2019 Buick LaCrosse

Is the Buick LaCrosse a Good Car?

Yes, the 2019 Buick LaCrosse is a good large car. It has a relaxed ride, a spacious cabin, and plenty of standard and available technology features. However, some competitors have nicer interiors and more cargo space.

Should I Buy the Buick LaCrosse?

The LaCrosse is definitely worth your consideration. Though it has a reasonable starting price, this Buick doesn't skimp on standard features. It also has a comfortable ride with composed handling and a roomy cabin. But there are other large cars that may better suit your needs. Those looking for more cargo space should consider the Chevrolet Impala, and those yearning for a more upscale interior should consider the Kia Cadenza.

Should I Buy a New or Used Buick LaCrosse?

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse is part of a generation that debuted for the 2017 model year. For 2018, Buick added a standard rearview camera and an available MyLink infotainment system. The 2019 LaCrosse saw the addition of a new Sport Touring trim. Those uninterested in these changes may want to consider the less expensive and relatively similar 2017 LaCrosse.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 LaCrosse »

We Did the Research for You: 22 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 22 Buick LaCrosse reviews, as well as fuel economy estimates, performance specs, and more, to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision. This 2019 Buick LaCrosse review uses applicable research and data from all model years of the current LaCrosse generation, which runs from 2017 to 2019.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been reviewing cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain impartial, we do not accept extravagant gifts from automakers, and an outside source handles our advertising.

How Much Does the Buick LaCrosse Cost?

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse has a midrange starting price of $29,570. You’ll have to step up to at least the LaCrosse Preferred trim ($33,670) and pay an additional $2,500 if you want the more powerful V6 engine. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim has a starting price of $44,870.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Buick dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Buick deals page.

Buick LaCrosse Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Buick LaCrosse or Chrysler 300?

Like the LaCrosse, the Chrysler 300 has a user-friendly infotainment system and a long list of standard tech features, but there are some notable differences between these two vehicles. The 300 has a nicer interior and more passenger and cargo space than the LaCrosse. The Buick has superior handling dynamics and better fuel economy estimates than the Chrysler. Both sit in the middle of our large car rankings, and both make good choices.

Which Is Better: Buick LaCrosse or Chevrolet Impala?

The Chevrolet Impala and the Buick LaCrosse have similar engines and features, and both deliver a smooth ride. The Impala has a lower base price and more passenger and cargo space than the LaCrosse, while the Buick has higher fuel economy estimates, available all-wheel drive, and a more upscale cabin. The LaCrosse is a slightly more well-rounded vehicle, but the Impala is a great value for the money.

Compare the LaCrosse, 300, and Impala »

LaCrosse Interior

How Many People Does the LaCrosse Seat?

There's seating for five in the 2019 Buick LaCrosse. Both rows of seats have plenty of room for adults. The seats are relatively comfortable and supportive, although some reviewers note that there are narrow seat cushions. Leatherette upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard. Other available refinements include leather-trimmed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and massaging front seats.

LaCrosse and Car Seats

There are two sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats and an upper tether on the rear middle seat of the LaCrosse. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the LATCH system a Marginal rating (the second-lowest) for its ease of use. IIHS noted that the LaCrosse's lower anchors are located deep in the seat and require too much force to attach the straps. 

LaCrosse Interior Quality

The LaCrosse’s cabin looks mostly upscale, but there are some noticeable plastics that lessen its overall appeal. On the plus side, these plastic pieces are soft to the touch.

LaCrosse Cargo Space

At 15 cubic feet, the LaCrosse’s trunk is a bit small for the class. Still, that’s a good amount of room, and its wide opening makes it easy to fit in larger items.

LaCrosse Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The 2019 LaCrosse’s base infotainment system comes with an intuitive 8-inch touch screen, an eight-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There are also a few physical controls to operate the temperature and audio. Available features include satellite radio, a navigation system, HD Radio, a premium audio system, and wireless charging.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Read more about interior »

LaCrosse Performance

LaCrosse Engine: Fuel-Sipping Base Engine; Potent V6

The base 2019 Buick LaCrosse features a 194-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to help improve fuel efficiency and acceleration. The standard transmission is a six-speed automatic. Those longing for more power can opt for the available V6 engine, which is mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.

LaCrosse Gas Mileage: Some of the Best

You'll get 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway out of the base LaCrosse. These are great estimates for a sedan of this size. Models with the available V6 engine get lower estimates of 20/30 mpg city/highway.

