2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Ride (CX, CXL)
- Ride/handling (CSX)
- Instruments/controls
Cons
- Handling (CX, CXL)
- Rear-seat comfort
Vehicle Highlights
Buick replaced its Century and Regal sedans for 2005 with a slightly larger version of their basic front-drive design. LaCrosse offered five-place seating with front buckets or six-passenger seating with a flip-and-fold front center seat. Three trim levels were offered: CX and step-up CXL use a 200-hp V6. The top-line CXS had a 240-hp V6. It came with a sportier suspension and 17-inch wheels vs. the others' 16s. All used a 4-speed automatic transmission. Each LaCrosse had 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS and traction control were standard on CXS, optional on the others. An antiskid system was an exclusive CXS option. Curtain side airbags were optional on all; front torso side airbags were unavailable. CXL and CXS had leather upholstery. Optional on CX and standard on the others were a tilt/telescope steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a split folding rear seatback. Remote engine start and a sunroof were optional on all.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Buick LaCrosse CXL w/6-pass. seating Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 8 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 59 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse.
Year to Year Changes
2006 Buick LaCrosse:
All LaCrosse models added safety features for 2006. CX and CXL models gained ABS that was previously optional. Also newly standard on all LaCrosses were curtain side airbags.
2007 Buick LaCrosse:
Buick's midsize sedan was little-changed for 2007.
2008 Buick LaCrosse:
The 2008 Buick LaCrosse got interior and exterior upgrades as well as an available V8 engine. New for 2008 was the high-performance LaCrosse Super with a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8, sport suspension, and unique trim.
Our road test for the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Both LaCrosse engines furnish brisk takeoffs, but the 200-hp engine in CX and CXL lacks passing muscle. CXS' 240-hp engine is stronger at all speeds and did 7.1 sec 0-60 mph in our tests. The automatic transmission is smooth with either engine. A test CXL averaged 21.1 mpg; a CXS averaged 18.3, both in mixed city/highway driving on the recommended regular unleaded fuel. Ride and handling were average. CX and CXL were comfortably absorbent, though they had a tendency to wallow over bumps at highway speed. Around corners, these models showed notable body lean and overboosted steering. The CXS' sport-tuned suspension sharp bumps more than the other models, but it compensated with more composed handling. All models tested were quiet, with wind rush noted at 65 mph and body drumming over coarse pavement. Some testers said the 240-hp V6 rivaled top import brands for smoothness, others were hesitant to put it in the same league with perennial favorites Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The quality of LaCrosse's interior materials impressed, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and solid assembly. Seat comfort was generally good, with the fronts providing decent lateral support and adequate head and leg room for all but the very tall. The rear seat was praised for its leg and toe space, admonished for its lack of thigh support. Cargo space and loading were hampered by a narrow opening and structural beam located behind the rear seat. In-cabin storage was good, however.
Value for the Money
LaCrosse generates more division among our testers than most cars. All agree that no model matches Honda Accord or Toyota Camry for overall value. Some testers say the CX and CXL models suffer outdated engineering and poor road manners, and that the CXS falls short of its sporty promise. Conversely, other testers like the CX and CXL for their traditional Buick room and comfort, and the CXS for its engine and handling.
