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2010 Buick LaCrosse Continues To Impress, Best Lexus ES / Infiniti G37 In IIHS Results

inspirion7 submitted on 9/24/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:32:24 PM

36 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.motorauthority.com

Ever since our first drive of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, we've been impressed with the car's quality and value, and today's award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) of a Top Safety Pick to the car therefore comes as no surprise.

Buick has built a very solid mid-luxury sedan this time around, and the tests are beginning to show it.

To get a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, a car must score top marks of "good" in front, side and rear impact tests and feature standard electronic stability control. The 2010 LaCrosse aced the list, beating the 2009 Lexus ES 350 which rated "good" in frontal and side impact tests, but only "marginal" in rear-impact testing. The 2010 Lexus ES 350 hasn't been rated yet.

The 2009 Infiniti G37 rated exactly the same as the Lexus. Volvo's S60 earned "good" ratings in front and rear impact, but only scored "acceptable" in side impact.

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2010 Buick LaCrosse Continues To Impress, Best Lexus ES / Infiniti G37 In IIHS Results

About the Author

"Show me the money" - Cuba Gooding Jr. The bigger the Government, the smaller the man.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

User Comments

But look how stupid the car looks? When Toyota redesigns the ES350 I'm guessing with as much criticism they've been receiving for styling and due to consumers being a bit more picky, it will be a winner. We'll see, but this is hedious in its real life photos - so to speak
— Mason3Robert (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 5:02:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The 2010 ES 350 update styling is the fog lights, rear lens and wood trim inside. That's it. So much for looking better. you couldn't tell the 2009 from the 2010 if you didn't have a photo. The ES isn't a bad looking car, it's rich in execution. The down side is, it looks too much like its brother the Camry.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 6:46:39 PM | | Votes: 5

I disagree. This new Lacrosse really looks impressive. It looks like it will have a truly recognizable appearance on the streets. I saw the Buick commercial during Greys Anatomy last night where they directly compared the Lacrosse to the ES and it is a formidable rival.
— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 11:03:35 AM | | Votes: 1

Inspiron, he said "redesign"...which isn't the same as a refresh or update btw.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 1:27:40 PM | | Votes: 2

That being the case, a redesign is at least 2 years away, so by then Buick would have its refreshed model and it would have set its sales pattern by then. I would think Lexus should place the redesign on a fast track. Truly this is the first time Lexus has had a competitor to potentially out perform it's bread and butter car. Lexus should have an all out assault plan in the works against Buick. Buick isn't shy about trying to grab marketshare away from Lexus.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2009 11:19:12 PM | | Votes: 1

Duh....a redesigned ES will occur for the 2012 model year. As with almost every carmaker, products are on a 5-year cycle. The current one was introduced for 2007 therefore the current platform/body style will run until 2011 model year.

The fact that the 2010 ES350 is merely a facelift is nothing new. All carmakers do minor nip/tucks about 3-4 years into the product's lifecycle.

That being said, the Buick LaCrosse looks really impressive in pictures inside and out. And so far the reviews have been excellent also. Good luck to GM.
— skinny (View Profile)

Posted on 9/27/2009 6:33:54 PM | | Votes: 1

skinny the course in design 101 wasn't needed. The point was Lexus has more to loose and Buick to gain if the cycle runs it course. Toyota is very pro-active with things like this, and I would think Buick's challenge straight on would put their sales dominance at risk.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/28/2009 6:30:39 PM | | Votes: 1

most car makers are a 5 year cycle...but lexus often stretches timing past the breaking point with 6 and 7 year cycles. witness the nearly decade old SC.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/29/2009 12:24:53 PM | | Votes: 1

I like the plush interior. It's a good look for Buick.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 5:22:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

I assure you that this car will be a failure just like all of its predecessors. You need to know one fact which is, you'll only get garbage from a trash can, so don't expect anything worthy to come out of the garbage 3.
— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 5:27:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

sure just like the CTS, Camero, c6, G8, Enclave, Traverse, Malibu, are all failures. LOL!
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 5:41:35 PM | | Votes: 2

Actually, the car has received excellent reviews across the board by the same groups that has registered Toyota, Mazda, Mercedes and the like to be solid vehicles. Technology missing in the past has leap frog the competition so has quality. I trust their overall opinion so let the market decide what car will sell to the masses. Remember, junk don't sell WELL with such a well informed public like in the past.

March 2009 — Buick and Jaguar each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th place. Following in the top five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury.