LaCrosse Ride and Handling: Relatively Compliant Ride

The LaCrosse is a comfortable cruiser with relatively poised handling. However, some reviewers note that large road bumps in the road are felt by passengers, and that the LaCrosse can feel a little unwieldy during sharp turning maneuvers. The available adaptive suspension helps improve the handling and ride quality. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

Read more about performance »

LaCrosse Reliability

Is the Buick LaCrosse Reliable?

The 2019 LaCrosse earns an above-average predicted reliability rating of four out of five from J.D. Power. Three is considered average.

Buick LaCrosse Warranty

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

LaCrosse Safety

LaCrosse Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Buick LaCrosse a five-out-of-five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the LaCrosse a Good rating (the highest rating) in five crash test categories. It received the highest rating of Superior for front crash prevention, but its headlights received the lowest rating of Poor for visibility. 

LaCrosse Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Available safety features include rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane change assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, a head-up display, and pedestrian detection. Buick's Safety Alert Seat and Teen Driver system are also available. The Safety Alert Seat vibrates the driver's seat in the event of impending danger, while the Teen Driver system allows parents to monitor their children's driving habits and set speed and audio limits on the car.

Read more about safety »

Which Buick LaCrosse Model Is Right for Me?

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse comes in six trims: 1SV, Preferred, Essence, Premium, Sport Touring, and Avenir. The base trim is a good value. It gives you plenty of features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a fuel-sipping four-cylinder engine.

To get the more potent engine, you’ll have to step up to at least the Preferred trim and then spend an additional $2,500. For additional refinement (and a higher price), consider the Essence trim. It comes with niceties such as leather-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats. An all-new Sport Touring trim with a more aggressive look is also available.

Buick LaCrosse 1SV (Base)

The base trim ($29,570) comes with leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, an eight-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Buick LaCrosse Preferred and Buick LaCrosse Essence

The Preferred trim starts at $33,670 and comes with a power tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel and satellite radio. It's also the first trim to offer the optional V6 engine (for $2,500). This engine is available in the Essence and Premium trims for the same price, and it’s standard in the Sport Touring and Avenir trims.

For more refinement, you'll want to step up to the Essence trim ($36,370). It comes with leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and wireless charging. A few packages are available: The Driver Confidence 1 package ($445) adds rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring; the Sun and Shade package ($1,550) adds a panoramic moonroof and a rear-window power sunshade; the Sights and Sounds package ($1,145) adds a navigation system, HD Radio, and a premium audio system; and the Dynamic Drive package ($1,300) adds an adaptive suspension system and other driver-focused features.

Buick LaCrosse Premium

Standard features in the LaCrosse Premium ($38,670) include a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, Buick's Safety Alert Seat, and heated and ventilated massaging front seats. The Sun and Shade, Sights and Sounds, and Dynamic Drive packages are all available in the Premium for the same price as they are in the Essence trim. A Driver Confidence 2 package ($1,690) is also available and features adaptive cruise control, active park assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.

Buick LaCrosse Sport Touring

The new-for-2019 Sport Touring trim starts at $39,370 and comes with a V6 engine, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and a sports-oriented grille, fender, and spoiler. Its other features are similar to the Essence trim’s. The Driver Confidence, Sun and Shade, and Sights and Sounds packages are also available.

Buick LaCrosse Avenir

The range-topping Avenir trim ($44,870) comes with the V6 engine, as well as a panoramic moonroof, a rear-window power sunshade, a navigation system, an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless charging, and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Driver Confidence 2 and Dynamic Drive packages are also available.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Buick dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Buick deals page.

See 2019 Buick LaCrosse specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse is a well-rounded large car. It has a spacious cabin, plenty of features, ample space for five occupants, and a comfortable ride. However, it could use a little more cargo space and nicer interior pieces.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The 2019 Buick LaCrosse carries over the significant changes that took place back in 2017 and a powertrain update in 2018, as part of the brand's plan to reinvigorate and claw back to its position in the luxury segment. And we like what we're seeing. Rather than a hyperstylized version of a coupe or a sport sedan that does neither very well, Buick has rightly chosen to make a comfortable, efficient and traditional car." -- Edmunds
• "The new LaCrosse offers a unique mix of in-cabin technology, including onboard Wi-Fi, safety features and luxurious appointments, which makes it a standout." -- Kelley Blue Book (2018)
• "The new Buick LaCrosse is fundamentally a good car and a strong update from the previous model. It's a letdown, unfortunately, due to a failure to sweat the small details, and that's a pity because it's so close to being a home run." -- Motor Trend (2017)