CD Article: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

[CD_Editor]

         
First Drive:


Jointly designed by GM's European, North American and Chinese subsidiaries, the second generation LaCrosse (formerly Allure) is a completely new car, reports Contributing Editor Chris Chase.  It offers notably improved handling but the base V6 engine seems underpowered, he says.
 More: View the photos | All the First Drives

[Ontariodriver]

So the V6 sucks...Ummm..I thought people were pulling away from V6's. GM need to address this issue.

[Honda Owner]

If the V-6 is underpowered, I wonder what the 4 cylinder will be like. A lot of car to pull around with a four.

[Ontariodriver]

If the V-6 is underpowered, I wonder what the 4 cylinder will be like. A lot of car to pull around with a four.

You would think if Honda can do it with their massive Accord. Surely GM could manged it.....No.....I guess no judging by the V6. 

[Honda Owner]

2010 Honda Accord curb weight: 3204-3397 lbs with four cylinder 3553 lbs-3583 lbs with V-6.

Accord LX 4 cylinder 177hp, 161 lb-ft
Accord EX 4 cylinder 190 hp, 162 lb-ft

2010 Buick Lacrosse curb weight: 3948-4065 lbs with six cylinder.

LaCrosse 4 cylinder 182 hp, 172 lb-ft

Even with a four, the Buick would be a much heavier car, in the 500 lbs range or three average passengers. I would wager that 99% of the fours will be for fleet sales.

In Alberta, 500 lbs would be two passengers. 

[airbalancer]

 

[Greg B.]

If the V-6 is underpowered, I wonder what the 4 cylinder will be like. A lot of car to pull around with a four.

Yeah, I just don't see the point of the 4-cyl in this car, both from a performance standpoint and an image standpoint. The new 3.0 V-6 that GM is offering seems to underwhelm everywhere it's used so far. It just doesn't generate enough torque for these heavy cars. Unfortunately, the only model to buy is the CXS, which gives you the fine 3.6L -- but that is a $40K car.

[rrocket]

^^Agreed.

[Honda Owner]

Yeah, I just don't see the point of the 4-cyl in this car,

The reason is the new CAFE laws in the USA. GM will fleet the 4 bangers and sell the V-6s to retail customers. Similar things happened in the 80s.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

If the V-6 is underpowered, I wonder what the 4 cylinder will be like. A lot of car to pull around with a four.

Unfortunately, the only model to buy is the CXS, which gives you the fine 3.6L -- but that is a $40K car.

Give it a few months and the price for that engine will be more accessible.