Comparison Test: Buick LaCrosse vs. Lexus ES350

omg GM bias, the Lexus is overrated, 0 to 60 times mean nothing....wait, what? the GM won?

But seriously, good win for the Buick. It seems like a nice vehicle that should fit well with the needs of many buyers. I'm not sold on the styling, but then again lets consider the competition here.

Someone should tell Michael Jordan that the "barely adequate" Aura isn't even on this platform. It and the Malibu are on the old platform which had totally different dimensions. Three years after the Aura came out they are still taking shots at it and pretending the Malibu is a totally different car. Malibu is the Aura with different styling and a slightly better interior. The chassis and performance are identical- they are built at the same factory. Even when posting a comparo that praises a GM product they are still offering harsh critique of other GM products.

the main reason the Buick won was that is better looking and far cheaper. It would have been irresponsible to declare the Lexus the winner. It would've been nice if the MKZ was included since its a direct competitor and is newer than the Lexus.

Still had to find a negative spin, huh?

"the main reason the Buick won was that is better looking and far cheaper."

Better looking? And by that you mean Feature Content, right? That's the category where the Buick scored 80 and the Lexus scored 26.7. Exterior design is counted in the 28-point evaluation (among 27 other parameters) which is worth 20% of the total. The point difference there was less than 4.

I still don't really get why Buick exists. To take on Lexus? Then what is Cadillac doing? Do BMW and Mercedes have separate brands to take on Lexus? The way I see it, the only segment that Lexus covers that the Germans do not is the FWD entry-level luxury car (where the LaCrosse lives). So, why does GM need a whole brand to take on one car from one company?

"Better looking? And by that you mean Feature Content, right? That's the category where the Buick scored 80 and the Lexus scored 26.7. Exterior design is counted in the 28-point evaluation (among 27 other parameters) which is worth 20% of the total. The point difference there was less than 4."

Read the first road test. They made their preference in styling clear. You are correct that the Buick delivers more for the money however. Can't argue with that.

Cadillac and Lexus are not going to attract the same types of buyers. That is common sense. Lexus is for people who want conservative luxury and value soft ride over anything else. To a large extent Lexus and BMW don't draw the same customers either. Its not hard to figure out why.

Lexus makes the ES, HS and RX and LX and GX which really don't appeal to German car fans. Where do you get off saying Buick is taking on ONE vehicle? You never heard of the RX- the best selling luxury crossover?

"Still had to find a negative spin, huh?"

Of course they did. Can't have TOO much positivity in a review of a Buick. IL is known for bringing up older models they didn't like when reviewing a new, competent model. What does the Aura have to do with this car? Nothing.

1487 could find fault with a review that simply reads:

"We like the LaCrosse."

What, no mention of its engine? What about the trunk? This review is an abomination!

"A difference, to be a difference, must make a difference."

Actually, I think you mean "A difference which makes no difference is no difference," uttered by Mr. Spock in 'Spock Must Die' (although he was quoting psychologist William James).

Good for GM. They deserve a win here. The interior of the LaCrosse is among the best in the industry, across any model. It's really, really nice. And this is coming from an Audi owner!

I find the ES to be a completely disgusting vehicle. So I'm not sure that this is necessarily a "win" for Buick. But I do think the LaCrosse is really nice looking and I'm glad the reviews seem very positive so far.

Toyotas get creamed... well thats fine by me! Especially one that gets the shit beaten out of it by a Buick! Go Lacrosse! I saw one at a dealer lot a few weeks ago... damn it was pretty!

"What, no mention of its engine? What about the trunk? This review is an abomination!"

Actually my comment was about the Second Opinion and it really had nothing to do with the Lacrosse. My point was the slap at other vehicles really was unnecessary and irrelevant. I said nothing about the contents of the comparison article. Do you do anything beyond try to score cool points by piggybacking on what I say? Just curious.

"I find the ES to be a completely disgusting vehicle."

The ES is one of the best selling luxury vehicles on the market. Beating it is very significant. Aside from the MKZ is doesn't even have many real competitors.

Michael Jordan was simply off. LaCrosse is built on Epsilon II, not Epsilon- that is a fact. Aura and Malibu are EXACTLY the same car underneath- that is a fact. Therefore, 1487 was valid in his criticism.

I think the results of this test make the Lacrosse worthy of consideration as a long term car.

Though you dismiss Lincoln, I still think given the size and feature content the MKS is perhaps the closest competitor to the LaCrosse. The Buick really is enormous. It would have been nice to see a three-way comparison here. Other than that, I thought it was a good review since it emphasized comfort and luxury over performance, which is the real criteria in this particular segment.

