DRIVEN + VIDEO: The All-New 2017 Buick LaCrosse Gets Driven By Consumer Reports — Can Its AVENIR-Inspired Looks Save The Latest From GM?

It's been interesting to watch General Motors rebuild the Buick brand in recent years. We think if it wasn't for the companies staggering traction in the Far East, we probably wouldn't be even speaking about Buick today.

That said, one of the first products I drove and was surprised by was the last-gen LaCrosse. While it wasn't perfect, it certainly was better than previous GM vehicles I had driven. And, people took notice. LaCrosses are hardly everywhere but they do show up now and again.

After being wowed by the Avenir Concept vehicle Buick trotted out, we were hoping for a more daring design. The Avenir may have been a Bentley clone but we didn't care. It looked killer and it is easily one of the top designs that Buick ever has shown the public.

While the Avenir hasn't come to fruition, the concept's inspiration is felt in the all-new, 2017 Buick LaCrosse. Check out its sweeping and elegant lines.

While I could talk about design for eons, let's get down to brass tacks. How does this thing drive?

Giving its first impression is Consumer Reports, below.

Buick looks to attract newer, and possibly younger, buyers with the LaCrosse. The flagship sedan enjoys new outward styling and a quiet ride. However, advanced safety gear is not available on all trim levels.

MDarringer - 9/22/2016 8:34:53 AM

+1 Boost

Avenir inspired looks? Where? This looks more inspired by the first Lacrosse than the Avenir. The styling is dull and dated. It simply isn't attractive.

TomM - 9/22/2016 9:08:57 AM

+2 Boost

The front end - especially the new grille - looks almost like it was taken directly from the Avenir - Matt. And THIS car looks NOTHING like the FIRST LaCrosse - I believe you are talking about the most recent one before it - remember that there have now been 3 generations of LaCrosse - and the first was based on the GM W Body.

MDarringer - 9/22/2016 8:43:10 PM

0 Boost

@TomM Take your meds. You said "I believe you are talking about the most recent one before it." That would be the first Lacrosse. The similarities between the new Lacrosse and the first one stylistically are readily apparent.

TomM - 9/24/2016 8:11:10 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry Matt - IT is you who forgot to take your meds - the FIRST LaCrosse(THis new one is the THIRD Generation) was on the GM W platform - like the Pontiac Grand Prix - it had a very wide Oval Grille on it. You can see it here - scroll down to the First Generation -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_LaCrosse - And it looks Nothing like either the current second generation LaCrosse - or the Coming THird Generation.

IT is the SECOND Generation LaCrosse that is currently available - as the leftover - and that car was based on the Epsillon II platform - which is the predecessor to the new Platform the New Avenir inspired LaCrosse is on.

And while you may compare it to the Genesis - (Which is stylistically a dud with its horrendous cow-catcher grille - maybe based on Audi) - the New LaCrosse is postiioned very well to compete with the Lexus Es350.

MDarringer - 9/24/2016 10:06:52 AM

+1 Boost

@TomM Notice that I said it looked like the first Lacrosse and that you're telling me this is the 3rd Lacrosse and the first Lacrosse was GM W body. BOTH points are utterly irrelevant to what I said which was that the current Lacrosse looks too much like the first one for me. Thus, if you'd have paid attention when grammar was taught, you would see how YOU misunderstood and in trying to correct me YOU are making yourself look abundantly stupid.

"current" Lacrosse = new car
"last" Lacrosse = previous car
"first" Lacrosse = car that introduced the name

Truthy - 9/22/2016 10:31:08 AM

+2 Boost

It looks great in the metal and it has great details. MDarringer likes the new Lexus design language, so take his comments with a grain of salt.

MDarringer - 9/22/2016 8:40:23 PM

0 Boost

Actually I prefer the Genesis design language if you believe the popular narrative of my unintelligent detractors.

carloslassiter - 9/22/2016 5:42:33 PM

+3 Boost

I can't imagine what Buick could do to interest me in one of their cars. I've never set foot in one of their showrooms; the only time I've ever driven in one of them was in Taiwan.

TomM - 9/24/2016 8:47:41 AM

+1 Boost

The Buick is a second tier Luxury car - competing with Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo - and Audi. While in the past - Buick did indeed produce some interesting performance vehicles - the current Buick is made for its main market - which is CHINA - where Buick is the likely the number one luxury vehicle - they even still sell a Mini-van as an Executive Luxury people hauler - at a high price - in China. (Buick was the car of Chairman Mao). I believe that in China - a Sliverado badged with a Buick Logo would also sell like Hotcakes too. In China - large cars - like the LaCrosse - often have chauffeurs - and that is why Cadillac sells Long Wheelbase version of its cars there. And since there is no owner driving experience - the Luxury cars are free to be old generation with very Smooth rides - and quiet - something Buick certainly is. So yes - they are boring - old ladies cars.

Eventually - I would expect that the Buick/Opel connection might produce a compelling drivers car - likely a Regal - and it is that car that might appeal to an American who wants a car - that handles well too. However - Buick will continue to be produced long after the last new Buick is sold in the USA.