2014 Buick
LaCrosse eAssist

10 Things To Know About The 2014 Buick LaCrosse

The 4-cylinder 2014 Buick LaCrosse eAssist features General Motors’ eAssist system, a pseudo-hybrid that boosts fuel economy by about 25%. Not quite a full-on hybrid, but it has a different alternator, which is that thing that charges your car’s battery. Fuel economy estimates are 25-MPG city/37 MPG hwy, which is pretty good for a big car.

This year’s LaCross is available in a whopping five new colors, giving drivers a choice of ten. We especially like the Midnight Amethyst Metallic (another purple, although very subtle) and a chocolatey dark brown. They’re also offering some new interior colors as well.

The Buick LaCrosse eAssist features something called Quiettuning technology, and it takes its job seriously. This car is as quiet inside as a library. If it’s inner calm you want, you got it.

Like Buicks of days gone by, the car’s ride is tuned for comfort. But it’s not a floaty, disconnected ride. Handling is sharp and responsive. Not quite BMW or Audi territory, but it’s as good as most Japanese luxury cars.

For families, the 2014 Buick LaCrosse eAssist has a good-sized back seat that can fit kids of all shapes and sizes. It’s a big sedan, so that’s no surprise. But going with the eAssist means that there’s a battery in the trunk, which cuts down on the cargo space for bulky strollers and stuff. V6 models don’t have the battery in the trunk, but it’s still on the smaller side.

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse eAssist has received the highest possible 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. This means it scores well in the crash tests, but it also has added some great safety features that help avoid accidents as well, including: lane change alert, collision alert, rear cross traffic alert, (for backing out of parking spaces) and blind zone alert.

Don’t you hate it when you’re driving on the highway, cruise control set, and someone in front of you slows down, making you break your stride? One great new feature in the Buick LaCrosse eAssist is the adaptive cruise control, which adjusts its speed according to a radar traffic sensor.

Buick has gone all-out with the techie stuff for this model. In addition to the aforementioned safety stuff, they’ve upped the IntelliLink infotainment system as well. Drivers can swipe and drag on an 8 inch screen, which can store up to 60 preset radio stations, destinations, contacts, etc. And every version comes with Buick’s OnStar system, which automatically calls for help in any crash severe enough to deploy the airbags.

The interior has gotten a nice makeover for 2014, and it goes a long way toward helping Buick shed its image as a…let’s say a mature driver’s car. It now has a refreshed interior, with the look of natural wood and a warmer, lighter feel. Depending on how much you want to spend, better quality leather and microfiber seats are available as well. The Buick LaCrosse eAssist is available in a four trim levels, including LaCrosse (1SB), Leather (1SL), Premium I (1SP) and Premium II (1SR).

From the driver’s seat, you might feel like a little kid wearing grown-up shoes. The Buick LaCrosse eAssist is a pretty big car, and for short-ish drivers the tall sides and high cowl make it feel even bigger. Thank goodness for the height-adjustable driver’s seat! It helps visibility to the front, but the small rear window pinches the sightlines to the rear. Good to spring for the optional rear-view camera.

Pricing and Trim Levels

Pricing for the 2014 Buick LaCrosse starts at $34,060. The LaCrosse is available in a dizzying array of trim levels: Base, Leather, Premium I, Premium II, and each of those offered with several options. Also, you can chose from a traditional or eAssist engine, or a V-6. which is available with all-wheel drive. Still, pricing remains reasonable even as you pile on the options--even with the AWD Premium package, you'll still come in just under $40k.