2008 Buick Lacrosse - Review

The Basics:

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).