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2008 Buick LaCrosse Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By TheCarConnection Team's avatar TheCarConnection Team,  TheCarConnection Team

TheCarConnection.com’s editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Buick LaCrosse to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Buick LaCrosse to offer you a conclusive opinion on this mid-size sedan. This review also compares the 2008 Buick LaCrosse with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions.

Likes:

  • Very quiet interior
  • Good interior room in front
  • Lots of standard features

Dislikes:

  • Forgettable exterior style
  • V-6 sounds a bit coarse
  • Four-speed automatic transmissions

Buying Tips:


If you're a traditional Buick buyer, don't be afraid of the 3800 3.8-liter V-6 engine in the 2008 Buick LaCrosse; it's durable, if not too exciting. Also, if you want to stay with GM, a better all-around choice (that is hypercompetitive even with the imports in this class) is the all-new Chevrolet Malibu.

For Buick, 2008 is a carryover year; regarding the LaCrosse, that means not much has changed since 2007. Here are the basics: The 2008 Buick LaCrosse gets a fresh new face for 2008 and more standard equipment for its CX and CXL. The LaCrosse CX adds a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, a theft-deterrence system, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a driver information center personalization. All LaCrosses now feature XM Satellite Radio, remote start, a telescoping steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control.

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX and CXL sedans come with a 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 engine. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox. It's possible that if you're shopping for a 2008 Buick LaCrosse, you may run across a sporty edition called the CXS. If you pop the hood, you'll find the base engine that powers the Cadillac CTS, a 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing and 240 horsepower. This model was a placeholder until Buick's big news for 2008.

That big news is the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super. The LaCrosse Super will come equipped with GM's small-block 5.3-liter V-8, which is capable of producing 300 hp. The engine also has active fuel management, which deactivates four cylinders at cruising speed to save fuel. It's a hugely entertaining engine that turns the otherwise ordinary LaCrosse into a road-clawing machine, though it's still a pillowy ride with only moderate steering feedback.

The chassis of the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super has also been reworked to make it make firmer and more responsive, while at the same time retaining the comfortable ride that traditionally has been one of the Buick's hallmarks. In addition, the changes include more precise steering, larger front and rear brake rotors, and Bilstein monotube struts, GM says. The LaCrosse Super features 18-inch wheels, as well. It feels great on the road compared to a non-Super LaCrosse.

The Super is the first LaCrosse 2008 model with Buick's famous hood portholes as well as a new waterfall grille, hood, and front fascia. Inside, the LaCrosse Super features a new seat with increased bolstering covered in a woven embossed leather, as well as wood-grain-appearance accents on the instrument panel, center console, door, and gear shift knob. The Super also gets exclusive instrument cluster graphics, new front sill plates, and a silver finish on the instrument panel.

For Buick, 2008 offerings only include the LaCrosse, Lucerne (a full-size sedan), and Enclave (full-size crossover).

Other Choices:

If you’re interested in the 2008 Buick LaCrosse, also consider:

Reason Why:

