As GM’s cross-town rival, Ford, discontinues all sedan in the U.S. market, sedans remain “significant” to General Motors – according to the automaker’s CEO, Mary Barra. Some concrete evidence of this notion lies with the upcoming Buick LaCrosse refresh, which has just been spied by our photographers.
Expected for the 2020 model year, the LaCrosse mid cycle enhancement will likely consist of new front and rear ends. It apperas that the front will take on a more squinty-eyed appearance with narrow headlights and a more upright grille – similar to the design direction of the 2018 Buick Regal. The camo makes it difficult to glean what updates the rear end will get, but wouldn’t be surprised to see rear lights adopt a similar horizontal shape as the Regal Sportback (pictured below)
Currently, the LaCrosse is Buick’s largest sedan, and it might soon become GM’s only mainstream/premium full-size sedan – if rumors of the Chevy Impala being discontinued turn out to be true, as the model got a whopping three updates for the 2019 model year. Even so, GM has shown more confidence in sedans than cross-town rival Ford, as it recently introduced refreshed the 2019 Cruze and 2019 Malibu, with other passenger cars like the 2019 Spark and 2019 Camaro also getting updates.
Expect to see the LaCrosse facelift get announced either late this year or early in 2019, and reach the market as a 2020 model year vehicle.
About Buick LaCrosse
The Buick LaCrosse is a full-size premium sedan that slots above the compact Buick Verano and midsize Buick Regal. The current, third-generation LaCrosse was introduced for the 2017 model year. The vehicle is based on the long wheelbase variant of the GM E2 platform. The short-wheelbase variant of the same platform is shared with the sixth-generation Buick Regal and ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2018 model introduced several new colors, the GM 9-speed automatic transmission in place of the 2017 model’s 8-speed. It also added a new standard powertrain in the form of the mild-hybrid 2.5L engine with eAssist coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, the 2018 LaCrosse Avenir is introduced to serve as the range-topping model. The 2019 LaCrosse gets a new LaCrosse Sport Touring model along with new exterior colors.
For North America, the Buick LaCrosse is built exclusively at the GM Detroit Hamtramck factory operated by GM USA. A GM China factory produces the vehicle for China.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- Buick LaCrosse information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Buick sales results
- Running Buick LaCrosse sales results
- Running Buick sales results
Comments
I am glad to see this and GM keeping with it.
But then I just saw unsold 16 and 17 models still on dealer lots does not give me much security for the Future
I assume this will be offered in China and will keep it viable for us in small numbers. It really is a nice car.
It really is a great car. Very underrated but most people are stupid and just have the sheep mentality unfortunately.
The verdict is still out on whether Miss Mary at the helm can keep GM fresh…There are some good vehicles, but finer details are still being missed and Cadillac is still in limbo.
Let’s hope…
I think it looks ridiculous! But I also thought that the ’18 does too. Love the looks of both of them! Sure wish they looked that way when I was still buying sedans!
So if the Lacrosse is getting a refresh, than I guess the Impala is probably the one getting the axe. That’s a shame. I would have preferred a next generation Impala over a current Lacrosse.
Yup – Keep the Impala (and add AWD) for mainstreem customers and the CT6 for the luxury market
Darimar, it doesn’t make sense to keep Lacrosse over the Impala. I bet any of the other manufacturers would love to have the Impala to market. GM or its dealers are not even using the awards the Impala has received. Why would GM axe the best Impala they ever built? Lets hope someone at GM is reading what is reported here.
Chevrolet recommended taking Equinox and Traverse customers and twisting their arm around and slamming their head against the Impalas hood until they decided to buy one, but thats not working out too well either…….
I like the Impala for the record, but you can’t really force people to buy something that they don’t want in most cases…….
“Look at all the awards the Impala has won…..” -Thats nice….where is the Equinox?
However, it is refresh Lacrosse or all new Impala ( I guess that probably be all new Impala) , we are now sure GM doesn’t want to exit full-size sedan market.
Ya, I was wondering about that myself. The 3rd gen Lacrosse is only 2 years old with only about 20,000 cars sold last year. In the meantime, the current Impala is almost 6 years old with 75,000 cars sold in 2017. I feel that the Impala would get the refresh first as it is not only older but also leads this segment of the market. Idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Common Sense would keep the Impala with the numbers you posted on sales you posted.
DOA
I’m on my second Lacrosse, had a 2015, and now have a 2018 Lacrosse Premium AWD with confidence #2 package, sunroof, and nav/bose and 18″ wheels. Love the car, looks great, plenty of room, extremely quiet and smooth, seats are very comfortable, and most of the technology is practical and works well.
There are some improvements in my opinion that can be made on the vehicle for the future.. for one better color choices for both the interior and exterior. I currently have the Pepperdust Metallic with the light neutral. It’s a nice color but I wouldn’t want the same color for the next one. A light titanium option for the interior would be a nice change from the tan with the cocoa trim.
In terms of options for the vehicle, the Intellibeam headlights would be a nice addition. Also, having owned a Park Avenue Ultra and Lucerne in the past, I can’t understand why Buick doesn’t put the auto rain-sensing wipers in the Lacrosse. It’s something that I got used to in the past and was a nice feature. They put the technology in lower end Buick models like the Encore and Cascada. It’s disappointing that they don’t use it in the Lacrosse. The last small improvement would be a larger wireless phone charger, as my iPhone X with it’s case can’t fit into the current charging slot.
