The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

Trying to get someone under the age of 60 to consider buying a Buick is like trying to get Bill O’Reilly to attend charm school.

But Buick is trying to change its image and is spending about $3 billion on a remake.

First came the Rendezvous in 2002, Buick’s first crossover SUV, followed by Buick’s first true SUV, the Rainier in 2004. Now comes the hard part, replacing Buick’s aging sedan line-up. The opening salvo is to replace the Century and Regal sedans, two darlings of the rental fleets that are long overdue for a makeover.

Their replacement, the LaCrosse, gives strong indication of Buick’s new design direction. It is the first GM car to fully bear the imprint of product czar and industry veteran Bob Lutz, who, as head of GM’s product development, delayed the release of the car to have it reworked.

Despite a much more modern style, the LaCrosse’s new duds play on familiar Buick themes, with the exception of the rear which strongly resembles a Ford Taurus.

But it’s not the styling you should be checking. As you walk around the vehicle, look at the gaps between the body panels. They are uniform and tight, a sign of careful manufacturing and among the best ever seen on a Buick.

However, outward appearances don’t always tell how much better a vehicle is from others sitting in the showroom.

Climb inside.

Here the change in design is much more noticeable, with a new take on Buick’s traditional horizontal dashboard. The wood trim and chrome accents enrich the instrument panel, while careful assembly quality is evident from the tight feel of the switchgear to the quality of materials and plastics employed throughout the cabin. Even the mouse-fur headliner has been replaced with a tightly-woven fabric employed by European automakers.

The LaCrosse comes in three trim levels: base CX, mid-range CXL and top-of the-line CXS.

CX and CXL models come with GM’s long-lived 3.8-liter overhead-valve V-6 which is rated at 200 horsepower. The CXS gets an all-new 3.6-liter dual overhead-cam V-6 rated at 240 horsepower. The new aluminum engine features four valves per cylinder and variable-valve timing for increased power and fuel efficiency, although it loses 1 mpg in the fuel efficiency contest against the older mill, yielding 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Both motors are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Buick lent the CXS for testing. While the 200-horsepower base motor isn’t bad, the 3.6-liter is one nice engine, smooth, quiet and world-class. Power is quite good for the cut and thrust of daily driving. Buick should offer just the 3.6-liter.

Buicks have always had good power, even if it wasn’t as smooth and sweet as it is now.

But nothing will quite prepare you for the change in driving experience.

Buick really went to work here, banishing a lot of the sloppy handling and soft ride that has characterized Buicks for decades. Buick stiffened the suspension for all models, with the CXS getting an even-stiffer Gran Touring suspension. The suspension does a far superior job of absorbing bumps without transmitting shock, while the car’s body no longer does an imitation of a bobble head when traversing bumps.

Steering is much more precise.

The four-wheel disc brakes are actually firm and progressive. Cornering can be done with confidence; you don’t even have to slow down. Most importantly, Buick includes GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system as standard equipment on the CXS.

Yet the LaCrosse hasn’t totally lost sight of what makes a Buick a Buick. That’s an incredible feeling of comfort and quiet.

Although a front bench seat is available, don’t even consider it. The bucket seats are really worth opting for, being firm and supportive, if a bit flat. They are very wide and can accommodate larger people. Legroom is quite good up front, but only average in the rear. As in the Pontiac Grand Prix, the rear seat is firm and low. Egress is marred by tight rear lower door openings.

The trunk space is excellent, with a cargo net and various anchor points to aid in cargo-carrying flexibility.

And the LaCrosse is quiet. It has to be among the quietest cars of any price I have driven. It makes the optional XM satellite radio easier to hear.

Standard gear includes keyless entry, power driver’s seat, automatic programmable door locks, power windows with driver’s express down, dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, fog lamps, dual exhaust, AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio system, leather trim (on CXL and CXS), front airbags and a one-year subscription to OnStar.

Options include a power sunroof, heated seats, head-curtain side-impact airbags, ultrasonic rear-parking assist, remote starting system, steering-wheel-mounted audio and climate controls, six-CD changer, MP3 player and XM satellite radio.

If you are considering a test drive of a LaCrosse, the CXS is the one to try. It delivers the polish, luxury and sophistication that used to be Buick’s hallmarks.

Welcome back to the modern world, Buick.

lprintz@mcall.com