2004 Chicago Auto Show

Think of this as a transitional car between the old (front-wheel-drive, tarted-up Chevy) and new (near-luxury, predominantly rear-drive) Buick. Like the latest Pontiac Grand Prix, the front-drive LaCrosse is on a carry-over platform from previous models. As Buick reshapes its product line, the LaCrosse will replace both the Regal and the Century, the latter will have some production overlap with this car. But unlike the Grand Prix, the LaCrosse's premium, 240-horse engine is the new 3.6-liter high-feature, DOHC Variable Valve Timing V-6 with 230 lb-ft., shared with the rear-drive Cadillac CTS and SRX. That engine is available only on the "sporty" CXS trim-level model, which also features 17-inch wheels. Base CX and more luxurious CXL models have 16-inch wheels standard, and they come only with the Gen III 200-horsepower 3.8-liter pushrod V-6. All LaCrosses get an extra 1.5-inches of wheelbase and rear-seat legroom versus Regal and one-half-inch more front- and rear-seat headroom, serious work on noise reduction, nicer interiors, better ride and handling, and improved fit-and-finish. The LaCrosse will be offered with a choice of five- or six-passenger versions. Buick says the 5mm door gaps are the best in the business. The car's nose looks like classic Buick meets Jaguar and Lexus; the rear deck has a "cove" in the sheetmetal in lieu of the traditional "wall-to-wall" taillamp reflector lens. LaCrosse goes on sale in the fall here and in Canada, where it is named "Allure."