Overall it’s a great car and I will strongly consider another one when my lease matures in 2.5 years on this one. I don’t want to drive an SUV, I certainly hope Buick doesn’t go the route of Ford and discontinue all sedans.
I’m sorry but there’s no ‘wow’ factor with the exterior. Where it could have been Avenir Concept it’s just a long piece of toast.
The Lexus ES reached its commercial success because of the wow factor in the design, right? 😉
Totally agree. The Avenir was muscular, especially from the B-pillar back. It looked very Buick, but in a contemporary way. The LaCrosse we actually got looks totally generic in profile (arguably Hyundai-like) and the rear is just forgettable. I think the previous model still looks better.
Looks like another Mazda copycat to me. Why can”t anybody come up with their own design anymore?
The biggest difference between Ford and GM is Ford’s cars are old and need to be replaced where GM still has time to refresh their cars mainly because they are newer .
After 2020 we’ll see just how many cars GM is willing to axe . If GM ends up following suit neither automaker will ever be able to regain the passenger car market in the U.S .
Lexus , Genesis , and the Europeans will fight for car sales in every segment and that puts alot of pressure on Cadillac being a prestige automaker . You can see now where GM just might let Cadillac go it alone .
GM should get rid of the XTS and put Impala on that AWD chassis . Everything under the skin is the same .
i want to know what you foreign car lovers are looking at , these models from japan are the most ugly pieces of twisted metal on the market . the only wow factor is how ugly that is. driving a lacrosse , i’am asked- that’s is smart looking design what is it ?? these large sedans are still a lot smaller then they were in the past and but perform and get much gas mileage . there is still a l need for some people who don’t want a suv. although the market has declined ,you don’t see any advertising for American sedans vs imports . good job Buick , my thoughts are 2 points need to be addressed, although you are a premium division the prices have increased so that the middle class buyer is pushed out of your market and most of all –Buick being a AMERICAN auto all of is models must be assembled in AMERICA and be proud of it .come on Mary step up to the plate
We’ve got a LaCrosse Sport Touring version that we have loved since day 1. But trade in time will take me back to a mid-size crossover, maybe the Blazer or whatever Buick decides to add to the mix. I’m at the age now where it’s a bit difficult to get into any car without some effort and without hitting my head. Originally, we had planned on a new LaCrosse – but it was you guys who advised that the LaCross and the Impala were likely doomed. Fake News?!!!
Wouldn’t it make more sense to drop the LaCrosse and XTS and instead do a MCE on the Impala, add the 9 speed and AWD, freshen up the interior and revise the front and rear styling. The LaCrosse seems like the dead man walking in the GM lineup and I’m still seeing 2016 and 2017 leftovers whereas Impala’s are all 2018’s.
To differentiate Buick more from Chevy, I would keep a mid size (Regal) and large (LaCrosse) sedan in the lineup, but go with standard AWD and higher power options. I love my 2017 AWD dynamic drive LaCrosse, but would love it even more with another 75-100 hp, little sportier seats, Brembo brakes, and a few more dollars spent on the interior materials. It’s a darn shame people aren’t buying LaCrosses with the active suspension and the twin clutch AWD. This drive train is as good as Audi’s Quattro and they sell the heck out of them.
I did a google search on comparing the 2018 Impala to the 2018 LaCrosse.Despite the fact the Impalas wheelbase is 2.3 inches shorter most or the Impalas interior deminsions were bigger. That included the trunk space it also had bigger brakes and more HP and TQ. With only a slight upgrade in interior material makes the Lacrosse not worth the extra money they want. So hopefully they will upgrade the 2020 Lacrosse without upgrading the price. That being said I hope they keep both vehicles.
Look up an artical by the Ashbury report comparing the 2018 Impala and the 2018 Lacrosse Tell me why GM would offer you less in the Lacrosse and charge you more?
I love my 2017 Buick Lacrosse. I did have some kinks I had to work out in this one, which I was not pleased with but all the same. It is a great car and ride. I have been a Buick owner for many years of many sizes. I do not want an SUV. I hope Buick keeps its Lacrosse in the line up. But as other sedans go by the wayside, the Lacrosse might be too expensive to buy at that time. No competition. There are always good and bad about all models and sizes. Everyone has different tastes in cars. It is good to have a variety to chose from. It seems the auto market is forcing people into SUV’S. That is a shame. I really hope I don’t have to go to a foreign car next time around. There are a lot of good American made sedans out there right now. In time I think they will return. We just have to be patient.
My wife has a 2010 Buick Lacrosse. It’s still a beautiful car and we love driving it. It’s a CXS model with the 285 hp 3.6 engine. It’s jewel red in color with Cashmere leather heated and cooled seats. We have the 19 inch chrome wheels. I had the grill replaced with a chromed mesh (Jaguar look) . Everywhere we drive or park this car…we get compliments on how beautiful it is. One gentleman recently had to know “who owns that Buick” in the parking lot (at my wife’s doctors office). She thought it might have been involved in an accident or whatever. When she said it was her’s… The man said it was the most beautiful car he had ever seen. I say this because I believe the body design on this car is nice and all it needed was some cosmetic change to “spruce it up” . The grill was the difference that set it apart. I think that they over did it a bit with the new body style. If they make appealing cosmetic changes every year ( like Mercedes and others}, they would have better sales. One thing I wish this car had was a “heads up display” on the windshield.