Buick LaCrosse (GMX353). 2010–16 (prod. over 210,000). 4-door sedan. F/F, 2384 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 2994, 3564 cm³ (V6 DOHC). LaCrosse unified as a single model again, with American and Chinese designers working together on styling, and GM Europe on engineering. Rear seat accommodation a plus, thanks to Chinese market where LaCrosses would be chauffeur-driven. Moved to platform shared with Opel Insignia A, consequently better handling than Buicks of old, though steering vague. Styling has silhouette not unlike that of Insignia, which sells as a sister Buick in China; ‘sweep-spear’ feature on side sees waistline dip and rise suddenly forward of the rear door handle. Portholes on hood. The 1973 Riviera cited as one inspiration; Invicta show car clearly the other. Nothing that novel under the svelte skin, but tipped to be a staple seller for Buick on both sides of the Pacific. Badge-engineered version in Korea called Daewoo Alpheon (2·4 and 3·0 only), before being renamed simply Alpheon after Daewoo marque was killed off in 2011. Alpheon deleted in 2015, replaced by the Chevrolet Impala.

Manufacturing locations: Shanghai, China; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Bupyeong, Gyeonggi, Korea

Marque: Buick | Model: Buick LaCrosse | Predecessors: Buick Allure; Buick LaCrosse (2006–9) | Successors: Buick LaCrosse (2017–23), Chevrolet Impala (2014–20)

q.v. Roewe 950

Off-site link

• Lucire: video of 2010 Buick LaCrosse