Used 2017 Buick LaCrosse Consumer Reviews
Used LaCrosse for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
So far so good, but transmission is worrying
Christopher Edgar, 09/14/2019
2017 Buick LaCrosse Essence 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I've had my LaCrosse Essence for 3 years and 13k miles, leased, and it was my intention to purchase it once the lease ends, but I'm not so sure now. Good: This vehicle has been smooth and comfortable for the most part, so far. It's got some power, is quiet, has a smooth ride and is fun to drive. The gas mileage, while not what I hoped, is not terrible. It's got a really stylish interior design. Buick's Intellilink has an elegant look to it, and the navigation software looks much better than others I've seen, particularly with the 3D view. Disappointing/Bad: The #1 concern for this vehicle is the transmission. It hasn't been as bad for me as it has been for some people, but I noticed it shifts poorly when you slow down to a near stop then give it gas again. Does a sedan like this really need an 8-speed transmission? Will it fail for me at 70k miles like it has in one complaint? GM is not known for reliability (particularly automatic transmissions) and quality these days, but I heard that Buick was not like the rest. I'm worried that it might be, and the well-known clunky transmission is not a good sign. The stop-start, overall, doesn't bother me as much as it does other people, but it definitely seems like a waste. Beyond the unpredictability of it engaging properly, I have another concern: what's the point of a stop-start system that will only shut off the engine for 20 or so seconds then start it again, whether you move or not? I don't know why (maybe battery drain?) but it won't stay auto-stopped for any longer than that. The navigation interface is definitely clunky, and I agree with another reviewer that the climate controls are unintuitive and arcane. But I've grown used to it, even to the weird gear shift knob/system, and could live with it. I am pretty disappointed in the stereo system. I paid for the upgraded Bose system, but I suspect the head unit just doesn't put out enough power to make the speakers come alive. Feels like it has no midbass, no kick. In fact, despite Buick angling to get rid of the "car for old people" reputation, the stereo system comes off as... a stereo system for old people. Conclusion: Overall I love the car, and could live with all problems but one: the poorly-designed transmission that signs seem to indicate won't make it to 100k, or maybe even 60k, miles. That's the unforgivable sin GM is known for, and I am afraid they have committed it here. I suspect I may give up on buying the car and let the lease expire. I don't trust the transmission design to drop more money into this car, and I will not reward Buick by paying them to replace a defectively-designed transmission. Add on top of that the whole bailout thing combined with GM closing so much U.S. production anyway, and I have little inclination to be forgiving toward them. I've owned 3 GM cars, one of which, a 1999 Saturn SL-2, didn't last 6 years because of an engine defect that required 4 engine replacements -- I should have learned my lesson then. This will be my last.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent Vehicle
Fred Wulff, 05/01/2017
2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Excellent design, power, technology, ride, and value.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2017 Buick LaCrosse for sale near you
3 of 19 listings
- Essence SedanMSRP: $12,29710 mi away
- Essence SedanMSRP: $16,98518 mi away
- Preferred SedanMSRP: $13,2951 mi away
See all 19 listings
Incorrectly thinks it knows what's right (always)
D Dahl, 07/22/2017
2017 Buick LaCrosse 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
13 of 29 people found this review helpful
My wife and I rented a LaCrosse for a week in Colorado. We put more than 1000 miles on the car during this time. Pros: The seats are comfortable and the ride is nice. Cons: The controls and instrumentation are awful. The gear shift is very un-intuitive and you cannot go easily from manual shift mode back to automatic without going into neutral. The back-up camera comes on in reverse (duh), but it does not turn off until you roll forward for a while in a forward gear; this is distracting and unlike all the other cars I have driven. The paddle shifters are worse; it's very easy to hit them accidentally, at which point you *have* to shift via them; there is no easy way to go back into full automatic mode... you just wait until GM decides it's the right time to return to auto mode. The engine turns off when you come to a stop... sometimes... others it doesn't. The headlight controls are hidden by your left hand if you drive using 9-3 or 10-2 hand position. The touchscreen must be used for climate control and it's arcane and opaque in terms of getting the air set just right. The audio system controls on the touchscreen were such that I just turned the volume to zero to avoid having to deal with it (why no just turn it off? you ask... well, when I tried that, it turned off the whole touch screen along with the climate control). Overall, the user interface with this car is what I would expect from sophomore level design students who did not have enough time to complete their semester project. If it were simply a matter of getting used to different controls I would be more forgiving, but the controls o this car are just plain bad and would be a nagging irritation for as long as it's owned. Also, the gas tank is small and I had to hit the pumps more often than I expected. Not recommended at all.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Rebuilt still Love It
Rob Joy, 10/08/2019
2017 Buick LaCrosse Essence 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought This Car A weeks Ago.. It was Previously In an accident and Totaled because The Driver Air Bag Deployed.. Overall Nothing Unfixable was wrong with the car.. It was Repaired back to perfect condition And Drive Still Like New.. On Has 35k miles.. I only Paid 13k for The Car!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Try before you buy
E Barkowski, 02/28/2018
2017 Buick LaCrosse Preferred 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
3 of 7 people found this review helpful
It is cheaper to lease a Lexus or Mercedes than this LaCrosse.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort