When Buick 
introduced the 2015 Buick Avenir concept at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show , most enthusiasts, including some of us here at Top Speed, began fantasizing about a flagship sedan (the Electra and Park Avenue come to mind) that would finally give the brand a weapon for the luxury market. On the other hand, we knew there was a big chance the Avenir would remain just a concept and Buick’s latest announcement about the next-generation LaCrosse confirms just that.
There is some good news though. The 2017 LaCrosse, which will make its public debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, will sport design cues inspired by the Avenir concept. The brand released a teaser showing the sedan’s front grille to prove it and said it’s a face all Buick vehicles will adopt by 2018. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Buick isn’t pondering a full-size sedan, but even if not, the new design language should be exciting.
“The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same. Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick.
Very little is known about the new LaCrosse at this point, but Buick’s teaser and brief press release do reveal a few important details about the upcoming sedan. Keep reading for more.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Buick LaCrosse.
Exterior
Although the teaser doesn’t reveal much, it does confirm that the new LaCrosse sports the Avenir’s gorgeous front grille. A sleeker and sportier reinterpretation of Buick’s waterfall grille, the new piece should change the sedan’s appearance dramatically. At first sight identical to the Avenir’s, the LaCrosse’s grille is actually a bit different.
A sleeker and sportier reinterpretation of Buick’s waterfall grille, the new piece should change the sedan’s appearance dramatically.
The horizontal trim sits a tad lower, while the rim is thicker above the emblem. The V-shaped bottom is smoother, while the extremities are sharper. There’s also a new Buick tri-shield. While the previous model had monochrome shields, on the new car they’re painted red, silver and blue. Buick used a similar design in the 1960s and 1980s.
In the same teaser I spotted a new sculpted hood, as well as a pair of new headlamps that look pretty similar to the Avenir’s. Expect them to be slimmer and longer, which should give the new LaCrosse a more aggressive appearance. The bumper should also feature slender LED daytime running lights, a wide but slim intake, and a chrome strip running from one side to the other.
The rear end is a complete mystery and I wouldn’t go as far as to say it will be inspired by the Avenir’s fastback-like design. However, it should receive slimmer taillights with new LED graphics and drop the previous sedan’s boxy cues. Look for an athletic profile with muscular fenders and a pronounced waistline.
Interior
Note: 2015 Buick Avenir Concept interior shown.
The LaCrosse is also in for a redesigned interior, but Buick provided no hints whatsoever as to what it will be like. We could see a bit of Avenir in there, mainly in the dashboard area, but don’t get your hopes up for the button-free center stack, massive center console or fancy instrument cluster. Last year’s model was a nice car to spend time in due to its overall clean design and roominess, and the new model will only be an improvement in this department. Look for softer materials, better quality wood and aluminum trims, a redesigned dashboard, and enhanced rear legroom.
Drivetrain
Though Buick had nothing to say about the LaCrosse’s drivetrain for 2017, the sedan should use an updated version of last year’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a newly developed 3.6-liter V-6. Shared with the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro , among other GM vehicles, the V-6 should crank out significantly more than its predecessor, which is rated at 304 horses and 264 pound-feet of torque. In the Camaro , the new unit generates 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of twist. Paired to an eight-speed automatic, the V-6 should deliver quicker sprints and better fuel economy.
Prices
With the car still under wraps, pricing for the 2017 model year is obviously not available, but the redesigned sedan shouldn’t be a lot more expensive than the current model. The current LaCrosse retails from $31,990 in 1SV Group trim, which uses the 3.6-liter V-6. Next in line is the Group trim with the 2.4-liter engine with eAssist, from $34,560. The range-topping Leather Group model fetches at least $36,650. All three models are front-wheel drive. For AWD, you can choose between the $39,655 Leather Group and the $41,425 Premium I Group trims.
Expect the new LaCrosse to start from around $33,500 with RWD and from about $41,000 with AWD.
Competition
2013 Lincoln MKZ
Much like Buick, Lincoln is also struggling to regain its past glory, but it has yet to make a big impact in the premium/luxury market. Built on the same platfrom as the 2013 Ford Fusion (Mondeo) , the MKZ was redesigned for the 2013 model and since then it has gained more popularity among U.S. buyers, selling more than 30,000 units per year (2014 was the fourth consecutive year with more than 20 percent gains). The MKZ is available with three engines. There’s a 2.0-liter four-pot rated at 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet and a 3.7-liter V-6 that generates 300 horses and 277 pound-feet. Unlike the LaCrosse, the MKZ can also be had with a hybrid drivetrain combining a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor. Pricing starts from $35,190.
Find out more about the Lincoln MKZ here .
2015-2016 Acura TLX
Launched for the 2015 model year to replace both the 2014 Acura TL and 2014 Acura TSX , Acura’s mid-size sedan makes use of the brand’s updated styling language and has a more premium interior. Motivation is provided by either a 2.4-liter inline-four churning 209 horsepower and 182 pound-feet, or a 3.5-liter V-6 generating 290 horses and 267 pound-feet of twist. The four-banger mates to an eight-speed dual-clutch, while the V-6 uses a nine-speed automatic. The TLX retails from $31,695 with the 2.4-liter and from $35,320 with the 3.5-liter V-6. The range-topping 3.5 SH-AWD with Advance Package model fetches at least $44,800.
Read more about the Acura TLX here .
Conclusion
Though there aren’t many details to run by, the LaCrosse’s new grille suggests the sedan has received a significant makeover that ditched the dull design of the second-generation car. As Buick’s top-level car and best-selling sedan in North America, the LaCrosse is a crucial model in the brand’s lineup, and GM can’t afford any mistakes with this redesign. Though we won’t find out more until the Los Angeles Auto Show opens its doors, we do know that the LaCrosse will mark the beginning of a new era at Buick. One that promises to be a lot more exciting.
Press Release
Buick today confirmed the all-new 2017 LaCrosse, with a preview of its Avenir concept-inspired design cues.
A striking evolution from current Buick models, LaCrosse features a grille design that puts a new face on the brand, including a new, three-color tri-shield insignia set on a wing-shaped element. Contrasting with darkened waterfall grille bars and spanning the width of the opening, it connects the grille and headlamps, and emphasizes LaCrosse’s new sculptural surfacing.
The design was introduced on the Avenir concept and was inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept. It’s a face all Buick models will adopt by 2018.
“The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models.”
The next-generation LaCrosse’s design is framed on an all-new chassis that is stronger yet lighter than the current model and serves as the foundation for a more dynamic driving experience. New technologies such as a five-link rear suspension contribute to a more responsive ride, while taking Buick’s signature quietness to a new threshold – and it’s a premium feature not found on many other full-size luxury models, including the Lexus ES.
The 2017 LaCrosse debuts in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.