LaCrosse generates more division among our testers than most cars. All agree that no model matches Honda Accord or Toyota Camry for overall value. Some testers say the CX and CXL models suffer outdated engineering and poor road manners, and that the CXS falls short of its sporty promise. Conversely, other testers like the CX and CXL for their traditional Buick room and comfort, and the CXS for its engine and handling.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Buick LaCrosse CXL w/6-pass. seating Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 8 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 59 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Buick LaCrosse includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Buick LaCrosse .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
Radio reception may be poor or have static because the rear window defogger may have invisible cracks in the grid lines. (2005)
Brake noise:
The front brakes may get noisy in stop-and-go traffic because a film develops on the brake rotor. Redesigned brake pads eliminate the problem by continually scraping the film away. (2005)
Electrical problem:
The PCM was being replaced for a defective chip under a voluntary emissions recall because it affected the fuel pump and EGR system. (2005)
Electrical problem:
If the OnStar system quits or won't come on (no power), but comes back to life if the fuse is removed for five minutes, the vehicle communications interface module must be replaced or else the problem will recur. (2005-06)
Fuel gauge:
The engine may not start or may stall because the tank is empty yet the gauge shows fuel remaining, or the fuel gauge will not show full after refilling due to sulfur corrosion of the fuel level sender and, if after treating with Fuel System Cleaner PLUS the problem remains, the sender may need to be replaced. (2004-06)
Rear axle noise:
Noises from the rear of the car, when there is about a quarter-tank or less of gas, are due to the fuel pump pulling in air. There is a redesigned pump to fix this. (2005)
Water leak:
Water may leak from the A-pillar (between windshield and door) due to a seam that was not properly sealed or onto the floor from the fresh air intake grille or the water deflector under the cowl needs to be replaced with an improved component. (2005)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $670 |
| Alternator | $460 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $2,700 |
| Brakes | $580 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $3,500 |
| Exhaust System | $810 |
| Radiator | $670 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,110 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $560 |
Our price chart for this generation Buick LaCrosse details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| LaCrosse CX, CXL | $15,000-17,500 | $13,700-15,900 | $9,500-11,000 |
| LaCrosse CXS | $18,200-19,700 | $16,700-18,100 | $11,600-12,600 |
| LaCrosse Super V8 | $21,000-23,000 | $19,300-21,200 | $13,700-15,000 |
| 2007 | |||
| LaCrosse CX, CXL | $13,200-15,300 | $12,000-13,900 | $7,700-8,900 |
| LaCrosse CXS | $16,200-17,500 | $14,700-15,900 | $10,400-11,200 |
| 2006 | |||
| LaCrosse CX, CXL | $11,500-13,500 | $10,400-12,200 | $6,300-7,400 |
| LaCrosse CXS | $14,500-15,500 | $13,200-14,100 | $9,000-9,600 |
| 2005 | |||
| LaCrosse CX, CXL | $10,000-11,800 | $9,000-10,600 | $5,200-6,100 |
| LaCrosse CXS | $13,000-14,000 | $11,800-12,700 | $7,500-8,100 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Buick LaCrosse include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 110.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 198.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.0 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.4 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3495 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.0 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.2 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.6 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A pair of engines were available in LaCrosse. CX and CXL used a 200-hp 3.8-liter V6. CXS had a 240-hp 3.6-liter V6. Both engines teamed with a 4-speed automatic transmission. New for 2008 was the high-performance LaCrosse Super with a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8, sport suspension, and unique trim.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 200 | 230 | 4-speed automatic: 20/29 | 4-speed automatic: 21.1 |
| dohc V6 | 3.6 / 217 | 240 | 225 | 4-speed automatic: 19/27 | 4-speed automatic: 18.3 |
| ohv V8 | 5.3 / 325 | 300 | 323 | 4-speed automatic: 16/24 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Buick LaCrosse include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2005 LaCrosse |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2005 LaCrosse:
Clip that secures brake pushrod to pedal arm could be bent; if it comes off, pushing on pedal will not apply the brakes.
2005 LaCrosse:
Some vehicles may have a bent brake pedal arm pin, causing the brakes not to apply when the pedal is pushed. Dealer will install a new brake pedal pushrod bushing and retaining clip.
2005-06 Lacrosse w/aftermarket leather seats:
Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. GM will purchase these vehicles for the full price paid for it (not exceeding the fair market value at the time it was bought), including taxes and fees, if the vehicle is returned to GM's possession by January 31, 2007. Through January 31, 2007, GM will also pay for the removal of any aftermarket accessories that may have been installed and return them to the customer.
2007:
The fuel tank is missing the adhesive layer that bonds the barrier layer to the outer shell of the fuel tank. With this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect the serial number on the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank if necessary.
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