Dimensional Brief: 2017 Buick LaCrosse vs. Buick Lucerne
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Like it or not, the all-new 2017 Buick LaCrosse is a full-size vehicle. Sure, its length doesn’t span a full 200 inches like that of a “proper” full-sizer, such as a Buick Lucerne. But perhaps the exterior dimensions are not as important as the efficient use of space on the inside. We set out to find out in this latest installment of the GM Authority Dimensional Brief.
The Exterior
On the outside, there is no question that the Lucerne is bigger than the third-gen LaCrosse in every dimension: it’s longer with a longer wheelbase, wider, and taller. However, the new LaCrosse has a wider track — by 8 mm in the front and by 25 mm in the rear.
Buick has not yet stated how much the 2017 LaCrosse will weigh, so we can’t compare the curb weights of both vehicles just yet. But something tells us that the new LaCrosse will be lighter. But does the Lucerne’s larger exterior translate into more space on the inside? For the most part, it does.
The Interior
The Lucerne’s cabin is larger than the 2017 LaCrosse in these measurements:
- Front headroom
- Rear headroom
- Front legroom
- Rear legroom
- Front shoulder room
- Rear shoulder room
- Front hip room
- Rear hip room
Look closely at the actual numbers, though, and you will see that what the Lucerne has on the LaCrosse isn’t actually all that much when it comes to rear headroom, front legroom, and shoulder room. All this begs the question: is there room in the Buick lineup to make a vehicle larger and more full-size than the LaCrosse, perhaps something along the lines of the Buick Avenir Concept? Talk to us in the comments.
| Measurement | 2017 Buick LaCrosse | 2009 Buick Lucerne | + / - 2017 LaCrosse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in): | 114.4 | 115.6 | -1.2 |
| Overall length (in): | 197.5 | 203.2 | -5.7 |
| Overall width (in): | 73.2 | 73.8 | -0.6 |
| Overall height (in): | 57.5 | 58 | -0.5 |
| Track (front) (mm): | 62.9 | 62.6 | +0.3 |
| Track (rear) (in): | 63.1 | 62.1 | +1.0 |
| Curb weight (lb): | TBD | 4004 | N/A |
| Seating capacity: | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | Equal |
| Headroom (front) (in): | 38.4 | 39.5 | -1.1 |
| Headroom (rear) (in): | 37.1 | 37.6 | -0.5 |
| Legroom (front) (in): | 42 | 42.5 | -0.5 |
| Legroom (rear) (in): | 39.9 | 41 | -1.1 |
| Shoulder room (front) (in): | 57.7 | 58 | -0.3 |
| Shoulder room (rear) (in): | 56.6 | 57 | -0.4 |
| Hip room (front) (in): | 54.7 | 56.7 | -2.0 |
| Hip room (rear) (in): | 55 | 57 | -2.0 |
| Volumes | |||
| Passenger Volume (cu ft): | TBD | 108 | N/A |
| Cargo Volume (cu ft): | 14.2 | 17 | -2.8 |
| Fuel Tank (gal): | TBD | 18.5 | N/A |
| Measurement | 2017 Buick LaCrosse | 2009 Buick Lucerne | + / - 2017 LaCrosse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2905 | 2936 | -31 |
| Overall length (mm): | 5017 | 5161 | -144 |
| Overall width (mm): | 1859 | 1874 | -15 |
| Overall height (mm): | 1460 | 1473 | -13 |
| Track (front) (mm): | 1599 | 1591 | +8 |
| Track (rear) (mm): | 1602 | 1577 | +25 |
| Curb weight (kg): | TBD | 1816 | N/A |
| Seating capacity: | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | 5 (2 front / 3 rear) | Equal |
| Headroom (front) (mm): | 975 | 1004 | -29 |
| Headroom (rear) (mm): | 943 | 957 | -14 |
| Legroom (front) (mm): | 1067 | 1079 | -12 |
| Legroom (rear) (mm): | 1014 | 1051 | -37 |
| Shoulder room (front) (mm): | 1466 | 1473 | -7 |
| Shoulder room (rear) (mm): | 1437 | 1453 | -16 |
| Hip room (front) (mm): | 1390 | 1424 | -34 |
| Hip room (rear) (mm): | 1399 | 1445 | -46 |
| Volumes | |||
| Passenger Volume (L): | TBD | 3058 | N/A |
| Cargo Volume (L): | 402 | 481 | -79 |
| Fuel Tank (L): | TBD | 70 | N/A |
About The Figures
Buick Lucerne specs utilized include:
- 18-inch wheels
- Curb weight:
- CX trim level: 3764 pounds / 1707 kg
- CXL trim level: 3969 pounds / 1800 kg
- Super trim level: 4004 pounds / 1816 kg
- Lucerne offered two type of seating:
- 5 / 6 (2 or 3 front / 3 rear) or
- 5-passenger exclusively on the Lucerne Super trim level
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Too me a full size should be capable to carry 6 people and have a trunk at least 20 cu ft for luggage or other stuff. the trunk in the older lacrosse (2012 which i have ) you are lucky to have enough room for 2 bags of golf clubs or 2 piece of luggage. the interior could be a little roomier, it is not a true full size , for that matter there is not much in the market today which is actually a true full size.
