MSRP: $33,000-48,495
8.2 /10
Rating
Pros
- Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension
- 300-pound chassis weight loss
- Whisper-quiet highway cruising
Cons
- Overpriced fully-loaded Premium
- Late collision warning timing
- AWD lowers fuel efficiency
2017 Buick Lacrosse Review with Vyocar
A big, quiet cruiser that finally feels poised and modern, proof Buick can build a sedan worth a second look.
Overview
Buick put in the hard work for this generation, aiming squarely at a younger demographic while leveraging its long history with luxurious, comfortable cruisers. Moving beyond the last-generation LaCrosse felt like a revelation. Shedding its badge-biased image wasn’t easy, but the redesigned, brand spanking new model, drawing clear inspiration from stunning concept cars like the 2015 Avenir and 2016 Avista, finally looked the part of a stylish, spacious full-size luxury contender. Built on a lighter structure and boasting a stronger structure, it ditched the former 6-speed and V-6–powered sedans for a combined powertrain featuring a smooth 3.6-liter V6 paired with a responsive 8-speed automatic, delivering more power (310 horses, though we all dreamt of that 400 horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 prototype!) and better economy – nearly six mpg better highway than before.
Stepping inside revealed Buick’s greatest trick: an impressively quiet cabin that’s become the brand’s calling card, exceeding even the previous model. It felt genuinely luxurious, offering more passenger room than key rivals like the Lexus ES 350 or Toyota Avalon, making it a truly comparable pick in this competitive segment. While not quite the home run against the very best, this was undeniably a good car, a likeable, nice evolution that finally gave Buick a proper flagship status full-size sedan worthy of respect, proving General Motors could nail the fundamentals of comfort, space, and refinement without needing an American V8 like the departed Chevrolet SS.
Honestly, driving it daily, I was astonished by how composed and comfortable this big sedan was, a world apart from the smaller compact Verano or even the popular cute utes like the Encore. It held its own against the 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Nissan Maxima, feeling every bit as luxurious as the Kia Cadenza. For the good price, it offered a compelling option packed with the latest safety technology features that genuinely impressed, marking a significant step towards market dominance for Buick in large sedans. This wasn’t just a Buick fix; it felt like a genuine contender.
What’s New for 2017
Redesigned from the ground up, this wasn’t just a gentle update; Buick sheds its old skin completely. Forget the previous model – the 2017 LaCrosse arrived riding on GM’s excellent, new Epsilon II chassis, resulting in a nearly 300-pound weight loss that you feel immediately. Honestly, hopping in for the first time, the difference was stark; it simply handles with more grace. They nixed the eAssist mild-hybrid setup, making the smooth, advertised 310-horsepower 3.6-liter high-feature V-6 engine the sole choice, now mated to a much smarter eight-speed automatic instead of the former gearbox. Paired with this drivetrain, the car feels genuinely quicker: 0-60 takes about 6.1 seconds – a solid 0.5 second improvement – and it stops with more confidence too.
The sleeker, sportier look wasn’t just for show; it helped attract a younger buyer, and the revised suspension delivered an excellent, controlled ride that could even feel downright sporty for a big sedan, especially if you opted for the optional sport package. Crucially, they managed to make an already quiet car even quieter, which says something. While they offered an all-wheel-drive option for the first time, the standard front-driver felt perfectly composed. Comparing it directly to the outgoing model, the 300-pound reduction and new chassis were hard work paying off – this Buick didn’t just drive nicely, it drove with a newfound poise.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Pick
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Forget the base 4-cylinder – the sole engine choice was the updated, smooth-shifting 3.6-liter high-feature V-6, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered 310 horsepower and 282 lb-ft torque (a 6 horsepower and 18 lb-ft torque bump over the outgoing powerplant), making it a strong performer for this 3730-pound sedan. It could accelerate to 60 mph in a respectable 6.1 seconds (a 0.5 second improvement), hitting the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 97.9 mph. While demure at idle and whisper quiet cruising, it sounds good when you rev towards its 6800-rpm power peak – a surprisingly pleasant growl, though no active exhaust system like the Chevrolet Camaro or Toyota Corolla Apex.
