The 2019 Buick LaCrosse ranks in the top half of our large car class. It has a high safety score, great fuel economy, and roomy seating, but an abundance of unimpressive interior pieces and a small trunk keep it from ranking higher.
The 2019 Buick LaCrosse's #4 ranking is based on its score within the 2019 Affordable Large Cars category. Currently the Buick LaCrosse has a score of 8.1 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 31 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Yes, the 2019 LaCrosse is a very good used car. Its standard four-cylinder engine is supplemented by an eAssist mild-hybrid system that helps return the best gas mileage numbers among all large cars. If you prioritize performance over fuel economy, you can find LaCrosse models with powerful V6 engines. This sedan offers a comfortable ride and seating, and it features a long list of user-friendly technology. It does have some drawbacks, including subpar cabin quality and less trunk space than most class rivals.
We analyzed 31 Buick LaCrosse reviews – along with reliability ratings, fuel economy estimates, and more – to help you decide if the 2019 LaCrosse is the right used car for you.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain objective, we don't accept expensive gifts or trips from automakers, and an outside team manages the advertising on our site.
Based on listings for the 2019 Buick LaCrosse, the average list price is $21,928. Prices range from $29,570 to $47,070 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.
The 2019 LaCrosse’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $27,400, or $5,480 per year. That’s about average for the class.
Buick introduced the Sport Touring trim for the 2019 LaCrosse, which is the only major difference between it and the 2018 model. This trim mostly adds some enhanced exterior design elements. The 2019 LaCrosse was the final model produced for the North American market.
Compare the 2018 and 2019 LaCrosse »
Here are the key changes for the Buick LaCrosse over the past few years:
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 LaCrosse, 2017 LaCrosse, and 2018 LaCrosse full reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
The 2019 Buick LaCrosse has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five.
Read more about LaCrosse reliability »
There have been 2 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.
See more information on Buick LaCrosse safety recalls »
The 2019 Buick LaCrosse comes in six trims: 1SV (base), Preferred, Essence, Premium, Sport Touring, and Avenir. A four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive are standard. A V6 engine is available in the Preferred, Essence, and Premium trims and standard in the Sport Touring and Avenir. All-wheel drive is available in V6 models.
You can stick with a base model and still get a nicely equipped car, with features such as synthetic leather upholstery, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. However, it's worth stepping up to at least the Essence trim, which comes with leather upholstery and heated front seats, and it’s available with blind spot monitoring, navigation, and a Bose stereo.
See 2019 Buick LaCrosse trims and specs »
Buick offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 75,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Qualifying vehicles receive a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty after the four-year/50,000-mile new-car warranty expires. This warranty includes free maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles, and the original new-car powertrain warranty is extended to six years or 100,000 miles. For models sold in 2020 or newer, Buick changed the new car warranty to three years or 36,000 miles, but the one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty remains the same. Buick CPO models must pass a 172-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read Buick’s warranty page carefully.
According to our analysis, Buick has one of the better CPO programs among affordable carmakers, alongside Kia and Mitsubishi.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 LaCrosse an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in each of the frontal crash, side crash, and rollover tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 LaCrosse the highest rating of Good in the five crash tests conducted. The IIHS gave the car's headlights the lowest rating of Poor for how well they illuminate the road ahead.
The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. When equipped with available forward collision warning, the LaCrosse received the lowest rating of Basic for front crash prevention. Models with the Driver Confidence Package 2 – which includes automatic emergency braking – earned the highest rating of Superior.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
The 2019 Toyota Avalon ranks near the top of the large car class. It has an elegant interior that's much nicer than the Buick's. The Avalon also has several more standard active safety features, as well as the best predicted reliability rating in the segment. However, the price range for used Avalons is several thousand dollars higher than for used LaCrosse models. The LaCrosse’s advantages over the Avalon include better fuel economy and a more user-friendly infotainment system. Buy the Buick if you like those positives, but pick the Toyota if you want more luxury.
The LaCrosse and the 2019 Chevrolet Impala are the only large cars to feature a four-cylinder engine. Though neither is particularly engaging, the Buick's gets better fuel economy. Other aspects of performance are similar: Both cars have a muscular V6 engine option, along with a composed, balanced ride. These large sedans are both products of General Motors, and they share the same user-friendly infotainment interface and an overall similar list of features. The Impala has a much larger trunk than the Buick, as well as the lowest price ceiling in the class. If you're on more of a budget, it's likely the better buy.
Compare the LaCrosse, Avalon, and Impala »
The Buick LaCrosse comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that provides sufficient power for most driving situations, but it certainly won't wow you with forceful acceleration. An available V6 engine is a better fit. It's much stronger off the line and helps you get up to speed faster when you have a full complement of passengers.
This Buick cruises in comfort, and the ride remains plush even with larger wheels or when traversing big bumps in the road. The steering is light, which makes this sedan easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
The LaCrosse's standard four-cylinder engine has the best EPA-estimated fuel economy in the large car class. Nearly all other rivals come standard with a V6, and the LaCrosse's available engine is on par with those competing powertrains.
Read more about LaCrosse performance »
The 2019 LaCrosse sedan seats five people in two rows. The front seats are comfortable, but the cushions might be a bit narrow for some folks. There's ample space in the second row for taller occupants to relax.
The cabin features a noticeable amount of hard plastic surfaces that keep the LaCrosse from feeling as upscale as some rivals. The range-topping Avenir trim is a little more nicely appointed than lower trim levels.
Standard seating features:
Available seating features:
The 2019 LaCrosse has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats and an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-lowest rating of Marginal for ease of use. The lower anchors are set deeply in the seats, and it requires some force to attach the car-seat straps.
The LaCrosse's infotainment system is intuitive and easy to operate. Plus, you get standard support for smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There's a large volume knob right below the touch screen, as well as physical buttons for tuning and exiting out of menus. The climate controls are clearly marked.
See 2019 Buick LaCrosse specs »
Read more about LaCrosse interior »
With its standard four-cylinder powertrain, the 2019 LaCrosse has 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. That's tied for the lowest volume in the large car class. Models with a V6 engine have 15 cubic feet of space, which is still low for a large car.
General Motors built the 2019 Buick LaCrosse in Michigan and in China.
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