2013 Buick LaCrosse Review

Name: 2013 Buick LaCrosse
Brand: Buick
Rating: 4.5 (33 reviews)

Price Range: $8,595 - $17,998

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$9,925 avg. price

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Buick LaCrosse model years

Buick LaCrosse for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Elegant interior styling
smooth and quiet ride
admirable driving dynamics
hybrid's respectable fuel economy
available all-wheel drive
top crash test scores.

Cons

Limited luggage space, especially with eAssist trim
compromised rearward visibility
slow acceleration with eAssist
cluttered control layout.

What’s new

For 2013, the Buick LaCrosse is unchanged other than a shuffling of feature availability.

Edmunds says

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse is a stylish luxury sedan that's also big on practicality.

For sale near Des Moines, IA

57 listings

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2013 Buick LaCrosse
Leather Group Sedan
$7,999
good price
$1,555 below market
- 120,733 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, rental vehicle
- 25 City / 36 Hwy MPG
- Your Choice Auto Sales of Elmhurst (289 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Elmhurst, IL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (25 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G4GC5E37DF276597
Stock: EM-276597
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2013 Buick LaCrosse
Leather Group Sedan
$9,495
fair price
$1,140 below market
- 84,570 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 25 City / 36 Hwy MPG
- Motor Max (481 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Louisville, KY
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (25 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G4GC5E37DF148540
Stock: 148540
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Vehicle overview

While midsize family sedans garner the most attention and sales, there's still a place for larger sedans that provide additional room and trunk space. One of the more appealing cars of this group is the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, a premium sedan that offers crisp styling, an elegant interior and impressive driving dynamics.

Debuting three years ago, this generation of the LaCrosse comes with a choice of two engines: a four-cylinder or a V6. The four-cylinder is actually a mild-hybrid "eAssist" powertrain that allows the LaCrosse to achieve an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 29 mpg. Granted, that number is still well shy of what you'd get with a full hybrid (one that can propel itself solely on electric power) such as the Lexus ES 300h, but that car comes only in a single trim that is considerably more expensive than a base, but still well-equipped, LaCrosse. If it's power you want, a 303-horsepower V6 is available, as is all-wheel drive.

Apart from adding some more standard features and shuffling the contents of various packages, the 2013 version of the LaCrosse stays the course. And that's fine with us, as it means there's still an elegant cabin with sweeping lines and rich surfaces, all set off by the generous use of LED accent lighting. The serene, roomy cabin is filled with useful features and luxuries, ranging from a rearview camera to a dual-screen video entertainment system.

The LaCrosse is so well rounded that we only have a few complaints -- namely, it has a very small trunk for a large sedan (even more so if equipped with the eAssist powertrain) and poor rearward visibility. At the same time, there are also some very appealing choices out there, including the Acura TL, Hyundai Genesis and Lexus ES 350. You could also check out the Chrysler 300 and Ford Taurus if you're not so concerned with having a car with an upscale badge. Ultimately, you really can't go wrong with any of them, but we can tell you the well-rounded 2013 Buick LaCrosse is a fine choice.

Performance & mpg

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse is offered with a choice of two engines. For maximum fuel economy there is the eAssist mild hybrid powertrain, which is standard on base and Leather trim levels. This system pairs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an 11-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Total output is 182 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels by way of a six-speed automatic transmission.

In Edmunds track testing, a LaCrosse with eAssist ran the 0-60-mph dash in 9.2 seconds: a rather leisurely performance for this segment. Still, this powertrain is about efficiency, not speed. Aided by clever aerodynamic improvements like automatically controlled shutters behind the grille, it delivers impressive EPA estimates of 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined.

Buyers looking for additional thrust can opt for the 3.6-liter V6 that cranks out 303 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered here, but buyers do have a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Fuel mileage estimates stand at 17 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 17/25/20 with all-wheel drive.

Safety

Standard safety features for the LaCrosse include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard is OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation. Rear-seat side-impact airbags and a blind-spot alert system are available as options.

In Edmunds brake testing, a LaCrosse with the 3.6-liter engine and 19-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 127 feet -- a bit longer than average. A LaCrosse with eAssist and 17-inch wheels turned in a much stronger performance, stopping from 60 mph in 115 feet -- excellent for this segment.

In government crash tests, the LaCrosse scored five (out of a possible five) stars overall, with five stars awarded for both frontal- and side-impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it its top "Good" rating in both frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Driving

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the 2013 Buick LaCrosse is the driving experience. The LaCrosse is blessed with precise steering and secure handling, yet it also has the plush ride quality one expects of a luxury sedan. Also notable are the quiet interior that adds to the upscale feel. Poor rearward visibility is a problem, however, making the available blind-spot warning system and rearview camera worthwhile investments.

The eAssist model's mild-hybrid system operates seamlessly, rarely reminding the driver of its existence. For instance, when the engine shuts off automatically when the car comes to a stop, you don't get as much of the telltale shudder when it turns back on as is common to most auto stop-start systems. Unfortunately, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder that provides a majority of the motivation here (the electric motor provides limited assistance) sounds unrefined and feels sluggish. The strong V6 is better suited for the LaCrosse's personality, though its fuel economy is not nearly as good.

Interior

Slide behind the steering wheel of the 2013 Buick LaCrosse and you'll find yourself surrounded by graceful curves and upscale materials. Even after the sun sets, the cabin's flowing lines are emphasized by soft blue ambient lighting that adds a classy touch.

