why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 5 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Buick LaCrosse

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Buick LaCrosse Review

By KBB.com Editors

If you've been hearing the words "renaissance" and "Buick" in the same sentence, the word "LaCrosse" is also probably also in there somewhere. That's because this redesigned vehicle has the good looks, dynamic ride and modern feel that Buicks of recent memory - Enclave notwithstanding - have sorely lacked. These features really help the 2010 LaCrosse shine, especially when compared to other premium-leaning sedans such as the Lincoln MKZ, Hyundai Genesis and Lexus ES 350. While the Buick brand still has some work to do in getting back into the hearts and minds of the car-buying public, we think that the well-sorted LaCrosse is a very fine step in the right direction.

You'll Like This Car If...

If comfort, modern styling and value-for-money are all things you want in a mid-size premium sedan, the well-rounded 2010 Buick LaCrosse should be on your must-see list.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Although Buick has certainly stepped up its game, the brand still doesn't quite carry the same luxury cache as Lexus, nor possess the sporty driving dynamics of others in the segment, like the Acura TL. And, unlike LaCrosses of the past, this sedan does not offer a V8.

What's New for 2010

The redesigned 2010 LaCrosse is not the stately Buick sedan that your grandfather drove. With a fresh look, a just-right price and a much more engaging ride than you'd expect, this four-door is sure to make people rethink the Buick brand.

Driving the LaCrosse

Driving Impressions Those looking for a daily driver and comfortable highway cruiser would not be disappointed by the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. It's exceptionally quiet and smooth (as a large Buick sedan should...

be), but it also delivers surprisingly eager driving dynamics - especially noticed when driven side-by-side with the Lexus ES 350, the vehicle the LaCrosse is really setting itself up against. The interior is well-designed, with stitching and faux wood details that serve to enhance the vehicle without looking cheap. While there are three engines on offer - a 2.4-liter in-line four, 3.0-liter V6 and 3.6-liter V6 – the lone available transmission is a six-speed automatic which allows for "manual" gear changes via the gear selector. Unlike some of its competitors, those wanting added all-weather on-road security can opt for all-wheel drive on the mid-level CXL trim with the 3.0-liter engine.

Favorite Features

Spacious Interior
Even with the front seats moved as far back as possible, rear-seat passengers still have enough legroom to sit comfortably, no matter the length of the trip.

CXS Ice-Blue Interior Lighting
When the sun goes down, the interior of the LaCrosse is bathed in a soft blue light, emanating subtly from multiple points inside the vehicle. This "mood lighting" is a nice touch that adds to the sedan's premium feel.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Details

Interior

Inside is really where the new LaCrosse design comes together. Flowing lines, seam stitching and soft-touch surfaces abound. All buttons and switches have a substantial, upscale feel and are logically laid out. The USB port is located in the center console, and although it is located towards the back of the bin (making it a little difficult to reach), it is thankfully at the top. We found the trunk to be a bit of a mixed bag; although we appreciated how quickly (and completely) it opened, the usable space inside was seriously impeded by two trunk lid supports that take up some considerable real estate on each side.

Exterior

No Buick would be complete without the iconic waterfall grille and portholes (on top of the hood, for the first time), and the 2010 LaCrosse sports both outlined in attention-getting chrome. A dramatically sculpted high beltine - known as "sweep spear" in Buick parlance - stretches from the front of the vehicle to the rear, which, when combined with the available 19-inch wheels, make the redesigned LaCrosse look more athletic than anything else the brand has on offer – yet. For a smooth, unbroken appearance in the rear of the vehicle, the exhaust tips exit via the rear fascia instead of under it.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A 2010 Buick LaCrosse CX comes equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 (a 2.4-liter in-line four will be available soon), six-speed automatic transmission, eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, OnStar, automatic air conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels. Moving up to CXL territory adds halogen fog lamps, 18-inch wheels, dual zone automatic air conditioning, auto-dimming rear mirror, universal home remote and leather seating. The top-of-the-line CXS is additionally outfitted with a 3.6-liter V6, 18-inch chrome wheels, heated and cooled front seats and a harmon/kardon 11-speaker sound system with USB port.

