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Buick LaCrosse (3rd Gen)

17-19 · Buick LaCrosse

79out of 100

GM's quietest car, with a Camaro engine. Nobody bought it because it said Buick on the hood.

Score breakdown

70/ 100Reliability×2.584/ 100True Annual Cost×1.595/ 100Safety×2.565/ 100Practicality×2.080/ 100Repairability×1.5

Our take

What it really is

The 3rd gen LaCrosse uses the LGX 3.6L V6, the same engine family as the Camaro. GM spent serious money on NVH isolation. Highway cabin noise is genuinely class-leading. The suspension tuning is deliberately soft and isolating.

Why it's on this list

Buick badge creates a massive depreciation discount. The LaCrosse is mechanically the same quality as a Cadillac CT5 at a fraction of the price. Quiet highway cruiser for $18-22k used.

The honest trade-offs

The soft suspension is a feature for some, a frustration for others. The infotainment system is adequate but not exceptional. Buick dealer network is shrinking. Parts are still GM, but finding an active Buick dealer is harder.

What to buy and what to avoid

2017-2019 with the 3.6L only. Avoid the 2.5L hybrid variant, which added complexity without meaningful fuel economy gain. Premium trim for the better seats if doing any highway driving.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$1,523 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$600 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$210 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$1,756 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,070 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$2,641 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$1,955 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
26[5]
MPG city / hwy
22 / 32[5]
Tank
19 gal[5]
Engine
LGX 3.6L V6
Horsepower
310 hp
Torque
282 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
13.3 cu ft
Ground clearance
5.1"
Stock tires
245/45R18
Body
Sedan (trunk)
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
5/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
12%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]
ESC standard
Yes

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Low
Frame rust risk
Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$555 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
3.5/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.6[1]
Severe issue probability
10%[1]
250k-mile survival
38%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$55 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
8/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Buick LaCrosse?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

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