General Motors, often a subject of automotive industry debates, surprised many with the 2015 Buick LaCrosse. If the 2010 LaCrosse was seen as a promising concept with imperfect execution, akin to the ’84 Fiero 2M4, the 2015 model emerged as its mature and refined counterpart – the ’89 GT V6 of entry-level luxury sedans. It presented a compelling package, well-executed enough to capture the attention of discerning buyers. But in today’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape, does this once-praised Buick LaCrosse eAssist still hold its ground?
Five years prior to reviewing this 2015 model, the author experienced the earlier LaCrosse in an endurance race, an event overshadowed by a frustrating penalty. Fast forward to the 2015 Buick LaCrosse eAssist, and the experience shifted dramatically to a victorious one. This transformation mirrors the car itself – a significant evolution from its predecessor. While the automotive world moves at breakneck speed, with models becoming outdated quickly, the 2015 LaCrosse, even as it approached the later stages of its production run, still presented a strong case. Unlike some competitors who would have moved onto entirely new generations by this point, GM opted for refinement, a strategy that, surprisingly, paid off. The refreshed LaCrosse, about a year into its updated design at the time of review, demonstrated the impact of thoughtful improvements. In a market where the Lexus ES, a key competitor, was considered less impressive in its earlier iterations, this Buick LaCrosse eAssist had the potential to make a significant impact, delivering the level of quality and appeal that should have been present from the start.
Styling and Exterior Appeal: A Mature Design
The styling of the 2015 Buick LaCrosse eAssist marked a significant departure from the earlier, somewhat unfocused design. The updated model adopted a more assertive and refined aesthetic. Gone were the awkward proportions of the 2010 version, replaced by a more streamlined and confident stance. The deeper grille and redesigned taillights contributed to a smoother, more cohesive look, lending the car a sense of understated elegance. At a price point of around $36,650 as tested, the LaCrosse presented a strong visual value proposition. In this price range, many European competitors from BMW or Audi often appeared either basic or significantly smaller. The question then arises: how does the LaCrosse eAssist’s styling compare to rivals like the Lincoln MKZ? While the MKZ boasted a unique, almost bespoke design, the LaCrosse, despite its improvements, still carried a hint of GM’s parts-bin approach. The distinctive character line, described with a touch of humor as reminiscent of “Elvira’s eyebrows,” while present, didn’t necessarily enhance the aging design.
However, the design choices were deliberate, influenced by the demands of the Chinese market, a crucial demographic for Buick. A key requirement from this market was a spacious rear seat, a feature highly valued by Chinese consumers. The LaCrosse delivered impressively in this aspect. Rear passenger space was abundant, offering the kind of legroom and comfort often expected in larger, more premium vehicles like Cadillacs. In fact, aside from its platform sibling, the XTS, Cadillac’s offerings in the American market at the time didn’t quite match the LaCrosse’s rear passenger room. This spaciousness proved practical during a 1,461-mile road trip with four adults, two of whom worked comfortably on laptops in the back seat. A thoughtful detail that enhanced rear passenger comfort was the inclusion of rear windows that fully retracted, a feature often overlooked but appreciated by passengers. For those prioritizing passenger comfort, the LaCrosse eAssist excelled.
Compromises: Luggage Space and the eAssist Battery
While excelling in passenger space, the Buick LaCrosse eAssist presented a trade-off in luggage capacity. The trunk space was notably limited, further compromised by the inclusion of the eAssist battery. The battery pack, humorously described as being “the size of a Cylon battlestation,” occupied a significant portion of the already small trunk. This severely restricted luggage space, turning packing for trips into a challenging exercise in spatial optimization, likened to a “Tetris” game or a “backpack algorithm” problem. The author’s experience of repeatedly struggling to fit luggage for a four-person trip highlighted this significant drawback. The availability of a no-charge 3.6 V6 option in the LaCrosse raised a pertinent point: for buyers prioritizing cargo space, opting for the standard V6 might be a more practical choice, sacrificing some fuel efficiency for considerably more trunk room.
eAssist System: Mild Hybrid Efficiency in Action
Despite the trunk space compromise, the eAssist system in the Buick LaCrosse offered tangible benefits in fuel economy. Described as a “wildest of mild hybrids,” the system proved effective in enhancing fuel efficiency without significantly impacting performance. The core of the eAssist system is a 15-horsepower electric motor belt-integrated with the engine. This motor serves a dual purpose: during deceleration, it acts as a generator, capturing kinetic energy to recharge a battery pack, and during acceleration and cruising, it provides supplemental power to the engine, improving fuel economy. The system also enabled a seamless auto-stop function, shutting off the engine at idle to conserve fuel.