If there's a weakness in this artful design, it's that the controls aren't quite as straightforward and intuitive as some traditional Buick buyers might like. Just the same, we think the various buttons and knobs used to control the audio, climate control and navigation systems will become a non-issue once owners amass some seat time.

As you'd expect in a luxury sedan, the LaCrosse's cabin is long on comfort. Seats are supportive and there's plenty of leg- and shoulder room even in the backseat. The available heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats are especially pampering.

The LaCrosse's trunk is on the small side, however. With just 13.3 cubic feet of capacity, it holds less than some compact sedans. It's even less in models equipped with the eAssist powertrain, where the hybrid battery pack reduces capacity to 10.8 cubic feet. The smallish opening can also make loading larger items problematic.

2013 Buick LaCrosse models

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse is a large luxury sedan available in five trim levels: Base, Leather, Premium 1, Premium 2 and Touring.

Base models come nicely equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming mirror, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), split-folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, OnStar, Bluetooth, an 8-inch display and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack, iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration.

Spring for the Leather model and you get foglamps, heated mirrors, rear park assist, a rearview camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver memory settings and an eight-way power front passenger seat.

The Premium 1 ups the ante with the 3.6-liter V6, 18-inch wheels, keyless ignition/entry, perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather/wood-trimmed steering wheel and a power rear window sunshade. The Premium 2 adds chrome wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a 120-volt household-style power outlet and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system.

At the top of the line is the Touring model, which features 19-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension, xenon headlights, a blind spot warning system, a head-up display, digital music storage and a navigation system.

Some of the features found on the upper trim levels can be added to the lower trims as options. Other notable options include a sunroof, rear side airbags and a rear seat video entertainment system with dual headrest-mounted screens.

Compare 2013 Buick LaCrosse trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa

$120/mo

$185/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Reliability

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #15 out of 28 among Midsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#15 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$447/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

0.81x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

12.7%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

Recalls

5 recalls found

Recall Number:: 21V633000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: N212330130
Number of vehicles affected:: 32894
Defect Description:: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Defect Consequence:: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.

Recall Number:: 21V00F000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: N212346640
Number of vehicles affected:: 4271
Defect Description:: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Defect Consequence:: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

Recall Number:: 20V764000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: N202308930
Number of vehicles affected:: 213128
Defect Description:: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Defect Consequence:: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be mailed an interim notification on February 15, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 21, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

Recall Number:: 13V173000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 13136
Manufactured from:: 2012-03-06 to 2012-11-15
Number of vehicles affected:: 42904
Defect Description:: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Defect Consequence:: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Corrective Action:: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Recall Number:: 13V097000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 13053
Manufactured from:: 2012-04-25 to 2013-03-06
Number of vehicles affected:: 26582
Defect Description:: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Defect Consequence:: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action:: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on March 28, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles

Buick LaCrosse Owner Reviews

4.5

33 reviews

5(64%)

4(30%)

3(3%)

2(3%)

1(0%)

See all 33 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

buick lacrosse offers great value

dlf8, 03/26/2013

2013 Buick LaCrosse Leather Group 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)

I bought a 2013 Lacrosse in August and have been very pleased. It came with the E-Assist, 4 cylinder and usually get 20 to 21 miles per gallon in town and 38 to 40 miles per gallon on the road. It has plenty of power and the hybrid gives you a boost in horsepower when needed. I am 6 ft 3 and have plenty of room in the front and also as a passenger in the back seat. The automobile is very …

Better than my 530i

josephy, 03/25/2013

2013 Buick LaCrosse Touring Group 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

We bought our 2013 Buick LaCrosse Touring about three weeks ago and have put about a thousand miles on it. Engine is crazy smooth. Transmission is slick. Interior is just perfect. The car is super quiet. The ride is supple, although I'm really enjoying sport mode, which instantly stiffens the ride. Electronics are going to take a while to master, for sure, but the Harmon Kardon sound …

Had my car 5 years....love it still!

Sesa, 07/04/2018

2013 Buick LaCrosse Premium I Group 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

I bought my 2013 Buick Lacrosse new. It is large, comfortable and quiet inside. We easily fit what are now 3 teenaged girls in the back seat, and my very large husband has no problem getting comfortable behind the wheel for long drives. We have taken the Lacrosse on several 1200-1400 mile trips, and have put about 57,000 miles on it. It accelerates smoothly and is responsive to my …

Excellent Domestic Sedan

Robert, 09/24/2016

2013 Buick LaCrosse Premium I Group 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

I purchased vehicle used (14K) and have driven it 28K during the past three years. At 40K, there have been no maintenance issues whatsoever, and the vehicle drives as smooth as silk, with excellent acceleration, handling, and a very comfortable and quiet ride. Materials are top notch, and many of my neighbors who drive foreign cars have expressed their admiration for the interior and …

See all 33 reviews of the Buick LaCrosse

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2013 LaCrosse Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$31,660
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$120/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the LaCrosse include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat4 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.8%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

2013 Buick LaCrosse Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Des Moines, IA

2013 Buick LaCrosseLeather Group Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2013 Buick LaCrosseLeather Group Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Vehicle overview

Performance & mpg

Safety

Driving

Interior

2013 Buick LaCrosse models

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Buick LaCrosse Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

buick lacrosse offers great value

Better than my 530i

Had my car 5 years....love it still!

Excellent Domestic Sedan

2013 LaCrosse Highlights

Safety

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2013 Buick LaCrosse
Leather Group Sedan

2013 Buick LaCrosse
Leather Group Sedan