New 2007 Buick LaCrosse Exterior Review [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Buick LaCrosse Exterior Review
Exterior - 6.7 (Mediocre)
Consensus among reviewers is that the exterior styling of the LaCrosse is safe, simple and straightforward. Agreement ends there, however. Forbes finds the simplicity results in "an elegant look," and points out, "The LaCrosse isn't exactly bold -- but then neither are its prime competitors." Other reviewers agree with the Los Angeles Times, which says the LaCrosse "is a nice car trapped in some astonishingly boring sheet metal," and argues, "If dullness were thunder, the LaCrosse would send dogs running for cover under porches. If mediocrity were snow, Detroit's Wayne County airport would have to be shut down. How big a committee styled this thing?"
"The '07 LaCrosse is unmistakably a Buick, with its trademark vertical-bar waterfall grille, long nose, long slopes and simple body curves," explains New Car Test Drive. "A tiny third side window behind the C-pillar adds some visual interest, while at the rear, a discernible dent in the decklid ties the taillamps together." The Chicago Tribune echoes the response of most reviewers, writing, "LaCrosse styling isn't going to force many jaws to drop." As The Family Car puts it, "Nobody will say it's bad looking, but the word gorgeous won't come up, either. It doesn't offend, certainly, but it doesn't excite."
A number of reviewers notice stylistic parallels between the LaCrosse and other cars. 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility asserts, "Outside, the Buick LaCrosse features clean, if derivative, styling." Kelley Blue Book reports, "With a rear end bearing a striking resemblance to the former Ford Taurus and a front fascia appearing more Lexus than Buick, it's difficult to pinpoint the LaCrosse's intended audience." Car and Driver says, "Take off those bifocals, gaze upon the C-pillars and taillights, and you'll probably mistake the LaCrosse for a Ford Taurus. Move your eyes to the front end, and you'll see some Concorde."
Exterior Trims
From the outside the three trim levels are mostly indistinguishable. New Car Test Drive points out the few differences: "CX models can be identified by a grained, graphite-color finish on the rocker panels underneath the doors, while this panel is body color on CXL and CXS. Otherwise, the base CX has almost no decoration at all, beyond the bolt-on faux alloy covers for its 16-inch steel wheels."