If I’m not mistaken, 6 seater sedans are a history now – nobody does them anymore; Lucerne was pretty much one of the last (optional) 6 seaters, and the last truly American Buick sedan as well.
Anyway, Lucerne was somewhat lacking in passive safety department, according to e.g. IIHS crash tests, and, in 2011, was overall outdated in its powertrains and interior as well, so Lucerne discontinuation was not a huge loss, I guess.
As for the luggage, 20 cu ft is also a relative rarity now. Among American sedans, only Taurus and MKS have this kind of trunk size, with new Impala second after them. In contrast, 2nd gen LaCrosse is known for its small trunk (13.3 cu ft), and new 3rd gen LaCrosse is not much better – it’s just 14 cu ft. Probably these smaller trunk volumes are somehow OK in China (which is the primary market for 2nd gen and 3rd gen LaCrosse), so, unfortunately, GM didn’t really improve on this in the new 3rd gen.
In my own experience 2nd gen LaCrosse trunk by itself is OK for city grocery and stuff, it is relatively deep longitudinally, and folding rear seats help too – say, one can easily put disassembled furniture pieces there with the rear seats folded.
Where this small trunk becomes an issue is a long road trip or a trip to/from an airport with a car full of people – in this case one has to “play tetris” in the trunk to try to fit the luggage. Big SUV will radically solve this problem, but I’m not a huge fan of SUVs as a class of vehicles in principle. So, at these “tetris times” I even regretted I didn’t buy aforementioned Taurus or MKS or Impala, because indeed the LaCrosse’s trunk volume feels really lacking at these occasions.
I second your desire to be able to carry six-passengers. It’s nice to have that ability to squeeze one more in for short trips, and without the console the front seat feels so much roomier.
The current Lacrosse is SEVERELY lacking in trunk space, and while on paper the new model appears to be slightly larger, it’s still the smallest trunk in its class and smaller than most compact and sub-compact sedans too. Something similar to what the Impala offers (around 18 cu ft) would be most welcome.
Yes, indeed, 2nd gen LaCrosse was rightfully and universally bashed in the press for its small trunk size, and still the 3rd gen LaCrosse again comes disappointing in terms of trunk volume. Somehow, for GM, Luxury or near-Luxury car is mutually exclusive with big trunk size (except only the XTS).
This is really odd to me.
I also think the reason there are more trucks and suv’s on the road is because there is no more full size sedans and we have to resort to other bigger vehicles to fill the void such as these out of need not desire .
We looked at a 2014 LaCrosse to replace our Lucerne and found it to small for two car seats and another person plus a two kid stroller. Hopefully the 2017 will work otherwise we will likely switch to the Chevrolet Impala.
Ha, I’m not the only one fitting with family with kids into a sedan!
2017 LaCrosse probably won’t solve your case at all, and Impala may only solve this regarding the trunk volume (two kid stroller may fit) – cabin volume in Impala is pretty much the same as in the 2nd gen LaCrosse (they have exact same platform and wheelbase size).
