2012 Buick Lacrosse vs. Its Competition

2011 Buick LaCrosse 4-door Sedan CX Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 8.2 out of 10

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Jan 29, 2012

Landing somewhere between mainstream and true luxury brands, the 2012 Buick LaCrosseThe 2011 Buick LaCrosse lands somewhere between the mainstream and serious luxury brands—in the nowhere land occupied by vehicles like the Nissan Maxima and Saab 9-5.

The Maxima has more of a performance emphasis, and it's slightly smaller inside than the LaCrosse, but it appeals to some of the same crowd that wants a stylish large sedan that's sportier if not high-performance.

The Acura TL and Lexus ES are true luxury sedans, though they're both front-wheel drive and have more of an emphasis on comfort—though the TL is available with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual and as such is more of a driver's car.

And for those who want more of a traditional large luxury sedan, the Hyundai Genesis might appeal; it has rear-wheel drive and a choice of V-6 or V-8 engines and is an especially strong value.

For those who are considering the LaCrosse V-6, the Infiniti M might be worth comparing; it's more of a sport sedan and more dynamically engaging, but its feature set is remarkably close to that of the LaCrosse.

2012 Buick Lacrosse Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Acura TL Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Genesis Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Lexus ES 350 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan Maxima Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.2 As a sophisticated, roomy, tech-savvy premium sedan—now with up to 36 mpg—the 2012 Buick LaCrosse hits the mark for a lot of shoppers who want luxury on a limited budget.	8 The 2012 Acura TL is a surprisingly well-rounded luxury sedan, with a host of advanced tech features, and in top SH-AWD trim morphs into a complete and compelling sport sedan.	8 The Genesis' impressive details and execution make it a pragmatic luxury-car choice, especially in the quick, plush V-6 version.	7.8 The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a great pick for those who want a lavish interior and the latest in-car tech, but place a priority on comfort over cornering performance.	7.8 The 2012 Nissan Maxima is a great pick if you want a stylish, sporty, comfortable, and lavishly trimmed sedan; serious sport-sedan enthusiasts should look elsewhere, however.
MSRP From
$30,170	$35,705	$34,200	$36,725	$32,420
Gas Mileage
16 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas/Electric I4	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6
EPA Class
Midsize Cars	Mid-Size	Large car	Compact	Mid-Size
Style Name
4dr Sedan Base FWD	4dr Sedan Auto 2WD	4dr Sedan V6 3.8L	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic	Continuously Variable