Unlike some less refined start-stop systems, the eAssist in the LaCrosse operated smoothly and unobtrusively. The transition to auto-stop was subtle, noticeable primarily by the silence of the engine and the tachometer dropping to zero. Importantly, essential accessories like air conditioning and the audio system remained operational during auto-stop, maintaining passenger comfort. Restarting was equally seamless and prompt, engaging immediately upon releasing the brake pedal or after a prolonged stop, feeling more akin to the smooth operation of a Ford/Toyota hybrid system than a conventional engine start. However, a peculiar quirk was noted: shifting the car into “Park” from auto-stop would restart the engine. This behavior seemed counterintuitive, particularly in situations where maintaining engine shut-off, even in Park, would be beneficial for fuel conservation and reducing emissions.
Performance and Driving Dynamics: Satisfactory and Refined
On the road, the Buick LaCrosse eAssist delivered adequate performance. While not overtly sporty, its acceleration felt comparable to that of a four-cylinder Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Considering the LaCrosse’s larger size and weight, this performance was commendable. Merging onto highways and navigating traffic presented no issues, with sufficient power available when needed. While the four-cylinder engine lacked the exhilarating character of more powerful options, it provided a satisfactory driving experience in everyday situations.
Fuel economy figures further highlighted the eAssist system’s effectiveness. Despite some unusual circumstances during the test, including extended idling at a racetrack pit lane, the LaCrosse eAssist demonstrated impressive fuel efficiency. For the initial 600 miles of the test, which included typical driving conditions with stop-and-go traffic and utilization of the auto-stop feature, the car achieved a solid 31.6 mpg, a figure corroborated by fuel fill data. This fuel economy was achieved without employing hypermiling techniques, suggesting that the eAssist system delivered real-world fuel savings in normal driving.
During the road trip, the LaCrosse impressed with its quietness, comfort, and overall pleasant driving experience. The updated interior, featuring quality leather seats in the mid-level trim, represented a significant improvement over previous iterations. In terms of ride quality and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels, the LaCrosse rivaled or even surpassed competitors like the Lexus ES. It offered a more refined and composed ride than many competitors, including the Ford Fusion and even the author’s own Honda Accord. The configurable LCD instrumentation, similar to that found in the Chevrolet Corvette C7, was clear and easy to read in various lighting conditions. While the center stack controls showed some signs of cost-cutting in their feel, the overall interior ambiance was upscale and functional. Ample 12V power outlets and a cleverly designed center armrest added to the car’s practicality for long journeys. However, some minor issues were noted, including occasional glitches with Bluetooth audio streaming, resulting in “skipping” tracks, and a less-than-intuitive phone interface.
Track Test and eAssist System Limits
Taking advantage of the test location at a racetrack, the LaCrosse eAssist was put through some unexpected track driving in wet conditions. Despite being a family sedan, the LaCrosse demonstrated surprising stability and composure even at higher speeds in the rain. Its deep-treaded tires provided good grip, allowing it to outpace some dedicated race cars during a rain shake-down session. In corners, the car exhibited predictable understeer at the limit, with clear feedback through the steering wheel. Attempts to induce oversteer through left-foot braking proved largely ineffective, highlighting the car’s inherent stability.
Curiosity extended to testing the eAssist system under demanding driving conditions. After several hard laps on the track, signs of stress were evident – brake smell and heat radiating from under the hood. However, upon stopping, the auto-stop system still engaged, and restarting remained smooth and immediate. This demonstrated the robustness of the eAssist system, even when pushed beyond its intended operating parameters.
Conclusion: Value and Considerations
Priced around $36,000, the 2015 Buick LaCrosse eAssist presented a compelling value proposition, particularly when compared to smaller or less well-equipped vehicles at similar or higher price points. It offered a significant step up in size, comfort, and refinement compared to the Chevrolet Malibu, often at only a slightly higher MSRP. The LaCrosse eAssist was fairly priced, well-equipped, and competently executed. While the author personally might still lean towards an Accord Hybrid for its sportier driving dynamics and potentially better fuel economy in certain conditions, the LaCrosse eAssist offered a strong alternative, especially for buyers prioritizing rear passenger space and a more traditional sedan experience. For those seeking a well-rounded and comfortable sedan from General Motors, and whose budget didn’t extend to the Corvette, the Buick LaCrosse eAssist was a worthy contender, deserving serious consideration.