I also happen to have a big family now, three kids now (6, 3, and infant), and we all fit into 2010 LaCrosse (2nd gen, pretty much the same thing as refreshed 2nd gen 2014-2016 LaCrosse), but we fit only because there is only one one-kid foldable stroller now (for the infant), and the elder kid (6 y/o) now sits on the booster seat in the back between infant car seat and another 3 y/o car seat.
Despite I’m not really a fan of SUVs in general, at times I admit it would be a better idea to own e.g. Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia or Buick Enclave (all three row 7 or 8 seaters) or something similar for the guys like me.
I went from an 07 Yukon XL Denali to a 2009 Lucerne (5 pass) to a 2014 LaCrosse. The trunk is the biggest disappointment with the LacCrosse vs. the Lucerne. We also have a 2010 Enclave – (we still have two out of four sons at home, and now a granddaughter) – the Enclave is the family wagon. I like the LaCrosse much better than the Lucerne but the small trunk really misses the mark. I might switch back to a Yukon for my next car purchase, especially if a diesel is finally available.
Buick no longer has big long boats…that will be left to Cadillac.
Yep, the last seriously “big boat” from Buick was the Lucerne exactly. Not anymore.
More than that, almost all Cadillac sedans also happen to have very modest trunks (only up to 15 cu ft in volume) – even the new super-duper CT6, which is pretty long, BTW. The only exception is XTS with its 18 cu ft.
Bring back a car like the Roadmaster!
Buick should build the avenir and scrap the lacross. I hope the wide windshield pillar on the new lacrosse has been made smaller not to block visibility like the present one.. I loved my lucerne(s).. Buick build a “real” buick sedan. I presently drive an xts cadillac and would definitely return to buick should they build a real full size car..Built in the USA not china..I’ll never own a chinese buick or cadillac
Yes, it seems that they solved the issue with wide windshield pillar (A-pillar) on the new LaCrosse, but I think this new LaCrosse will be their biggest sedan for the foreseeable future, and they won’t build anything really like the Avenir. So, I guess, XTS is better than any Buick sedans, now or in the future.
Instead of bringing out a completely new model like the Avenir hopefully Buick could make some adjustments to the LaCrosse to bring the size closer to what customers enjoyed with the Lucerne.
Buick should offer an ultra-luxury car . If only for shoppers that don’t want a Cadillac they can shop at Buick . That keeps the customers with GM . The LaCrosse looks so much more modern than the picture of the old Lucerne . I think we may see a bigger car coming from Buick after the CT6 has been on the market for a year . Buicks sheet metal has style , and even though the CT6 hasn’t even hit the market yet there is noise out there that the A&S styling is getting a bit stale . So yes , give Buick their chance at the luxury market .
Time marches on, what once was will never be again. Oh well.
the other GM brands are making new bold designs….but Cadillac is not….so if they build the Avenir it would be a threat to the CT6….Cadillac decided to keep the same ol A&S….Cadillac is the one with the stale designs….after they introduce a bigger bolder more stylish CT8…. than the Avenir could be built.
From reading these specs, I definitely think there is room in the Buick range for a full-sized sedan slotting above the 2017 Lacrosse. Scads of European automakers offer long-wheelbase versions of their large sedans: Buick should do the same. As for a name, maybe call it Lacrosse XL…or maybe, dare I say it, the Lucerne. Whether Buick will have the good sense to build it is another matter. But, although the Enclave is a gorgeous piece, not everyone can or wants to drive a crossover SUV.
Oh, yes, and that CT8 sedan that Cadillac was going to build but has since been rumoured to have been killed off? It should get built, too. I don’t care if they call it the CT8, the CT6 LWB, or something else: Just build it, please. Buyers want it; so do I, actually. And the brand needs it.
Its not a real fullsize if there is no column shifter or/and benchseats otherwiseise its a midsize..
Buick needs to get sportier again like the days of it’s glorious past. They need to build a muscle car or sports sedan like an AWD Grand National/GNX to be respected in the performance division. With Lexus and Cadillac building performance platforms, and FCA dominating tge performance scene, a buick would be a breath of fresh air. Buick needs to catch up and ditch the “old man image” It will only be then, that people will take buick more seriously. It has to fill the giant shoes that Pontiac left behind.