What It Is: Buick has changed a lot in the past decade or so, but the LaCrosse is the car that currently hews most closely to the brand’s reputation for big, front-drive sedans that emphasize comfort over corner carving. It was redesigned for 2017 and receives a few updates for 2018. There’s a new base four-cylinder engine with hybrid assist, and a nine-speed automatic transmission replaces last year’s eight-speed unit for the now optional V-6 (which can be paired with all-wheel drive). Also new is the range-topping Avenir trim level tested here. It takes its name from the well-regarded concept car from a few years ago but really only amounts to an appearance package that adds some nicer trim inside and out plus a full load of features.

For even deeper coverage of the LaCrosse, view our Buyer’s Guide in-depth review.

Why We Tested It and How It Performed: While the Avenir trim level itself doesn’t include any mechanical changes beyond the aforementioned nine-speed transmission, the LaCrosse we tested did without the $1625 Dynamic Drive package that was on the last front-wheel-drive V-6 model we tested. That package—which is available on the Avenir—brings larger 20-inch wheels and tires, adaptive dampers, and General Motors’ HiPer Strut front suspension (designed to quell torque steer); instead this Avenir had the standard suspension and 19-inch wheels with all-season tires. Non-Avenir LaCrosse models without the Dynamic Drive package have 18-inch wheels and tires.

View Photos Chris Doane Automotive Car and Driver

This less aggressive chassis setup defied expectations and proved that bigger (and heavier) wheels and tires aren’t always better. Our test car’s 19-inch Goodyear Eagle Touring rubber performed better across the board than the 20-inch Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS tires, upping skidpad grip from 0.83 to 0.87 g and reducing the 70-mph-to-zero braking distance from 173 feet to an impressive 158 feet. The 19-inch setup also likely had something to do with the 0.3-second improvement in the LaCrosse’s zero-to-60-mph time, which dropped to 5.6 seconds, as we don’t think the nine-speed’s gearing is different enough from the eight-speed’s to account for the improvement. Neither the transmission nor the wheels had a varied impact on real-world fuel economy, as the 2018 car with the nine-speed and 19s hit 31 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the same as the 2017 model with the eight-speed unit and the 20s.

What We Like: The LaCrosse plays well to Buick’s traditional base with its comfortable ride, cosseting demeanor, and effortless power from the V-6. The new nine-speed transmission is a mostly smooth operator, generally executing unobtrusive shifts and only rarely getting tripped up by part-throttle applications. Handling is competent, and the LaCrosse feels appropriately large and solid without being ponderous. We like its looks, too—even if it doesn’t have the elegant proportions of the Avenir concept car, it incorporates bits of chrome trim such as Buick’s signature portholes in a subtle way, looking upscale but not garish.

View Photos Chris Doane Automotive Car and Driver

What We Don’t Like: Although the exterior pulls off a premium vibe worthy of the $47,485 as-tested price, the interior falls short. We struggled to notice the upgrades included in the Avenir spec, which adds $6200 over the one-rung-lower Premium model. Distinctions include different wood inserts and a Chestnut leather upholstery, but these aren’t really any nicer than what is found in non-Avenir LaCrosses we’ve sampled, making us question its value. And the Avenir’s extra standard equipment, such as the panoramic sunroof, navigation system, and Bose audio system, can be had as options on the less expensive LaCrosse Premium.

The only reason we might see for buying the Avenir is to get this better-performing 19-inch wheel-and-tire package—however, despite its objective advantages at the track, we still felt that the base suspension setup subjectively gives up a measure of precision and handling confidence compared with the Dynamic Drive car.

Verdict: The Avenir trim is of questionable worth, but the LaCrosse remains the most Buick-like of today’s Buicks.

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