As society progresses, consumers' vehicle needs are becoming more rational. This rationality can be reflected in two aspects: First, with a limited budget, they hope to purchase a car that can be "one-stop"; second, under the trend of overall consumption upgrade in the automotive industry, coupled with the market's no longer blind pursuit of SUV models, B-class sedans have become an important consideration for mainstream consumption.

When it comes to B-class cars in the domestic market, who comes to mind? I believe the majority of people would mention those mainstream models, such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat, or Volkswagen Magotan, etc. Although the sales of these models remain relatively stable, their drawbacks of being mediocre, lacking breakthroughs, and being too uniform have become increasingly apparent under the impact of market changes. The post-90s generation is now the main force in the automotive market, and our car selection must be both mainstream and individualistic, following trends while also being eye-catching! If you don't want to make a mistake, today I will introduce the all-new Buick LaCrosse to you. On May 15th, the all-new Buick LaCrosse was officially launched, with a price range of 179,900 to 239,900 yuan, and a total of 4 models were introduced.

Advertisement

Innovation in Design and Features

I still remember attending the first test drive of the previous generation LaCrosse, so when I saw the all-new LaCrosse, I had to marvel at the significant change in its style. The exterior adopts the latest family-style design language and also features the brand's newest logo. While retaining the impression of grandeur and stability that B-class cars traditionally give, the all-new LaCrosse has added a touch of youthful and fashionable temperament, making it stand out from the crowd.

At first glance, you will undoubtedly be immediately drawn to its front fascia, which is highly visually striking. The front end features a slim, split-headlight design combined with an exaggerated active grille, giving it a strong sense of technology and futurism. Honestly, it is not inferior to new energy vehicles at all; coupled with its elongated body, elegant fastback, and spoiler, along with the贯穿式尾灯 and dual exhaust layout, I came up with a few words to describe it: technological, cool, and stylish.Additionally, the all-new Buick LaCrosse features a Matrix adaptive matrix front lighting system with 222 LED light sources inside, offering 15 independent illumination zones, supporting 9 intelligent lighting modes, and equipped with pedestrian-friendly corner lamp design, which can intelligently adjust the light source as needed. At the same time, the taillights of the new LaCrosse adopt an integrated laser welding technology to form a 1.3-meter light chamber, with 352 LED light beads inside, complemented by dynamic lighting effects. When lit, they are not only recognizable but also exude a sense of fashion and dynamism.

It is worth noting that this generation of the LaCrosse caters to a variety of consumer preferences by offering five "gentlemanly" body colors, including Imperial Jade Blue, Tannish Silver, Modest Purple, Jade White, and Lang Black, as well as three humanized personalized interior color schemes—Lantian Jade, Rosy Dawn on Snow, and Hanlin Ink.

The surprises brought by the all-new LaCrosse go far beyond this. Upon entering the vehicle, if I were to cover the car logo, I think it would be difficult for you to immediately guess that this is a Buick LaCrosse, regardless of your familiarity with cars. The interior layout has shifted from the previous enveloping design to a more straightforward design, and the center console area features a hollowed-out design. The most eye-catching feature inside the car is the 30-inch 6K high-definition curved screen in front, which is a standard feature of Buick's new generation VCS intelligent cockpit, with a resolution of 6008×934. The slightly curved screen supports high-precision multi-touch, is treated with anti-glare and low-reflection surface processing, and is fingerprint-resistant. At the same time, the new car is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive-grade flagship chip, which, in conjunction with the efficient information transmission capabilities of the new generation VIP intelligent electronic architecture and 5G communication technology, can support system-level upgrades of the entire vehicle, including power system domain, seat system domain, and driving assistance domain. In addition, it will also be equipped with eConnect connectivity technology and the OnStar system.

Comprehensively excellent.

In the past, the LaCrosse also had a strong label, that is, comfort. To provide users with a better travel experience, the all-new LaCrosse deeply integrates comfort and product quality. First, in terms of body size, the all-new LaCrosse has dimensions of 4996/1866/1469mm, with a wheelbase of 2905mm. The extra-long wheelbase of 2905mm significantly enhances the headroom, knee room, and legroom in the rear seats. Compared to the wheelbases of competitors like the Accord and Passat, which are only around 2.85 meters, it can be said that the class-leading competition continues, and there is no need to worry about the space performance.Additionally, the seats are developed based on General Motors' global seat skeleton platform, featuring 3D floating comfort seats with higher strength and lighter weight. They are wrapped in Moli high-grade leather, with front and rear seat cushions measuring a leading 505mm and 485mm in their respective classes, providing ample support for the thighs. The Avenir model is equipped with the "Four Kings" seats—both front and rear seats have 3-level adjustable heating, 3-level suction ventilation, and massage functions. It also offers a passenger-side boss button and smart control functions for rear passengers. The overall comfort of the seats remains excellent, and it is worth mentioning that the front seat adjustment has been moved from the traditional position to the door panel, making it more convenient to use.

At the same time, the all-new Buick LaCrosse is equipped with an advanced and reliable eCruise intelligent driving assistance system. It offers 14 L2-level intelligent driving assistance functions that surpass its class, including full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane centering assistance, forward vehicle distance indication, forward collision warning, collision warning light prompt, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, lane change warning, side blind zone warning, rear vehicle passage warning, rear parking warning, front parking warning, and automatic parking assistance system. The all-new LaCrosse strives to make every user's travel more relaxed and composed.

Safety is always an essential keyword in travel. The all-new LaCrosse is designed and developed according to the latest C-NCAP five-star safety standards, featuring a robust BFI integrated body structure and a comprehensive range of active and passive safety configurations. The body extensively uses galvanized steel plates, offering excellent corrosion resistance. The proportion of high-strength steel in the entire vehicle reaches 72%, with A and B pillars using class-leading PHS ultra-high-strength steel, which is more than four times stronger than ordinary steel. Both the front and rear bumper beams are made of aluminum, with the rear bumper beam equipped with an aluminum energy-absorbing box, significantly enhancing the collision energy absorption effect. Moreover, the new car comes standard with Bosch ESP electronic stability control system, Autohold automatic parking, and TPMS intelligent tire pressure monitoring. The Avenir model exclusively features 19-inch Bridgestone TURANZA T005 self-sealing tires, providing all-around protection for a worry-free journey.

Mature Powertrain

In terms of power, the all-new LaCrosse offers two engine options: a 1.5T and a 2.0T. The 1.5T engine has a maximum power output of 180 horsepower and a peak torque of 250 Nm, matched with a CVT transmission. The 2.0T model is equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system, which significantly improves the driving experience at low speeds. The maximum power is 237 horsepower, with a peak torque of 350 Nm, matched with a 9AT transmission, which is more attractive than the dual-clutch transmissions found in Volkswagen Magotan and Passat. The WLTC combined fuel consumption is only 6.59L per 100 km. Considering that many B-class cars have discontinued the 2.0T engine in favor of a 2.0L engine, the LaCrosse's retention of the 2.0T engine may be one of its significant advantages. Moreover, this mature powertrain, already equipped in multiple models, speaks for itself and is a no-brainer purchase.The new Buick LaCrosse launch has introduced four models, with the overall price range being adjusted downwards. The starting price of the entry-level model has been reduced by 39,900 yuan compared to the previous generation; the top-of-the-line model's price has been lowered by an even more significant 49,900 yuan. Compared to its longstanding rivals such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, and Volkswagen Magotan, the LaCrosse's price range is more tactfully positioned, with a lower entry barrier and a relatively reasonable top-tier price. The new generation LaCrosse has directly offered a more sincere指导价.

We can compare the top-tier models, the new LaCrosse Avenir edition and the Honda Accord 260TURBO flagship edition. The Accord lacks some commonly used comfort and practical configurations, such as heated steering wheel, rear independent air conditioning, and ventilation/heating/massage for the second-row seats, which all reflect that the overall configuration performance of the Buick LaCrosse is higher. In terms of power, the Avenir version of the LaCrosse is equipped with a 2.0T engine and a 48V mild hybrid system, matched with GM's own 9-speed automatic transmission, and its power parameters are also superior to the Accord. Although the new car's fuel consumption does not have an advantage, it is reasonable considering the power performance. Overall, the new LaCrosse still maintains its advantage in overall product strength, with a very prominent cost-performance ratio.

The sincerity of the new LaCrosse is also reflected in the configuration of each model, with many of its highlight features now being standard across the range. Buick eConnect and VCS Smart Cabin, voice recognition control system, remote functions via mobile app, and a 30-inch curved 6K screen with a resolution of 6008x934 are all available even in the entry-level 25T model. Therefore, if you have a limited budget but really like the new LaCrosse, you can definitely consider the entry-level 25T model; if you pursue power, you can consider the 28T model; if you are looking for more technology and comfort configurations, you can choose the 28T Avenir model; and if you have a sufficient budget and pursue high-end and luxury attributes, you can directly choose the Avenir edition. All four models are highly recommended, and no matter which configuration, everyone can find a model that suits their needs.

Summary

A good price is half the success of a car model, and the other half is the product strength. The new Buick LaCrosse is excellent in both product strength and cost-performance ratio. In today's car market, more and more joint venture brands are joining the new energy vehicle race, such as the plug-in hybrid version of the GAC Honda Accord.

However, we also see that in the 2023 new car sales, although the new energy penetration rate has reached 30%, fuel vehicles still have 70% of the market space. Looking at the 2023 sedan sales, especially in the mid-to-high-end mid-size sedan segment, fuel vehicles still rank at the top, so the market share of fuel mid-size sedans in the new car market is still not to be ignored.The launch of the all-new Buick LaCrosse conveys a message that fuel is merely one form of power, a choice that does not signify being outdated. At the same time, the new LaCrosse is stepping out of its comfort zone in the new era, aiming to break the stereotypes about joint venture brands and reclaim its rightful market share.