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2009 Buick LaCrosse Safety Review

February 19, 2009

SAFETY | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact protection; three stars, front side impact protection; four stars, rear side impact protection and rollover resistance
NHTSA

Acceptable, frontal offset protection; Marginal, side impact protection
IIHS

antilock brakes and side curtain airbags are standard
Cars.com

Thin front and rear roof pillars keep blind spots to a minimum
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Buick LaCrosse includes most of the expected safety equipment, but its side crash-test scores are just not up to snuff.

The LaCrosse earned five out of five stars for frontal impact protection, as well as four stars for rear side impact protection and rollover resistance from the federal government, but only three stars for front side impact protection—among the lowest scores of any vehicles for 2009 and a worrisome indicator for a large sedan. These scores are consistent with results from the more stringent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which gives it a top rating of "good" in front impact tests, but only a "marginal" rating for side impacts.

Cars.com reports that "antilock brakes and side curtain airbags are standard" on all Buick LaCrosse trims. Consumer Guide adds that the Buick LaCrosse 2009 lineup also offers "dual front airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights" as standard equipment.

Electronic stability control—a lifesaving active safety feature that's strongly recommended by the editors of TheCarConnection—is standard on the Super model but optional for $495 on V-6 LaCrosse models. V-6 models come standard with a traction control system, which aids traction on snowy inclines but doesn't provide the same level of security and stability.

Visibility is not a serious issue with the 2009 Buick LaCrosse; Kelley Blue Book reports that "thin front and rear roof pillars keep blind spots to a minimum, but spotting the sloping hood's leading edge can be difficult" for someone in the driver's seat of this Buick LaCrosse 2009.

Conclusion

The 2009 Buick LaCrosse's side crash tests are bested by just about any other large sedan.

SAFETY | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact protection; three stars, front side impact protection; four stars, rear side impact protection and rollover resistanceNHTSAAcceptable, frontal offset protection; Marginal, side impact protectionIIHSantilock brakes and side curtain airbags are standardCars.comThin front and rear roof pillars keep blind spots to a minimumKelley Blue Book The 2009 Buick LaCrosse includes most of the expected safety equipment, but its side crash-test scores are just not up to snuff. The LaCrosse earned five out of five stars for frontal impact protection, as well as four stars for rear side impact protection and rollover resistance from the federal government, but only three stars for front side impact protection—among the lowest scores of any vehicles for 2009 and a worrisome indicator for a large sedan. These scores are consistent with results from the more stringent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which gives it a top rating of "good" in front impact tests, but only a "marginal" rating for side impacts. Cars.com reports that "antilock brakes and side curtain airbags are standard" on all Buick LaCrosse trims. Consumer Guide adds that the Buick LaCrosse 2009 lineup also offers "dual front airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights" as standard equipment. Electronic stability control—a lifesaving active safety feature that's strongly recommended by the editors of TheCarConnection—is standard on the Super model but optional for $495 on V-6 LaCrosse models. V-6 models come standard with a traction control system, which aids traction on snowy inclines but doesn't provide the same level of security and stability. Visibility is not a serious issue with the 2009 Buick LaCrosse; Kelley Blue Book reports that "thin front and rear roof pillars keep blind spots to a minimum, but spotting the sloping hood's leading edge can be difficult" for someone in the driver's seat of this Buick LaCrosse 2009. ConclusionThe 2009 Buick LaCrosse's side crash tests are bested by just about any other large sedan. 2009 BUICK LACROSSE STYLING | [6 out of 10] Detroit News: "felt comfortable but remained boring" Automedia: "Jaguar-like sculpting" Edmunds: "clean and elegant" 2009 is a carryover year for the LaCrosse; not much has changed with the model since 2007. Detroit News says that the 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Since its introduction in 2005, the Buick LaCrosse has been getting better, and new for 2009, Bluetooth and standard heated mirrors keep it competitive. Only the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 fitted with the HEMI can come close to offering the V-8 acceleration kick the LaCrosse Super has. However, this segment faces some very strong competition. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable offer a good ride, while feeling a bit abler in the handling department; the Ford siblings also beat the LaCrosse with class-leading safety ratings. The Toyota Avalon and Hyundai Azera are both plush cruisers like the LaCrosse, and each has a very plush-feeling interior that buyers might like better, depending on personal preferences. Then there's the Nissan Maxima, which is more of a sport sedan, with an interior that blows the competition away; however it's not nearly as smooth and quiet as the others.

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See the Buick LaCrosse in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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