | 1504 | -44 |
| Track (front) (mm): | 1599 | 1567 | +32 |
| Track (rear) (mm): | 1602 | 1575 | +27 |
| Curb weight (kg): | TBD | 1767 | N/A |
| Seating capacity: | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | Equal |
| Headroom (front) (mm): | 975 | 965 | +10 |
| Headroom (rear) (mm): | 943 | 947 | -4 |
| Legroom (front) (mm): | 1067 | 1059 | +8 |
| Legroom (rear) (mm): | 1014 | 1029 | -15 |
| Shoulder room (front) (mm): | 1466 | 1459 | +7 |
| Shoulder room (rear) (mm): | 1437 | 1423 | +14 |
| Hip room (front) (mm): | 1390 | 1402 | -12 |
| Hip room (rear) (mm): | 1399 | 1369 | +30 |
| Volumes | |||
| Passenger Volume (L): | TBD | 2878 | N/A |
| Cargo Volume (L): | 402 | 376 | +26 |
| Fuel Tank (L): | TBD | 70 | N/A |
2017 Buick LaCrosse interior
The GM Authority Take
We welcome the larger dimensions of the 2017 LaCrosse, but are somewhat puzzled about those interior dimensions that saw decreases. Our thoughts on that:
- The decrease in rear headroom is likely explained by the downward slope in the roofline of the new model.
- The decrease in rear legroom is puzzling, since the new LaCrosse has a longer wheelbase, which generally contributes to more legroom in the front and rear
- The decrease in front hip room is also puzzling, since the vehicle sports a very slight (+2 mm / +0.1 in) in width, which usually results in the same amount or a greater amount of hip room.
Buick has yet to release the overall passenger volume of the new LaCrosse, so we don’t yet have an idea whether the 2017 LaCrosse is truly more spacious than the 2014-2016 model. But you can bet that when we find out, we will let you know about it on the GM Authority blog.
About The Figures
- 2014-2016 Buick LaCrosse:
- Specifications obtained from manufacturer
- Curb weight figures used are for FWD V6 model
- 2017 Buick LaCrosse specifications:
- Are preliminary and may change as the vehicle nears launch
- Are for model without sunroof
Comments
Please fix the typo:
“At 197.5 inches (2905 mm) in length…”
where 2905 mm should be 5017 mm.
Front hip room decrease is odd, but it is relatively small (-12 mm), and counted for the driver and the front passenger together, IIUC, so it’s -6 mm for each of them, so it should’t be a catastrophe.
Rear legroom decrease is not really exciting, but it will be more or less tolerable, probably, for prospective customers.
It seems that big wheelbase extension from gen 2 to gen 3 didn’t really contribute to the longer cabin – just the front wheels were “moved forward” for better driving behavior, but the cabin size went kind of unaffected by this change.
So, I expect the overall cabin volume of gen 3 to be approximately the same as of 2010-2016 (gen 2).
I personally own gen 2 2010, and find the cabin to be big enough for a sedan (all of my relatives, friends and whoever I drove in it think the same way – not a single person said it’s not big enough), so, overall, the same impression and experience should be applicable to gen 3, I think.
I think they should offer LTG 2.0 Turbo option (along with the new 3.6 LGX) on this gen 3, similarly as they do on Regal and on base CT6. LTG should do well in this 300 lb lighter gen 3.
BTW, despite driving Buick, I’m not a WW II veteran – I’m only 33 now, and I bought gen 2 LaCrosse intentionally, because I liked it. So, yes, younger people also sometimes drive Buicks.
Thank you, TiGr1982. Sometimes all those numbers can get get confusing. Fixed!
Hey Alex, you said in a prior post about the Stop-start technology that there would be a disable switch in all GM cars. Well I see where Cadillac has it in full view in thier cars. However from everything I read about GMs other cars there is no way to disable it. I will not buy a car where this feature cannot be disabled. I just wonder if you can get me some data on this new LaCrosse and find out if it has a disable switch.
