more about this model
Pros Great highway car; good rear legroom; strong fuel economy; loads of safety features.
Cons Few storage compartments; small trunk; poor rear visibility.
The "eAssist" badge on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is a quiet announcement that comfort, luxury and roominess can coexist with fuel efficiency.
The LaCrosse, quiet and smooth at highway speeds, not only seats five comfortably but its backseat offers limousinelike legroom. And yet this attractive sedan is capable of attaining 36 mpg on the highway thanks to its mild hybrid system, known as eAssist. The EPA rates the new 2012 Buick LaCrosse at 29 mpg on the combined driving cycle. We, however observed a somewhat lower 24.1 mpg over 700 miles of stop-and-go highway driving.
General Motors has chosen to not trumpet this car's mild hybrid powertrain, a reaction to GM's first use of this technology with several Saturn models, which brought a backlash of negative publicity when fuel economy was boosted by only about 2 mpg. This time around, GM is under-promising even as it is over-delivering by improving the LaCrosse's mpg rating by nearly 25 percent. The eAssist is standard in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, although a V6 engine is an option. In the 2012 Buick Regal, the eAssist system is available as a $2,000 option.
The LaCrosse starts at $32,440 (our loaded, top-trim test car stickered at almost $38,000) and competes against the powerful, rear-wheel-drive 2012 Hyundai Genesis or the refined and more expensive 2012 Lexus ES 350. Shoppers set on getting a hybrid should also look at the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which gets even better fuel efficiency.
Performance The LaCrosse's eAssist combines a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system to post impressive fuel economy numbers (25 city/36 highway) for such a roomy sedan. The mild hybrid system is essentially an automatic stop/start function that shuts down the engine at a full stop and then smoothly brings the engine to life again when you put your foot on the throttle. This feature (rapidly being adopted by lots of car manufacturers, notably those in Europe) works with this LaCrosse model's improved aerodynamics to boost fuel efficiency. The auto-stop feature might strike some drivers as unusual at first, but it is intuitive and turns the car's gas engine on and off without hesitation or shuddering, and indeed, it's the best example of this technology that we've experienced.
The hybrid system recaptures energy through regenerative braking and stores it in a lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine gets a 15-horsepower boost from an 11-kilowatt electric motor to develop a total of 182 hp, which is sufficient to propel the LaCrosse from a standstill to 60 mph in a respectable 9.4 seconds. The four-cylinder engine has to rev pretty hard to make its power, offers modest torque (developing only 172 pound-feet) and can sound a bit harsh under strong acceleration. Still, the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission efficiently manages power to the front wheels and provides an overall pleasant driving experience.
The LaCrosse's steering is light and effortless, and while there's little feedback, it seems appropriate for a luxury sedan. In Edmunds testing we learned that the Michelin P235/50R17 Energy Saver all-season tires provide less cornering grip than conventional all-season tires, which is reflected in the skid pad tests and an average speed of 61.5 mph through the slalom. The suspension is particularly soft, providing a pleasing highway ride but allowing noticeable body roll through the corners.
The LaCrosse's antilock disc brakes, with brake assist, provided excellent stopping power, bringing the sedan to a stop from 60 mph in only 114.9 feet. Among other safety features are stability and traction control, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and the OnStar telematics system. Our test car also came with the radar-based blind-zone alert system that displays an icon on the outside mirrors when there is a vehicle in a blind spot on either side of the car. This is a welcome feature for driving on increasingly congested multilane highways.
Comfort Previous Buick owners who are stepping up to this new-generation LaCrosse will likely be impressed by the driving dynamics of this elegant sedan. However, those preferring a firm, responsive ride should either opt for the nimble Buick Verano or a sport-oriented competitor such as the Hyundai. Yet there's no denying that the LaCrosse comes into its own on the open road, where it is remarkably stable and confident. Around town, the LaCrosse accelerates adequately and the auto-stop feature reduces stress at long lights where, otherwise, sitting still and burning gas would seem horribly wasteful.
Thanks to Buick's use of extra acoustic insulation and thicker glass, the cabin is ultra-quiet and well insulated. The front driver and passenger power seats provide excellent lower back support and are very comfortable. Meanwhile, the backseat legroom is a full 2 inches longer than in competing cars.
Function The center console is attractive and well laid out. The Bluetooth connection was easy to establish and worked flawlessly. There is a surprising lack of storage compartments in front of the shifter. Most modern consumers have come to expect a handy place to park their wallet and cell phone while driving. The only spot for storage is in a roll-top compartment that's awkwardly placed too far back. No sunglasses compartment is provided above the rearview mirror and the door storage compartments, which are expandable, are narrow and provide little practical use.
The LaCrosse's gauges are subtle and pleasing and the interior mood lighting (including a glowing line of light blue across the dash) is quite elegant. However, the video screen for the rear back-up camera is grainy, and it's also slow to appear once the car is placed in Reverse. One other ergonomic failing lies in the ignition key, a conventional, square-tipped key that is hard to insert in the ignition in the dark (no courtesy light helps you guide it into the ignition). One would expect a car of otherwise high quality to have a smart key and push-button start.
Virtually the only real compromise of the hybrid system appears when the trunk is opened. A boxy intrusion, labeled with a battery icon, shows that much of the storage room is taken up by the hybrid's battery. However, the trunk does permit two golf bags to be stored without much difficulty, while one rear seatback folds down for a pass-through opening. The front-facing visibility is somewhat compromised by the A-pillar, though this is a common design — and problem — in many modern cars. The rear visibility is also less than ideal.