Since its introduction as a 2005 model, the Buick LaCrosse has been getting better, and the addition of a V-8 Super edition continues this trend. Aside from the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 fitted with the HEMI, no mid-size sedans offer the kind of kick the LaCrosse Super does. However, the Toyota Avalon, the Nissan Maxima, and the Hyundai Azera, as well as the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego twins, are stiff competition. While the 5.3-liter V-8 may be an advantage to some buyers, others will compare V-6 to V-6, and in this matchup, the Buick suffers a fatal shot to the engine block. Additionally, the Chrysler, Ford, and Mercury offer the security of available all-wheel drive.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse has a wide range of engines--and a Super edition with great V-8 power.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Buick LaCrosse to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Buick LaCrosse to offer you a conclusive opinion on this mid-size sedan. This review also compares the 2008 Buick LaCrosse with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions. Likes:Very quiet interiorGood interior room in frontLots of standard featuresDislikes:Forgettable exterior styleV-6 sounds a bit coarseFour-speed automatic transmissionsBuying Tips: If you're a traditional Buick buyer, don't be afraid of the 3800 3.8-liter V-6 engine in the 2008 Buick LaCrosse; it's durable, if not too exciting. Also, if you want to stay with GM, a better all-around choice (that is hypercompetitive even with the imports in this class) is the all-new Chevrolet Malibu. For Buick, 2008 is a carryover year; regarding the LaCrosse, that means not much has changed since 2007. Here are the basics: The 2008 Buick LaCrosse gets a fresh new face for 2008 and more standard equipment for its CX and CXL. The LaCrosse CX adds a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, a theft-deterrence system, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a driver information center personalization. All LaCrosses now feature XM Satellite Radio, remote start, a telescoping steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX and CXL sedans come with a 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 engine. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox. It's possible that if you're shopping for a 2008 Buick LaCrosse, you may run across a sporty edition called the CXS. If you pop the hood, you'll find the base engine that powers the Cadillac CTS, a 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing and 240 horsepower. This model was a placeholder until Buick's big news for 2008. That big news is the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super. The LaCrosse Super will come equipped with GM's small-block 5.3-liter V-8, which is capable of producing 300 hp. The engine also has active fuel management, which deactivates four cylinders at cruising speed to save fuel. It's a hugely entertaining engine that turns the otherwise ordinary LaCrosse into a road-clawing machine, though it's still a pillowy ride with only moderate steering feedback. The chassis of the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super has also been reworked to make it make firmer and more responsive, while at the same time retaining the comfortable ride that traditionally has been one of the Buick's hallmarks. In addition, the changes include more precise steering, larger front and rear brake rotors, and Bilstein monotube struts, GM says. The LaCrosse Super features 18-inch wheels, as well. It feels great on the road compared to a non-Super LaCrosse. The Super is the first LaCrosse 2008 model with Buick's famous hood portholes as well as a new waterfall grille, hood, and front fascia. Inside, the LaCrosse Super features a new seat with increased bolstering covered in a woven embossed leather, as well as wood-grain-appearance accents on the instrument panel, center console, door, and gear shift knob. The Super also gets exclusive instrument cluster graphics, new front sill plates, and a silver finish on the instrument panel. For Buick, 2008 offerings only include the LaCrosse, Lucerne (a full-size sedan), and Enclave (full-size crossover). Other Choices:If you’re interested in the 2008 Buick LaCrosse, also consider:Toyota AvalonNissan MaximaChrysler 300Hyundai AzeraFord Five HundredMercury MontegoReason Why:Since its introduction as a 2005 model, the Buick LaCrosse has been getting better, and the addition of a V-8 Super edition continues this trend. Aside from the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 fitted with the HEMI, no mid-size sedans offer the kind of kick the LaCrosse Super does. However, the Toyota Avalon, the Nissan Maxima, and the Hyundai Azera, as well as the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego twins, are stiff competition. While the 5.3-liter V-8 may be an advantage to some buyers, others will compare V-6 to V-6, and in this matchup, the Buick suffers a fatal shot to the engine block. Additionally, the Chrysler, Ford, and Mercury offer the security of available all-wheel drive. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Buick LaCrosse has a wide range of engines--and a Super edition with great V-8 power. TheCarConnection.com’s editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Buick LaCrosse to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the Buick LaCrosse to offer you a conclusive opinion on this mid-size sedan. This review also compares the 2008 Buick ...

Other Choices:

Since its introduction as a 2005 model, the Buick LaCrosse has been getting better, and the addition of a V-8 Super edition continues this trend. Aside from the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 fitted with the HEMI, no mid-size sedans offer the kind of kick the LaCrosse Super does. However, the Toyota Avalon, the Nissan Maxima, and the Hyundai Azera, as well as the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego twins, are stiff competition. While the 5.3-liter V-8 may be an advantage to some buyers, others will compare V-6 to V-6, and in this matchup, the Buick suffers a fatal shot to the engine block. Additionally, the Chrysler, Ford, and Mercury offer the security of available all-wheel drive.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Buick LaCrosse

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Buick LaCrosse

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Buick LaCrosse near you

See the Buick LaCrosse in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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