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.
2010 Buick LaCrosse Pricing
2010 Buick LaCrosse pricing starts at $5,821 for the LaCrosse CX Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $27,835 when new. The range-topping 2010 LaCrosse CXS Sedan 4D starts at $6,888 today, originally priced from $33,765.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
CX Sedan 4D | $27,835 | $5,821 | ||
CXL Sedan 4D | $30,740 | $6,683 | ||
CXS Sedan 4D | $33,765 | $6,888 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2010 Buick LaCrosse models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
Driving the Buick LaCrosse
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.
Interior Comfort
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 Styling
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.
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.
Standard Features
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.
Factory Options
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.
Engine & Transmission
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 3.0-liter V6 3.6-liter V6
182 horsepower @ 6700 rpm
172 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 (estimated)
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)
280 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
289 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27
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Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.) We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
