We don’t think it’s necessary to highlight how important of a market China is for the the Buick brand. It’s the brand’s largest market, with standards held extremely high. There’s certainly no identity crisis in China, as there has been in the U.S. for years.
Buick has priced the 2017 LaCrosse for the market at RMB 225,800, or roughly $34,895 USD, with prices topping out at RMB 339,800, or $52,513 USD.
The 2016 Buick LaCrosse skips the 3.6-liter LGX V6 option for China, with either a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder of 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder being the only choices. This also makes it much easier for the 2017 LaCrosse to qualify for fuel efficient vehicle credits in the country, where the government will subsidize a large portion of the cost.
Regarding differences between the U.S.-spec and Chinese spec LaCrosse, there aren’t many. Exterior and interior styling remains identical, and equipment mirrors American offerings, leading to a much higher price tag towards the top.
The biggest difference is the absence of an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with the Chinese 2017 LaCrosse working with either a six-speed auto, or seven-speed dual clutch automatic.
The 2017 Buick LaCrosse is expected to build upon the incredible sales force in the past, with 950,000 sold worldwide since 2009.
Comments
The 2017 Buick LeCrosse will have a base price of about $35K as that’s a lot of bang for the buck given that like Cadillac’s XT5, there’s only a single engine option being the LGX 3.6L DOHC-4v V6; but you’ve got to wonder whether Buick should consider featuring the LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo as it doesn’t make significantly less power and should be less expensive as well as being more fuel efficient.