Design/Fit and Finish In carbon black metallic, our test car looked long and sleek, with pleasing lines evoking something of the 1960s, a measure of the tasteful yet modern design that is coming from GM these days. Inside and out, this LaCrosse felt solid and well-constructed thanks to both the quality of the materials and an excellent standard of build quality. Dual DVD screens for the backseat passengers mean that even families with small children could be happy in this car on long road trips. The low monthly cost of fuel — estimated at $143 as compared to $179 in the Hyundai Genesis — reduces the True Cost of Ownership ® substantially.
Who should consider this vehicle The roomy interior, hybrid powertrain and acceptable cargo space make the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist either a useful family car or a great calling card for executives. Moreover, it might give former Buick owners motivation to return to the brand and even attract eco-leaning buyers with its combination of fuel efficiency and comfort.
Others To Consider
Acura TL, Hyundai Genesis Sedan, Lexus ES 350, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Used 2012 Buick LaCrosse listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2012 Buick LaCrosses for sale near you. There are currently 199 used and CPO 2012 LaCrosses listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 7,581 and mileage as low as 33,574. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2012 LaCrosse available from one of 2,633 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2012 Buick LaCrosse ?
Save up to $300 on one of 21 used 2012 Buick LaCrosses for sale at dealerships within 25 miles with prices as low as $7581 as of May 23, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 102 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1.7 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2012 Buick LaCrosse trim styles:
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Premium III Group is priced around $11139 with average odometer reading of 98723 miles.
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Convenience Group is priced around $10238 with average odometer reading of 100202 miles.
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Touring Group is priced around $13450 with average odometer reading of 86062 miles.
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Leather Group is priced around $12746 with average odometer reading of 73762 miles.
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Premium II Group is priced around $13993 with average odometer reading of 67020 miles.
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Premium I Group is priced around $12910 with average odometer reading of 77522 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near you. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse?
Available Buick LaCrosse 2012 Submodel Types: SedanHybrid
Available Buick LaCrosse 2012 Trims: EssenceCXLPremiumCXBaseCXSPremium I GroupLeather GroupPreferredPremium II GroupAvenirConvenience GroupPremium III GroupTouring Group1SVSport Touring
Exterior Colors: White Frost TricoatSummit WhiteEbony Twilight MetallicBlack OnyxDark Sapphire Blue MetallicDeep Garnet MetalllicChampagne Silver MetallicDark Slate MetallicMidnight Blue MetallicPepperdust MetallicRed Jewel TintcoatGraphite Gray MetallicSterling Silver MetallicDark Forest Green MetallicQuicksilver MetallicSmoky Gray MetallicWhite OpalGold Mist MetallicMidnight Amethyst MetallicPlatinum MetallicMocha Bronze MetallicMocha Steel MetallicRed Quartz TintcoatSatin Steel MetallicWhite Diamond TricoatCarbon Black MetallicCrimson Red TintcoatCrystal Red Tintcoat Dark Chocolate MetallicAtlantis Blue MetallicDeep Sapphire MetallicGlacier Blue MetallicMidnight Blue Metallic Slatestone MetallicSparkling Silver MetallicStone Gray MetallicStorm Grey Metallic
Interior Colors: Ebony w/Ebony Interior Accents leatherLight Neutral Seats w/Dark Brown Interior Accents leatherLight Neutral w/Cocoa Interior Accents leatherLight Neutral w/Dark Brown Interior Accents leatherEbony w/Ebony Interior Accents premium leatherNeutral leatherBrandy Seats w/Ebony Interior Accents leatherGrayCashmere leatherDark Titanium/Light Titanium leatherDark Titanium/Light Titanium premium leatherGray leatherLight Neutral w/Cocoa Interior Accents premium leatherNeutral clothCocoa/Light Cashmere clothCocoa/Light Cashmere leatherEbony w/Ebony Interior Accents leatherette/clothTitanium leatherChoccachino w/Ebony Interior Accents leatherCocoa/Light Cashmere premium leatherEbonyEbony leatherLight Neutral Seats w/Dark Brown Interior Accents leatheretteLight Neutral w/Cocoa Interior Accents leatherette/clothLight Neutral w/Dark Brown Interior Accents leatheretteCashmere premium leatherEbony w/Brandy Interior Accents leatherEbony w/Chestnut Interior Accents leatherGray clothLight Cashmere premium leatherCashmere clothChoccachino w/Cocoa Interior Accents leatherChoccachino w/Ebony Interior Accents premium leatherDark Titanium/Light Titanium clothEbony premium leatherSangria w/Ebony Interior Accents premium leatherTitanium clothTitanium premium leather
Popular Features: Mobile InternetKeyless Entry/StartApple Carplay/Android AutoAutomatic Emergency BrakingLane Departure WarningAdaptive Cruise ControlPre-collision safety systemAlarmAudio and cruise controls on steering wheelAuto Climate ControlAux Audio InputsBluetoothFold Flat Rear SeatsMulti-Zone Climate ControlPost-collision safety systemPower Driver SeatRear Bench SeatsRemote StartStability ControlTire Pressure WarningTrip ComputerUSB InputsHeated seatsLeather SeatsParking sensorsBlind Spot MonitoringCooled SeatsHeads up displayUpgraded HeadlightsSunroof/MoonroofBack-up cameraNavigationUpgraded EngineUpgraded StereoAWD/4WD
Engine/Mechanics: 64 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel driveall wheel drive
Used 2012 Buick LaCrosse Overview
The used 2012 Buick LaCrosse is offered in the following submodels: Sedan, Hybrid. Available styles include Premium I Group 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A), Leather Group 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A), and Premium II Group 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A). Pre-owned LaCrosse models are available with a 0-liter hybrid engine or a 0-liter flex-fuel (FFV) engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2012 LaCrosse comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.