The transmission was generally excellent, offering faster, quicker shifts in Sport mode, though kickdown could feel a touch deliberate sometimes; using the paddle shifters for a manual click yielded prompt upshifts and downshifts. The real revelation was the chassis. Shedding 300 pounds and built on a stiff, new structure, it felt composed over broken pavement, soaking up impacts without reverberation. Standard front-wheel-drive handling was sufficiently alert and responsive, a world away from the old front-driver’s flabby, dull feel, with minimal torque steer thanks to the HiPer Strut front suspension.
Opt for the Dynamic Drive Package (adaptive suspension with magnetically-charged fluid shocks offering active dampening control), and the ballgame changes: hit the console button for Sport mode, and the suspension sharpens, body roll reduces significantly, steering resistance increases with a quicker ratio, and the throttle becomes more responsive. It transformed this large cruiser into something genuinely engaging, posting a 0.84 g skidpad performance and a 26.8-second figure-eight time at 0.66 average g – impressive for its size. While not a sports sedan like a Cadillac CTS-V, the improvement was massive.
Even on standard 18-inch wheels with the soft-riding suspension tuning, it delivered a supremely cushy ride, glides like it’s on a deep-pile carpet, living up to Buick’s tranquil, comfortable reputation and exceeding customer expectations for luxury ride comfort. The brakes felt confident, halting from 70 mph in a decent 173 feet. Honestly, after the first drive, I was astonished – this 2017 model wasn’t just good; with the optional adaptive dampers and 20-inch wheels, it approached genuine fun, a bargain compared to pricier segment rivals like the Lexus ES 350 in terms of driving dynamics. A huge leap over lesser models and past Buicks.
Fuel Efficiency and Real World Testing
Slipping behind the wheel of the 2017 Buick LaCrosse, I put its fuel performance to the test across city traffic, suburban roads, and relaxed highway cruise segments. My FWD model, powered by a refined and responsive 3.6L V6 pumping out 310 horsepower, delivered an observed 22.3 mpg over 210 miles of mixed driving, roughly 65% city, 35% highway. That nearly matched its EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/31 highway/25 combined, impressive for a full-size sedan. The AWD version, though, felt the pinch of curb weight: same near-identical driving split netted me just 21.1 mpg over 180 miles, trailing its EPA rating (20 city/29 highway/23 combined). Why the dip? Added grip from AWD does penalize mileage, but tech like the engine stop/start system (which hushed the engine at red lights) and cylinder deactivation system (kicking in during light throttle moments on the open road) helped optimize efficiency. Still, if you drive economically, expect real-world gas mileage to hover close to EPA numbers, a trade-off for that silky 310 horsepower in daily drives, much like what enthusiasts might notice in a Mazda 6 Signature during spirited yet efficient runs.
Interior and Comfort
Sliding into the 2017 Buick LaCrosse felt like entering a sanctuary designed around Big & Tall Comfort, a clear nod to the gorgeous Avenir show-car cabin. The spacious layout greeted front occupants with a supportive, comfortable seating position offering generous legroom, headroom, shoulder room, and hip room. Tall Guy B wouldn’t bump his head, and Big Guy A had ample space to stretch. Material quality impressed immediately: soft leather adorned key touchpoints, nicely grained plastics covered the dashboard and broad center console, and soft-touch surfaces dominated the upper instrument panel, lending a truly high-grade feel and upscale vibe that elevated it above typical GM products. This high-grade look extended to details mostly, though fake wood trim on the center console and fake stitching on the dash top near the corners reminded you this wasn’t Cadillac money. The dashboard design, featuring a rising center console, felt modern and driver-focused.
