2010 Buick LaCrosse CX 4-cylinder test drive

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Buick originally introduced the 2010 LaCrosse with a pair of V6 engines; as a mid-year change they've added a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder as the standard engine in the base-level LaCrosse CX, with the smaller 3-liter V6 scheduled to be phased out in 2011. The luxurious LaCrosse is slated to take over from the Lucerne as the Buick brand's flagship, and offering a 4-cylinder engine is a risky move -- can the LaCrosse survive the transition to 4-cylinder power with its personality intact? Read on.

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The early 1970s was a low point in automotive history. Two oil embargos and new emissions standards meant that American cars plunged from 300 horsepower or more down to 150 horsepower or less, seemingly overnight -- something I've always suspected as the primary reason my parents' generation did so many drugs.

Now that my generation is going through the same thing, I'm seeing that it's not so bad. Case in point: The Buick LaCrosse, which is now available with a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine. Acceleration from the 182 horsepower 4-banger is more than adequate; it won't cause an adrenaline rush, but neither will it cause ulcers when merging onto the freeway. Since a quiet ride is Buick's stock-in-trade, the engine has been given the hush treatment, with particular attention paid to the direct fuel injection system's noisy high-pressure pump. (Read more: What is direct fuel injection?) The results are commendable: The engine is all but silent when idling and cruising and makes a mature, muted thrum under hard acceleration -- a nice change from the annoying buzz emitted by many four-cylinder cars. Most impressively, the LaCrosse hasn't lost its big-car feel -- many cars feel tinnier and less solid in 4-cylinder form than they do with a V6, but the 4-cylinder LaCrosse feels heavy and substantial, with a soft, comfortable ride backed up by surprisingly competent handling.

There's one issue Buick hasn't quite solved: Vibration. Four-cylinder engines are difficult to balance, and 4-cylinder LaCrosse passes some faint shaking back into the cabin under certain conditions. It's certainly not obtrusive, but it's a sharp contrast to the smooth-as-glass power delivery of the optional 3.6 liter V6. Buick says their engineers are still finalizing the powertrain's software calibration, and reminded me that it's impossible to eliminate all the vibration from a 4-cylinder car. (I was tempted to ask if they'd driven the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but I decided kept my mouth shut.)

I was particularly impressed by my CX test car's interior. Despite having cloth seats and few options, it felt like a proper luxury car, with tasteful wood trim and high-quality materials -- in fact, Buick could teach several other automakers a thing or two about choosing fabrics, plastics and switchgear. That said, I do wish the stereo and climate controls didn't have quite so many buttons, or that they at least had bigger, clearer labels.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the four-cylinder LaCrosse are a reasonable 19 MPG city/30 MPG highway -- but the 3.6 liter V6 isn't far behind at 17/27. Buick's done a very nice job adapting the LaCrosse to 4-cylinder power, but with the fuel consumption penalty so low, I'd still opt for the smoother, faster V6.-- Aaron Gold

This test drive took place at a manufacturer-sponsored press event. Transportation, accommodations, meals, vehicles and fuel were provided by General Motors.