Yes, cool points. There's a scale. You're at least 76 points ahead. I'm hoping with Labor Day to turn the tide but my recent cold and workload make it difficult to maintain your breakneck pace of pithy comments.

I agree about the MKZ - it should have been in the review too.

xxxxoooxxxx

BDC:

My point is simple- come up with ideas that don't revolve around what I post. Create your own identity. At this point you only chime in to try and get laughs at my expense or to remind people how much you hate Bob Lutz. Come up with something new.

"Create your own identity."

Yeah blueguy. There are tons of things that you could do to set yourself apart. For instance, call out anti-American bias on every post, even on comparison tests where the American car wins! (That'll show 'em!) Or, post 6 manifestos in row that are full of subtle remarks like, "any idiot can see...," "if you could read...," etc. Finally, show a sad devotion to a company that will never love you back, much less know you exist.

"I think the results of this test make the Lacrosse worthy of consideration as a long term car."

Seconded. Looks like a winner for GM, and I'd be interested to see how it would do for a year.

"...or to remind people how much you hate Bob Lutz..."

Don't forget Jay Leno. BGDC loses sleep at night worrying we might not realize how much he doesn't like Lutz and Leno.

Two more points for 1487. ;)

Yes, every post should be a lengthy rant related to the injustice of free speech vis-a-vis the poor, misunderstood American auto manufacturer.

Relax, Francis, Edmunds didn't single-handedly ruin GM.

Good for Buick.

Now, make the car look good and people will buy it.

This is good. It really is. Sorry BGDC but I have to repost this.

"Relax, Francis, Edmunds didn't single-handedly ruin GM."

@1487: GM may soon offer inspired, dependable, stylish cars. Let them speak for themselves.

"For instance, call out anti-American bias on every post, even on comparison tests where the American car wins! "

You aren't too bright. Never claimed "anti American car bias" in the review. Such a notion doesn't even make sense. I said the Aura is NOT on the same platform as the Lacrosse and thus the insults hurled at the car were irrelevant and unnecessary. Try some critical reading before going on the offensive.

"Finally, show a sad devotion to a company that will never love you back, much less know you exist. "

I like good cars made by numerous manufacturers. Never said otherwise- but don't let that stop your conjecture. I will suggest you too come up with a POV that is more than just the opposite of what I say. You are great at attacks but you don't actually directly address any of the points I bring up. Why is that? You simply say "edmunds can't be biased because its impossible"- what kind of response is that? A weak one. Simply rebut what I have said in a logical and objective manner if you take issue with what I said. This is the same site who ran an review about the Tahoe Hybrid with the premise being "this truck costs $9500 more than the gas version" without even checking to see if their math was correct. Turns out the gap was $5500 or so which is about what Toyota charges for the Highlander hybrid vs the gas version. Just last week they ran a first drive on the CTS and claimed the CTS and SRX have less cargo space than the A6 Avant. Their own site shows the CTS has 1 cu ft less space and the SRX is actually larger than the A6. These are called facts, not opinions fabricated by someone with "blind devotion" to GM. Facts are not subject to debate.

"Don't forget Jay Leno. BGDC loses sleep at night worrying we might not realize how much he doesn't like Lutz and Leno."

Didn't know he hated Leno too- probably because Jay defends American cars and owns quite a few. The concept of a rich Califonrnian who likes and owns domestics probably burns him up.

"Yes, every post should be a lengthy rant related to the injustice of free speech vis-a-vis the poor, misunderstood American auto manufacturer. '

Not really. You are a slow learner so I will tell you once more that your opinions are worthless because you have repeatedly admitted that you hate American cars and would never buy one based on the badge alone. To me that is the viewpoint of an irrational person and I fail to understand why so many are rushing to your defense. Since you made it crystal clear that you are biased you are hardly a credible authority on whether or not edmunds is biased. I would say the fact thay you embrace their results and attack anyone who questions their objectivity says a lot since you are an avid american car hater.

sabastian:

I know you have it all figured out already but I would add one more thing. If you asked me which country makes the BEST cars overall without any regard to pricing I would say Germany. German cars are generally amongst the most stylish, best built more feature laden and best peforming cars in any particular class. Problem is PRICE is a key factor for most people.

LOL

1487, there is no such thing as objectivity in critique. Naive to think there is.

Well if you said it there should be no further debate. Glad you cleared that up. Good to know that a site that is providing information to help consumers make car buying decisions can't be expected to be objective. It was naive of me to expect vehicles to be critiqued on their merits alone or for a major auto site to edit and review material before posting it in order to maintain credibility.

blueguydotcom, send me a PM at roadburner@carspace.com