Moving back, the expansive rear seat offered big-car legroom, making it a genuinely comfortable rear seat for adults – a huge win over rivals like the Lexus ES regarding passenger room. While rear headroom was decent thanks to a cleverly sculpted roof slope, the significant floor hump made the middle passenger position less ideal for long trips. Rear-seat passengers also appreciated the quiet serenity. Buick’s QuietTuning lived up to its name; cruising the highway revealed a whisper-quiet cabin, effectively muting wind and road noise, even over bad pavement. It was a core strength, making conversations effortless. Functionality was mostly good. Storage compartments were reasonably sized and placed. However, the much-discussed GM’s new electronic shifter – a BMW knock-off shifter using clustered buttons – was a low point.
First-time users found reverse selection confusing, requiring an awkward up-and-over action instead of a simple lever movement. It replaced a straightforward mechanical unit with unnecessary complexity. Similarly, some climate-control buttons and rubberlike buttons on the drab steering wheel (still sporting the old monochrome logo, not the sleeker modern colorized badge) felt small buttons and required a glance away from the road. The turn signal stalk and wiper knobs felt solid, though. Unloading or loading a child-seat was manageable thanks to the large doors, though the roof slope required a slight duck. Overall, the Lacrosse’s interior delivered impressive fit, finish, style, and space, prioritizing a serene, comfortable experience, even if some controls, particularly that shifter, felt like a difficult accessory to love.
Cargo & Practicality
Don’t let the sleek profile fool you; this big sedan offers surprisingly usable space. Opening the trunk reveals a decently large trunk boasting 15 cu ft of trunk volume, featuring a mostly flat trunk floor that makes sliding gear in a breeze. While the gooseneck hinges are thankfully covered hinges, protecting your luggage, the bulkhead near the wheelhouses creates a slight height above trunk floor at the very front, and the trunk opening itself has a modest upsweep of console that can slightly hinder loading taller boxes – something I noticed trying to fit a large cooler.
Inside the cabin, interior storage is generally thoughtful for a luxury cruiser. The center console features a squarish covered console box deep enough for larger items, topped with covered cup holders and a handy slot for wireless charging of cell phones. You also get a split-level glove box (the upper section perfect for manuals, the lower a shallow covered bin for smaller items) and useful storage pockets on the backs of the front seats and doors. Rear seat flexibility is solid thanks to a standard 60/40 split rear seat; folding them down via levers in the trunk significantly expands the cargo area, though the resulting load floor isn’t perfectly flat.
A pull-down center armrest for rear passengers includes more covered cup holders. While the generous 103 cu ft passenger volume ensures comfort, accessing that rear space is straightforward through the four doors. One neat feature is the small passage from trunk to rear-seat area, handy for skis or long items. You’ll find USB ports and auxiliary inputs scattered for convenience. Overall, it delivers practical cargo & practicality for its class, balancing a large trunk with well-considered cabin storage solutions, even if loading very bulky items requires a slight shuffle.
Tech & Connectivity
Buick packed this cockpit with tech goods, centered around an 8-inch touchscreen running Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system. The standard touchscreen information and entertainment system offered IntelliLink’s simple interface for core tasks like calling up audio, tuning and saving radio presets, or navigating apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration came standard, seamlessly projecting your phone onto the big IntelliLink screen, letting Siri or Google handle messages or “Call Mom Home” – though the car’s native voice recognition could be finicky, often replying “I don’t recognize that command” to casual phrases like “local gym” or even “mixed nuts” during my testing.
Basic voice controls worked for dialing or selecting a Sirius station name like “First Wave” or “Classic Rewind”. Beneath the screen sat a pair of dials and buttons for quick climate and audio finesse, though adjusting the climate controls often required a repetitive-push on the outer dials to switch functions, a layout that felt more straightforward in a Mercedes-Benz E350 I recently drove. The gauge cluster mixed traditional analog “needle” gauges with a crisp electronic vehicle-information readout and optional virtual speedometer. Connectivity was strong: Bluetooth streaming, satellite radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, auxiliary inputs, and USB ports were plentiful.
