2012 Buick Lacrosse vs 2012 Lexus ES

2012 Buick Lacrosse

2012 Lexus ES

Select style

4-Door Sedan Base FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Base FWD	25	36	$28,963	$30,170
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Convenience FWD	25	36	$29,990	$31,240
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Leather AWD	16	26	$33,475	$34,870
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Leather FWD	25	36	$31,396	$32,705
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Premium 1 AWD	16	26	$34,190	$35,615
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Premium 1 FWD	25	36	$32,112	$33,450
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Premium 2 AWD	16	26	$35,558	$37,040
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Premium 2 FWD	17	27	$33,470	$34,865
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Premium 3 FWD	17	27	$34,833	$36,285
LaCrosse 4-Door Sedan Touring FWD	17	27	$37,267	$38,820

Select style

4-Door Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ES 350 4-Door Sedan	19	28	$34,400	$36,725

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$28,963

$34,400

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,170

$36,725

Monthly Payment Estimate

$503 / month

$612 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

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.

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.

TCC Likes

New 36-mpg eAssist powertrain
Spacious, nicely trimmed interior
Absorbent but not pillowy ride

Comfortable ride and seating
Soft yet controlled ride
Classy interior trims

TCC Dislikes

Still not a sophisticated driving experience (4-cyl)
Luxury-brand price when loaded
Cheaper look and feel for Base model

Bland exterior
Lack of driving feedback

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

28 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

53.9

53.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.4

57.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

100.0

95.4

Second Head Room (in)

37.3

36.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

56.0

56.3

Front Leg Room (in)

41.7

42.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

55.2

55.9

Second Leg Room (in)

40.5

35.9

Front Head Room (in)

38.0

37.4

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.7

62.0

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

196.9

191.7

Height, Overall (in)

59.2

56.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.0

61.6

Wheelbase (in)

111.7

109.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.1

71.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.8

14.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.4 x 0.9

11.1 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6 x 1.2

11.7 x - TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.7

18.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.2

16.0

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.8

36.7

Steering Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.75

3.2

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

RAF

Front Tire Size

P235/50R17

P215/55R17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

RAF

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/50R17

P215/55R17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3829

3605

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

9.6

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

438

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

120

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

172 @ 4900

248 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

LUK

Displacement

2.4/145

3.5L/210

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

182 @ 6700

268 @ 6200

Engine Type

Gas/Electric I4

Gas V6

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.91

1.42

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.84

4.14

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.96

1.90

Trans Order Code

MHH

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.64

3.68

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/manual shift

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.75

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.58

3.30

Summary

Vehicle Name

Buick LaCrosse

Lexus ES 350

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

4-Link

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Dual-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

MacPherson Strut

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.3

8.3

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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