CHICAGO, IL - Buick wants to move upscale, shedding its fuddy-duddy image to appeal to buyers who want a powerful, quiet, elegant, expertly crafted, and luxurious car priced under $30,000. In fact, Buick spokespeople have openly discussed their intention to take on Lexus head-to-head in the future. Serving as the first volley on this front is the 2005 Buick LaCrosse, an upscale midsize sedan that replaces the Century and Regal. Whether or not they've put the ball over the net remains to be seen.

Upon first inspection, the 2005 Buick LaCrosse is clearly a better vehicle than the Century or the Regal. However, we wonder how serious Buick can be about achieving its ultimate goal of competing with Lexus when the standard LaCrosse is equipped with an old-tech engine configuration, a four- rather than five-speed automatic transmission, express-down functionality for only the driver's window and 16-inch steel wheels with composite wheelcovers. And get this: antilock brakes are standard only on the top trim level. On paper that sounds like a rental car special and nobody shopping a Lexus, let alone a Volkswagen Passat, wants a rental car special sitting in the driveway.

Perhaps Buick's statements about competing with Lexus were premature. The company lists the Ford Five Hundred, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry as key LaCrosse competitors. To that list we might add the Chrysler 300, Mazda 6, Mercury Montego, Mitsubishi Galant and the aforementioned VW Passat. Lexus is still a distant target, but the LaCrosse is certainly an appealing alternative to some of these mainstream sedans.Despite its new name, the 2005 Buick LaCrosse is not an all-new car. Rather, it is a substantially upgraded and stiffened version of the platform that has underpinned the Century and Regal since 1997. Buick says that the LaCrosse's four-wheel-independent suspension is 80 percent retuned - including stiffer springs, thicker stabilizer bars and longer rebound damper bumpers - for improved ride and handling qualities. The rack-and-pinion steering is revised for better response and on-center feel, and the four-wheel-disc braking system is completely new. Three levels of traction control are offered, with GM's StabiliTrak stability control system available on the top trim level. The 2005 Buick LaCrosse also receives QuietTuning, the name applied to increased sound-deadening efforts designed to make all Buicks very quiet inside.

Three models will go on sale in the fall of 2004. The base CX and upscale CXL are powered by GM's tried-and-true 3.8-liter overhead-valve V6 engine, driving the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Upgrades to the powertrain include the addition of electronic throttle control and refinements expected to result in quieter operation. Futhermore, it meets super-ultra-low emissions vehicle (SULEV) standards. Making 200 horsepower, the 3.8-liter V6 is predicted to return 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Under the hood of the sporty 2005 Buick LaCrosse CXS is an aluminum DOHC 3.6-liter V6 making 240 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque, 90 percent of which peaks between a useful 1,600 and 6,000 rpm. Cribbed from the Cadillac CTS and also employed in the Buick Rendezvous Ultra, this modern 3.6-liter V6 is equipped with variable valve timing and is expected to produce 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Dual exhausts provide a sportier engine note on the CXS.The Buick LaCrosse CX is equipped with cloth seats, dual-stage front airbags, OnStar telematics with a free one-year subscription, remote keyless entry, a power driver's seat, programmable power door locks, power windows, a stereo with a CD player and six speakers, and steel wheels with plastic wheelcovers.

The Buick LaCrosse CXL adds premium Nuance leather upholstery sewn in a gathered-stitch French-seam pattern, aluminum wheels, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

The sporty Buick LaCrosse CXS includes antilock brakes, full-range traction control, a firmer Gran Touring suspension with larger stabilizer bars, variable-effort MagnaSteer steering tuning and chromed exterior door handles.

Depending on which trim level is selected, options include a power sunroof, heated front seatbacks and cushions, steering wheel controls for the audio and climate systems, a six-disc in-dash CD changer with premium sound, XM satellite radio, side curtain airbags, rear parking assist, a power front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and a remote starting feature.

Inside, the 2005 Buick LaCrosse can accommodate up to six-passengers if the front bench seat is requested. With the bench seat, an "innovative flip and fold" center seatback cushion similar to the one that's been offered on the Mercury Sable since 1996 provides additional storage space when that seating position is not in use.

Cabin design is clean and organized, dominated by soft-touch surfaces, brushed aluminum details, chrome accents, fake burl wood trim and two-tone coloration. Buick has made efforts to greatly reduce tolerances between components for a higher quality appearance, and it shows. Space inside the Buick LaCrosse exceeds the outgoing Century and Regal thanks to a wheelbase increase, resulting in much-needed additional rear legroom. The trunk can carry up to 16 cubic feet of cargo, expanded through the use of the LaCrosse's split-folding rear seatback.

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