Optional Equipment

Looking to outfit your 2010 LaCrosse in every techie extra it offers? Then opt for Bluetooth, the harmon/kardon sound system, rear park assist, navigation, head-up display and the rear seat entertainment system with noise-cancelling headphones. If comfort is more important to you, add the heated and ventilated front seats, four-way driver's lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, heated and power-folding side mirrors and keyless start. And if you want the LaCrosse to look and behave a bit sportier on the road, add the xenon headlights, rear h-arm suspension, 19-inch all-season tires and chassis with continuously variable real time damping and sport mode selectivity.

Under the Hood

Motivation for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse comes from either a 3.0-liter V6 (CX and CXL trims) or a 3.6-liter V6 (standard on the CXS). Later in the year, a 2.4-liter in-line four engine will be standard on the CX trim. All engines employ direct injection and are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions to help maximize fuel economy.

2.4-liter in-line four
182 horsepower @ 6700 rpm
172 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 (estimated)

3.0-liter V6
255 horsepower @ 6900 rpm (FWD)
252 horsepower @ 6900 rpm (AWD)
217 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5100 rpm (FWD)
215 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5100 rpm (AWD)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 (FWD), 16/25 (AWD)

3.6-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
289 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Buick LaCrosse vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Buick LaCrosse Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 110 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.7/10

Styling

9.1/10

It's a beauty!

By Florida (FL) on Friday, May 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Luxury, great engine, technology equipped"

Cons: "Poor lateral visibility"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The 2011 Lacrosse CXS has everything you need. It's one of the smoothest rides I've ever had and the HUD technology experience brings the driver to a totally different level!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Not the Buick Quality Im used to

By LeSabre81 (RI) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,900

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Price/Lease, Fun to drive, Comfortable"

Cons: "City MPG, Quality, Storage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"The car itself is sub par. In looks and features it's packed for the price, however the quality is not there. After 9 months and almost 7900 miles on it there are so many squeaks and rattles that according to the dealer "doesn't effect the driveabillity of the car. So its something WE just have to live with" I'm thinking really? I could have saved $10,000 and got a foreign make but Ive always had and loved a GM vehicle. Maybe its just my car as I have a few (4) friends with the same car with various "packages" and they have been "good" so far. As far as driving goes the car is comfortable and fun to drive, however seem sluggish at times or like the transmission isn't quite sure what gear it wants."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Regretting The Purchase

By VetteDriver (KS) on Thursday, March 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 4,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great styling, rich interior, excellent quality."

Cons: "Terrible driveability, 5,000 rpm shifts, gas hog."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"My first review of the 2012 Lacrosse was all great at one month of ownership. But I soon noticed the gas mileage was terrible and no where Buick's rating. At 4,ooo miles the break-in period is over and the noticeable defect in this car is glaring! The transmission is set to shift at over 4,000 rpm. When accelerating on highways the shift points are at 5,000 rpm and over. The car practically redlines at every shift until you reach cruising speed. Not only is this very disappointing, crashes the gas mileage, and adds to engine wear, it becomes very uncomfortable to your senses. The V-6 engine has more than enough power to shift like a "normal" car but I found Buick has done this on purpose. They call this normal! Their customer service line blew me off when I complained about this situation. They acted like it was the very first complaint they have received about this. A quick search on-line finds many complaints about this high shift situation. A new program to re-set shift points is all it would take to stop the growing complaints, but Buick is ignoring the problem. After two months of driving this car I can't wait to get rid of it and back to a "normal" driving car. All the other amenities it offers are negated by this problem. Too bad Buick!"

25 people out of 28 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great car, some minor limitations.

By Stew (CA) on Friday, February 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 26,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Needs more in-cabin storage for incidentals, my only complaint. At 70 MPH is getting almost 30 MPG, in-town not so hot, maybe 18 - 20. First Buick ever, I have owned over 60 cars. Nice styling too."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Good value

By Gpop (AZ) on Friday, January 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 17,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Feels good on the road. Little choppy in town."

Cons: "Limited front passenger storage."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I like the car. Good feel and power. Only negative is the rear window and pillars. Very difficult to see side view when backing up. Narrow line of site."

22 people out of 23 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

great styling; responsive; loaded with extras

By norky (NC) on Saturday, January 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun to drive"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We love the back-up camera, it has saved us from a few accidents with civilians/inanimate objects. Plus the radar alerts for blind spots in side mirrors."

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 110 reviews