Buick LaCrosse to Get 30 MPG Highway

GM announced today that its all-new LaCrosse will get 30 mpg on the highway thanks to the direct-injection four-cylinder from the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. Via webcast, GMC-Buick vice president Susan Docherty said that makes it the “most efficient premium sedan” in its segment — including cars like the Acura TL, Lexus ES 350, Lincoln MKZ and Toyota Avalon, she later added.

The four-cylinder, which makes 182 hp, will come only on the base LaCrosse CX, with the midlevel CXL and top-dog CXS getting 255-hp or 280-hp V-6s. All three engines have six-speed automatics. GM estimates EPA certification of about 20/30 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder, chief engineer Chris Meagher said. Once the four-cylinders hit dealership lots, it could be responsible for 25% of all LaCrosse sales, GM says.

Pricing for the four-cylinder model hasn't been announced, but the 2010 LaCrosse CX with the V-6 starts at $27,085; given the $1,500 cost difference between the same two engines on the Chevy Equinox, we’d estimate the four-cylinder will start in the $25,000 range. All three recommend regular unleaded gasoline, vehicle line director Jeanne Merchant said; several would-be competitors sip premium. Here’s how the trims stack up:

• LaCrosse CX four-cyl.: $25,500 (est.), 20/30 mpg
• LaCrosse CX V-6: $27,085, 17/27 mpg
• LaCrosse CXL V-6: $29,645, 17/27 mpg
• LaCrosse CXL V-6 AWD: $31,820, 16/26 mpg
• LaCrosse CXS V-6: $33,015, 17/26 mpg

• 2009 Toyota Avalon: $27,845, 19/28 mpg; regular fuel
• 2010 Lincoln MKZ: $34,115, 18/27 mpg (17/24 mpg w/AWD); regular fuel
• 2009 Lexus ES 350: $34,470, 19/27 mpg; premium recommended
• 2009 Acura TL: $34,955, 18/26 mpg (17/25 mpg w/AWD); premium required