Up Close: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

The Buick LaCrosse is catching up with the rest of the GM pack. To be blunt, GM vehicles fall into three basic categories, dictated — or at least indicated — by their interior quality, which in turn depends on the era in which the model was introduced or redesigned: before GM had a clue; after GM got a clue and was at least trying; and after that, when it finally began to succeed. (For successes, see the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Vue and Cadillac CTS.) The first-generation Buick LaCrosse, introduced in 2005, belonged to the middle group, with inoffensive, thank-you-for-playing interior styling and decent but uninspiring performance.

Because it’s a show car, the LaCrosse I checked out was a little rough around the edges, but the materials — though conventional in type — are reasonably well done, and the car shows what GM can do when it bothers.

Based loosely on the Chevy Malibu platform but with more of a European influence, the midsize LaCrosse is accommodating enough in front and has a notably roomy backseat. I figured this must come at the expense of trunk space, but it turned out not to be bad at all, and the backseats fold forward.

The LaCrosse is pretty bold-looking for a Buick, with a conspicuous “sweep spear” body side accent line, but the styling doesn’t go overboard. Likewise, the interior is more contemporary without being likely to turn off Buick’s core, older buyer. I’m glad to see they didn’t try to turn this into the next youth brand, but it’s hard — as a taxpayer — not to wonder if GM really needs a Malibu, and an Aura, and a LaCrosse, no matter how nice they are.