Liars don't figure and figures don't lie.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 6:16:50 PM | | Votes: 0

"Liars don't figure and figures don't lie."

It's a proven fact that 80% of statistics are made up to prove a point.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:24:12 PM | | Votes: -1

"Buick and Jaguar each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today"
This is based on new vehicle introductions since 2006, and of course you realize that Jaguar and Buick had maybe 3 new vehicles total, compared to Lexus which had introduced an all new LS, ES, IS, GS, LX and their hybrid variants.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:54:20 PM | | Votes: -2

The front is weird and ugly.
— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 6:20:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Nice ES clone.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 6:43:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

well this car actually is stylish so I think your wrong there, the es looks like a sweet potato. I happened to see this Buick in person very good looking car, has anyone sat in it to see if the interior quality is truely entry luxury competitive?
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 6:58:45 PM | | Votes: 3

Nice ES clone.— truthpursuit

Actually it has more in common when it comes to style, sizes and overall appearance with the GS.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:03:15 PM | | Votes: 2

I want to inform the young whelps here that think Toyota invented the automobile.

Buick had real nice cars back in the 30's, 40's, and 50's and you can see many of the design cues from those cars. I can assure you Buick did not look at Lexus for design styling ideas.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:26:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

EL34.. You stand corrected.. They acutally have Mazda rather than Lexus to thank for the design cues.
— Lemonade (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:43:13 PM | | Votes: -2

ahem...take a look at the exhaust tips ala Lexus LS!
— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 5:15:19 PM | | Votes: 4

That is good for Buick, but not sure what this has to do with the G37. At the end of the day I would take the G37 as it looks better and has amazing performance. The Lacrosse will be good competition for the Maxima though.
— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 7:57:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

It was compared to the La Crosse in the IIHS, it has a better crash result.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 8:16:07 PM | | Votes: 2

Solid win for GM. Chalk up another one for Bob Lutz.
— sdcarguy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 8:20:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Pity it uses simulated wood in the interior. I think it's more visually appealing than the Lexus ES.
— LuxuryFan (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 9:20:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

i saw this car in person yesterday in brooklyn.. i was quite impressed.
great road presence, really a beautiful car. it reminded me of an es350, but this looks better.
excellent job buick.
— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 10:45:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The 2010 ES is getting many improvements.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2009 1:54:49 PM | | Votes: 1

I like the pictures, but when I saw it live, the sides seem too tall and blocky. Front end looks nice.

Buick used to be considered a doctor's car. GM should give Buick a better warranty.

I still think Caddi should be the sole luxury brand for GM.
— g2ok (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2009 11:28:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

What is 4yrs/50,000 miles bumper to bumper not enough, let alone the 5yr/100,000 mile powertrain.
— bigTYME (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 12:09:52 AM | | Votes: 2

I think GM was trying to do Saturn as Entry Level Luxury, Buick Mid Level Luxury, Cadillac Top of the Line Luxury.

Now they got rid of Saturn, GM has to get some smaller Buicks on the road to grab those entry Level Luxury Buyers.

We at Hyundai have become a predatory Lion, and we are licking our Chops. We see a weak Buick as a Succulent Elephant Calf. Yummy!!! :D
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 1:15:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

HyundaiSmoke news flash, not everyone likes your brand. Buick, Lincoln and Chrysler are products that are in line or the same client base, Hyundai with its Genesis is possibly a target car, but everyone is a moving target now friend, Buick and Cadillac have an agenda not to be standing still. From the looks of it, the La Crosse is in solid running to really compete directly with the ES model.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 8:03:35 AM | | Votes: 1

when the vehicle really hinder's the ES350's sales...then we'll see how well of a car this Buick is.

Sure it may look good, but if it's anything like it's predecessor's build quality and reliability...it's just another clunker!
— r15mohd (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 8:36:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

The freaking thing looks like a Lexus LS and BMW 5 Series from the rear end. Come out with a orginal design for the love of god! I have to admit the interior is great.
— ed300zx (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 11:21:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

i think the 2010 ES adds adaptive head rests for rear crashes.
— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2009 2:24:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

You got a point Inspiron.
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2009 12:58:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

that's an impressive car for GM. not an enthusiast's car by any stretch of the imagination, but it clearly does well against the lexus ES, one of the favorite cars of 60-somethings americans.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/29/2009 12:23:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

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2010 Buick LaCrosse Continues To Impress, Best Lexus ES / Infiniti G37 In IIHS Results

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