Wireless charging was a welcome perk for compatible phones. The 8-speaker audio system was decent, though upgrading brought Bose units with active noise cancellation. While keyless entry and power seats were expected, the system wasn’t without quirks compared to other systems – navigating Sirius station names required more steps than tuning by station number or name, and the voice prompts could feel intrusive. It delivered the essentials (backup camera, navigation) and modern must-haves competently, if not always with the absolute latest voice controls polish.
Safety
Buick didn’t skimp on keeping you safe. Every base LaCrosse rolled out standard with a crystal-clear rearview camera, essential rear parking assist, and crucial blind-spot monitoring (Side Blind Zone with Lane Change alerts). Stepping up unlocked the goodies: the $445 Driver Confidence Package 1 (available on mid Essence trim) added lane-keep assist (which gently nudges if the car senses drifting) and Front Automatic Braking with forward collision alerts, ready to slam the brakes if an impending collision is detected – though in my test car, the warning sometimes honestly felt late on fast highway merges.
For the ultimate cocoon, the top-of-the-line Premium trim offered a near full complement of options, including Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (a lifesaver backing out of spots), Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control (brilliant in stop-and-go traffic, smoothly matching speeds down to a full stop and ready to automatically move forward when the lead car accelerates, though requiring a three-second pause before it would re-engage the system after a full halt – noticeable in heavy jams), and an enhanced forward collision system.
It felt comprehensive, crossing the finish line against rivals like the Ford Fusion or Sonata regarding available driver assistance. While additional electronic safety devices like the head-up instrument display were cool, the core driver-assistance technologies worked well, offering peace of mind without constant false alarms. The teen-driver limit setting was a thoughtful parental touch. While vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra offered some basics cheaper, the LaCrosse’s suite, especially on the Premium, felt substantial and well-integrated for the segment.
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Peace of mind comes standard with a transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty covering 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s solid peace of mind against unexpected gremlins. The real backbone is the powertrain warranty, stretching out to a reassuring 6 years or 70,000 miles, covering the engine, transmission, and other vital guts – a major plus point for long-term confidence, especially compared to some rivals. Buick Customer Care also throws in complimentary roadside assistance for the duration of the bumper-to-bumper warranty, including towing, jump-starts, and lockout service, something I thankfully haven’t needed yet but appreciate knowing is there.
Routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations aren’t bundled free under a specific maintenance plan, but your dealer can outline scheduled maintenance costs upfront. OnStar’s basic plan included for the first few years offers added security features. While not as flashy as some CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) programs’ extended terms on used models, the core factory warranty coverage is genuinely competitive. You also get loaner vehicles typically offered by dealers if your car needs warranty work, a nice touch I’ve found makes the process less painful. It’s a straightforward, no-cost safety net for the initial ownership years.
Final Verdict
Settling in after a week behind the wheel, the 2017 LaCrosse emerges as a genuinely good car and a strong update that largely fixes the previous model’s shortcomings. It delivers core Buick virtues exceptionally well: a supremely comfortable cabin that’s impressively quiet, coupled with handsome styling that finally looks the part, much like the timeless appeal once seen in the Buick Reatta. For buyers seeking a refined, large cruiser offering affordable luxury at its base prices, it’s a compelling confident choice among front-drive sedans.
The leap in athleticism and interior quality is significant, packed with brand spanking new tech and new technology features. However, climbing the price ladder to the higher levels reveals diminishing returns; it gets expensive quickly, making you question if you’re truly willing to pay that premium over rivals. While very likeable, it’s not quite the complete home run – a few small details, particularly the frustrating voice recognition system, remain a letdown and a pity in an otherwise polished package.
You just expect better from GM in this segment. Overall, though, this redesigned Buick nails the fundamentals, offering serene comfort, strong value in the mid-trims, and a much-needed shot of modern relevance for the model lineup. It’s a car you enjoy simply being in, waiting in traffic feels less tedious, marking a solid step forward.
More images of the 2017 Buick Lacrosse
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