DRIVEN TO DRIVE

It was time to see what GM had to say on the subject

I went to the local GM dealership and picked up a Buick LaCrosse brochure.  As I flipped the pages, something jumped out at me – pages 4 was headed – “Compromise isn’t part of our Vocabulary”!  I hadn’t realized up until then but this statement is pretty accurate.  GM has not compromised one little bit.  Not only that, there are some interesting and some innovative features.

1. I like the Head Up Display (HUD). While it’s not new, it is a very useful feature.  There are several display formats depending upon a driver’s personal preference and these are updated as information changes – information such as changes in temperature to the name of new being played on a CD.
2. The blind zone alert.  I like the concept – just haven’t figured out how it works yet.
3. Park assist is really nice especially with rear view option.  Due to the high truck profile and the slanted rear window, there isn’t a lot of visibility available for when backing up.  Having park assist is a godsend and this comes in the form of audible beeps in conjunction with amber and red lights located just above the rear window.  It gets better, with the Navigational System Package, an optional extra on the CXL and CXS models, a rear mounted camera relays a live feed to the navigation screen the moment Reverse has been selected.  I have to admit it takes a little getting used to, I still want to use the mirrors and look through the rear window, and perhaps this is a good thing, but the fact remains – there are lots of options available to make backing up a safe experience.
4. There is a 3-prong 120v AC outlet located just below the ventilation ducts for the rear passengers. The first thing that crossed my mind was why 3-prong, what could the car be grounded on, then it occurred to me that some appliances come with three prongs – duh!
5. The Keyless entry and keyless start are nice, although after 4 days I’m still looking for a key as I approach the vehicle.  Walk up to it – open the doors.  Sit in the driver’s seat – start the motor.  It’s that simple and that easy, just as long at the key is in close proximity.
6. The vehicle has “Puddle Lights” so called because they illuminate the area near the door, so you can see the puddle.  Some vehicles have these un the underside of the door handle so you can see where you are stepping before you open the door.  Of course once the door is open, the light is shinning in the wrong spot.  The Buick LaCrosse has puddle light situated on the underside of the door that illuminate the stepping area while the door remains open.

Some good news – I discovered how to open the gas cap cover.  Push it in and it pops open.  With all the other technology, I was searching for a button to press.  I just wasn’t thinking of something so simple.

This review was written based purely upon personal experiences gained during a test drive of one vehicle over a period of one week. The vehicle was evaluated solely upon its merits and not by price nor in direct comparison to any other vehicle. Prospective buyers are encouraged to contact their local dealerships to arrange a test drive to evaluate the vehicle based upon their own needs and requirements.

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