2018 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD
The 2018 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD is a large, five-passenger near-luxury sedan built around quietness, passenger comfort, and understated styling. It represents the upscale end of Buick’s third-generation LaCrosse lineup, pairing a strong V6 with all-wheel drive and a notably roomy cabin. Car and Driver
Powertrain and driving character
The Premium AWD uses GM’s 3.6-liter direct-injected V6, producing 310 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque, paired for 2018 with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. AWD adds useful all-weather traction, while the LaCrosse remains fundamentally comfort-oriented: steering is relatively isolated and the ride is soft, although models equipped with the optional adaptive suspension and 20-inch wheels feel considerably more controlled. Car and Driver
Comfort is the main attraction
This generation is particularly good at the traditional Buick virtues: a quiet cabin, plush seating, generous rear-seat room, and relaxed highway manners. Buick used acoustic glass, noise-control measures, and active noise cancellation, while the cabin provides roughly 38 inches of rear legroom and a 14-cubic-foot-class trunk. The oversized center console and unusual electronic shifter are less successful pieces of the interior design. Car and Driver
Technology and equipment
An 8-inch IntelliLink touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto anchors the infotainment system, and Premium versions could be equipped with navigation, Bose audio, a panoramic-style sunroof arrangement, and substantial driver-assistance technology. Contemporary reviewers praised the LaCrosse’s connectivity and easy-to-use infotainment while finding some interior materials less convincing than those in full-fledged luxury sedans. Car and Driver
Where it fits
The LaCrosse Premium AWD occupies an interesting middle ground: more refined and luxurious than a typical mainstream sedan, but deliberately less sporting and prestigious than contemporary German or Cadillac alternatives. That makes its defining quality effortless long-distance comfort rather than aggressive handling—a modern interpretation of the traditional big Buick sedan. Car and Driver
The 2018 lineup
The model year was significant because Buick introduced the fuel-saving 2.5-liter eAssist as the entry powertrain, upgraded V6 cars to the nine-speed automatic, expanded AWD availability, and introduced the even more lavish Avenir trim above Premium. Premium AWD consequently sits near the sweet spot of the range: most of the LaCrosse’s substantive luxury and performance without paying primarily for the Avenir’s additional trim and appearance details. Car and Driver
