Apr 13, 2017, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

What began as a mid-size replacement for Buick’s Century and Regal sedans in 2004 (for the 2005 model year), the 2017 LaCrosse begins its third generation as the Tri-Shield badge’s flagship vehicle.

Fully redesigned in 2010 and upmarketed as a full-size premium sedan, LaCrosse has been redesigned again for 2017 with a striking, all-new demeanor, sophisticated technologies and more-responsive performance. Longer, lower and wider than the previous model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger, yet lighter structure. It is about 300 pounds lighter than Gen-Two, thanks largely to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels, which contributes to greater efficiency and more responsive handling. There is also the introduction of “the new face of Buick,” which is influenced by new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color -- red, silver and blue -- Buick Tri-Shield insignia, accented by wing-shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars.

But the new LaCrosse is more than just looks and added tech. The luxury sedan is now powered by a new 3.6-liter V-6 engine paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring Stop/Start and Active Fuel Management. This set-up allows the V-6 to operate as a four-cylinder in many conditions.

Once marketed to the 65-70-year-old audience, Buick’s average customer age has dropped to 59, and LaCrosse hits that target by providing all the quietness and luxury that more experienced drivers require, while trending well with younger purchasers who demand high-tech, connectivity, safety, comfort and power to spare in a luxury package.

Vehicle highlights over four trim ranges include IntelliLink® with a frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay; Android Auto and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot integration (standard on all trims); a remote vehicle starter system and keyless open and start (standard on all trims); high-intensity discharge headlamps and LED signature lighting; LED taillamps, and the Teen Driver feature (standard on all trims) that allows parents to set controls, review driving habits and encourage safe driving habits even when they are not in the vehicle.

The dark finish version of the Buick waterfall grille bisected by a chrome bar with the three-color version of the Buick logo comes boldly at you in an elegant, forward-motion vehicle design that measures 197.5 inches in length, 73.5 inches in width and 57.5 inches in height on a 114.4-inch wheelbase. The La Crosse weighs in at 3840 lbs. curbweight for AWD.

Inside, the exterior elegance is paid off with interior lavishness, comforts, tech and quietness. With available leather, upgraded sound systems, connectivity, wireless charging and climate system, as well as the new lumbar massaging feature on certain trims, LaCrosse delivers what most buyers want in their luxury sedans.

Interior measurements are a bit tight for taller drivers at 38.4 inches of front headroom without sunroof and 37.2 inches in the rear; legroom is comfortable at 42 inches in row one and 40 inches for rear passengers; and shoulder room affords 57.7 inches up front and 55.1 in row two.

Safety is attended to with 10 standard air bags – including two knee air bags for front passengers; standard rear-vision camera; Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator and Safety Alert Seat, as well as several additional available safety packages.

From a power perspective, Buick LaCrosse muscles up with a 3.6-liter V-6 DOHC VVT engine with direct injection that delivers 310 hp and 282 lbs.-ft. of torque. Rated at 20mpg/city and 29mpg/highway for AWD, my test LaCrosse Premium averaged 23.3mpg in mixed-use driving.

On the highway, LaCrosse accelerated smoothly and predictably, handled well, showed minimal torque steer, cornered with aplomb and leveled road imperfections as expected from a luxury sedan.

On the track, the 3.6-liter showed a broad torque curve and finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.2 seconds during a brisk 14.7-second quarter-mile –that’s a half-second faster than my last test ride in a Gen-Two LaCrosse.

Available in four trims, the base LaCrosse starts at $32,990; the LaCrosse Preferred trim adds a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, SiriusXM radio and a cargo net and starts at $36,990; the LaCrosse Essence adds leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, memory settings for two drivers, auto-dimming rearview mirror and articulating headlamps and starts at $38,590; and the top-of-the-line LaCrosse Premium trim adds a heated steering wheel, 4-way lumbar with massage front seats, head-up display, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Safety Alert Seat, and starts at $41,990.

My test Buick LaCrosse Premium added AWD for $2,200; Quicksilver Metallic exterior paint added $395 and was matched to Ebony perforated leather inside; Driver Confidence Package #2 added adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, front automatic braking and front pedestrian detection for $1690; the Sights and Sounds Package added Buick IntelliLink® Radio with Navigation and Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound for $1145; a rear lip spoiler added $415; cool chrome air vents on the front quarter panels added $495; custom molded splash guards added $300; premium carpeted floor mats added $190 and Destination Freight Charges of $925 put the sticker-as-tested at $48,820.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.