2012 Buick Lacrosse eAssist Hybrid: Video Road Test and Review

The Buick LaCrosse eAssist Hybrid is a four door five passenger full size sedan that uses a mild hybrid system to significantly reduce emissions and improve fuel economy by up to 25% with innovations like automatic start/stop technology thanks to an oversized generator in place of an alternator, electricity producing regenerative braking and a high capacity lithium ion battery pack to store the extra electrons.

The Base Buick LaCrosse with eAssist starts at $29,960 and is powered by a 2.4 Liter four cylinder that produces a maximum output of 182 HP and 172 lb-ft of torque being channeled through a six speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox that is good for an estimated 25 MPG in the city and as much as 36 MPG on the highway.  While premium touches like ice blue ambient lighting and French seam stitching as well as Bluetooth hands free connectivity as well as OnStar, even the Base LaCrosse comes pretty well equipped.

When upgraded with the Convenience Equipment Group, Buick offers the LaCrosse with an optional E85 compatible 3.6 Liter V6 that produces a total of 303 HP and 264 lb-ft of torque and returns an estimated 17 MPG around town and as much as 27 MPG at speed.  The more convenient, $30,430 LaCrosse gets remote start, power adjustable driver lumbar support and a universal home remote.

The LaCrosse with Leather Equipment Group is available in both front and all wheel drive iterations, the latter with six cylinder, and gets a refined luxury interior with rich leather wrapped heated seats and LED turn signals integrated into the side mirrors for $31,895.

The $32,440 Buick LaCrosse with Premium I Equipment Group gets memory settings for the leather buckets as well as rear park assist standard.  The Premium II Equipment Group gets the 3.6 Liter E85 motor standard as well as a heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade and keyless entry with push button start for $33,865.  The Premium III Equipment Group gets a swanky Harman/Kardon premium sound system, the high tech HiPer strut real time adaptive suspension that adjusts to suit road conditions up to 500 times per second as well as a set of flashy 18 inch chrome rollers starting at $35,285.

The top of the line Buick LaCrosse with Touring Equipment Group gets a heads up display, articulating high intensity discharge headlamps as well as the available sport mode and rides on a set of 19 inch alloys starting at $38,270.

A lsit of cars similar to the LaCrosse include the Lexus ES350, Ford Taurus and Hyundai Azera.

See more deatails about the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist Hybrid.