Hey Dan,
I think I said that all present and past GM vehicles with auto start/stop have had a disable button. The new LaX should have it, but I don’t recall seeing a button for it on the center console. Let me double check with Buick.
Thanks Alex, like I said I seen the button on Cadillac but have not seen it anywhere in current or future Chevys and Buicks. I even looked at the owners manuals and seen nothing mentioned of a disable button.
Some of that weight savings is also the result of removing the spare tire and jack, which is a HUGE problem with me. I’m suspecting the area under the trunk carpet will house the unwanted (for me) aux battery and other workings of the start-stop system like in the Camaro, so there will be no good place to store the spare if I choose to buy one.
Also, don’t be fooled by the so called increase in trunk space. Since the hinges are no longer in pockets to prevent the crushing of luggage, the space that will be occupied by the hinges when the trunk is closed can be counted towards the size of the trunk.
lol…all this buick is, is a 2015 chevy impala. Here we go again, car look a likes with other models. What a shame. Buick lacrosse of recent years was a gorgeous car. And now cheapened for 2017.
The 2017 LaX is an entirely different car than the Impala. Different platform, different design, powertrain, different everything else.
We’ll soon have a post comparing the LaX to the Impala… and you’ll see the difference even more in that one.
Yes, this gen 3 has styling similar to the Impala (and to some other non-GM cars as well, e.g. front – to new Volvo, rear – to Azera), while gen 2 was distinct in appearance – gen 2 was pretty close to the 2008 Buick Invicta concept.
If one likes gen 2 better, then one can get, say, 2016 gen 2 for some years to come and be happy 🙂
Especially, it seems, that the dash screen and computer (Driver Information Center, DIC) in refreshed gen 2 (2014-2016) and in gen 3 (2017-) is the same, according to the current gen 3 photos.
Just gen 2 would be slightly slower, being heavier, and guzzling more gas, than gen 3; besides, gen 3 should have better visibility for the driver, than gen 2, where it suffers (driving gen 2 myself, I know for sure).
Has GM given out the prices yet ? I have never owned a Buick , but after seeing it at the NAIAS I’d like to see a comparison of the CT6 and LaCrosse . The car is very appealing to me . Will be interesting how both do in the marketplace . Buick might have a slight edge over Cadillac .
CT6 is a higher class vehicle in luxury, than any LaCrosse, so the LaCrosse will be priced way below CT6.
Besides, technically CT6 is a performance RWD (or RWD-biased AWD), like BMW and MB, having 3.0TT V6 engine as an option, while LaCrosse is more mainstream FWD (or FWD-biased AWD), and I’m pretty sure LaCrosse won’t get engines such as this 3.0TT (not to even mention V8 TT supposed to be an option for CT6 later on), because Buick is “middle class” in GM products. So, the two belong to different market segments and are barely comparable.
My guess is this new 3rd gen LaCrosse will be priced similarly to the 2nd gen (2010-2016) both in US and Canada; maybe 2-3-4K more for additional equipment and features not available on 2nd gen (such as front park assist together with automatic park assist, or massage seats).
No, pricing has not yet been announced for the LaCrosse. But my prediction is that it will start in the high $30,000s or low $40,000s.
The CT6 is on a completely platform that takes it to a much higher level than the LaCrosse, and will drive better, handle better, and do pretty much everything else better. The “edge” goes to the CT6 by a far margin… the only way the two are comparable is by way of exterior dimensions (both are full-size sedans). But aside from that, there is not comparison.
Will the 2017 Buick Lacrosse v6 be available without the stop/start function?
GM seems to want big people to buy SUVs and CUVs. They dont want them buying sedans.
Moreover, I hope they built it right the first time with quality in mind. I really hate receiving recall notices or visit a maintenance technician the first 5 yrs unless it is an oil change. Everytime I get a recall notice I feel like I must dumpt the car and go buy a more reliable car.
At GM the bean counters seem to be winning over quality assurance and quality control.
The new 2017 lacrosse is very nice but I wish it was larger where it counts hip, head and leg room. I also want more trunk space to go with that.