North America }} The first generation LaCrosse debuted in late 2004 as a 2005 model, replacing the Century and Regal—solely as a four-door, front-drive sedan. The nameplate was borrowed from the 2000 Buick concept of the same name. Using the
MS2000 variant of GM's long-lived front-drive
W-body platform, the LaCrosse was initially available with two powerplants and three trim levels: a 3.8 L
3800 Series III V6 available in CX and mid-level CXL, and a 3.6 L
HFV6 V6 in the CXS model. The CXS was replaced by the
LaCrosse Super sub-model in North American markets, with the CXS available partly through model year 2008. Sales of the CXS continued in Canada until January 1, 2008. Structurally, the engine cradle, previously steel, was replaced by a stiffer, stronger, and lighter extruded aluminum cradle, weighing 20 pounds less. The LaCrosse used more high-strength steel than its predecessors, as well as a magnesium cross-car beam behind the instrument panel, another cross-car beam behind the rear seats, steel reinforcements in the rocker panels, interlocking door latch system, high-strength steel door beams, and a double-thick Quiet Steel floor pan and firewalls. CX and CXL models used the
4T65-E automatic transmission and Super models used the 4T65-E HD variant. The LaCrosse, along with all other GM vehicles powered by the 3.8 L V6, became the first
SULEV-compliant vehicles for 2006. All models were manufactured at
GM Oshawa Assembly. Front driver and passenger airbags were standard, with optional side curtain airbags — which became standard for model year 2006. All LaCrosse models featured an acoustic package, marketed by Buick as
QuietTuning, to reduce, block, and absorb cabin noise. Features of the system included acoustical windshield and front side laminated glass; steel laminate on the front-of-dash body area; expanded baffles in the roof pillars; melt-on sound deadeners throughout the entire lower body structure; and sound-absorbing material throughout the engine, passenger, and cargo compartments. Buick offered the LaCrosse as a five-passenger sedan, using front bucket seats and a console-mounted shifter, the console integrating with the upper instrument panel. At extra cost, a six-passenger configuration was available where the front seats shared a center flexible console that could fold up for a sixth passenger or fold out to provide a storage console, the transmission using a column-mounted shifter. Regarding its styling, noted automotive journalist Warren Brown described the Lacrosse as a "delightful rendition of the automobile as functional art." The final first-generation LaCrosse was manufactured on December 23, 2008. North American sales reached roughly 290,000 for model years 2005–2009, and the 2009 model was the last GM car using the company's noted and long-lived 3800 V6 engine.
2008 facelift The LaCrosse received a
facelift for 2008 with the vehicle's revised front design based on the
Buick Velite concept and later used by the first generation Chinese LaCrosse. All trim levels received a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel and climate control as added standard equipment (audio only post-MY 2006). CX included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft-deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization, and hydraulic struts supporting both the engine hood and trunk lid. For the 2009 model year, the last of the first generation, heated outside rearview mirrors became standard on all models; a 60/40 split folding rear seat added to Driver Confidence Package; navigation became available via OnStar; Bluetooth became available on all models with includes integrated steering wheel controls; 16-inch painted aluminum wheel were standard on CX models and 17-inch chrome-clad wheels became available on CX models.
LaCrosse Super (2008–2009) To coincide its introduction with the first generation's MY 2008 facelift, Buick previewed the
LaCrosse Super in March, 2006 in New York and again at the
Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan, in July 2006, presenting it formally at the 2007
New York International Auto Show—as a higher-content, higher-performance, and more exclusive LaCrosse sub-model. Resurrecting the
Super nameplate from Buick's
1930s–1950s model, the model featured minor interior and exterior tweaks as well as a 5.3-liter, 300-hp V8 engine shared with the
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP and
Chevrolet Impala SS, and
Monte Carlo SS—engineered under the direction of former
Corvette engineer
John Heinricy with the
GM Performance Division. Noting that the Super would share parts with Chevrolet and Pontiac variants, Heinricy said the LaCrosse aimed to balance performance and refinement for a smoother, quieter and more grown-up demeanor. capable of deactivating four of its eight cylinders to save fuel. It was noted for its factory top speed of and a 0–60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The Super used the heavier duty
4T65-E HD four-speed automatic transmission, magnetically sensitive variable-effort power steering (marketed as
Magnasteer), and a steering rack with closer-fitting gear teeth, tighter bushings, and a stiffer torsion rod controlling the variable-effort power assist. Chassis tuning featured
Bilstein mono-tube struts; larger rotors at all four disc brakes; full-range, powertrain- and brake-modulated
traction control; revised suspension tuning with standard
electronic stability control, marketed as
Stabilitrak; dual exhaust with two 3.5-inch chrome tips; and 18-inch cast aluminum wheels with P235/50R18 all-season tires.
Safety The LaCrosse received a
Good overall score in the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal impact crash test and a
Marginal overall rating in the side impact test. Injury measurements for the side-impact crash test include a
Poor mark for the driver's torso and a
Marginal score for the driver's pelvis and leg. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type for both front and rear rows; the torso-type side airbag is unavailable. 2007 models also earned one out of five stars in a
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration side-impact crash test. The IIHS also found that the 2006–08 model year LaCrosse had the second-highest fatality rate in the large four-door car class; only the
Buick Lucerne fared worse.
Models China Shanghai GM introduced the Buick LaCrosse () in February 2006, as a more upscale companion to its
Buick Regal sedan. Designed by Shanghai GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (
PATAC), the Chinese LaCrosse is based on the same architecture as the North American model, with different exterior sheetmetal, interior design and available engines. The car is also manufactured in Taiwan by a joint
Yulon–GM venture. File:Buick LaCrosse CN 01 China 2012-04-04.jpg|2006–2008 Buick LaCrosse front (China) File:Buick LaCrosse CN 02 China 2012-04-04.jpg|2006–2008 Buick LaCrosse rear (China)
Eco-Hybrid In 2008, Shanghai GM introduced a mild hybrid system on the LaCrosse. Using the
Belt Alternator Starter system, it is the first hybrid vehicle in the Chinese market as well as the first hybrid in its segment. File:Buick LaCrosse CN Hybrid 01 China 2015-04-16.jpg|2008 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid front (China) File:Buick LaCrosse CN Hybrid 02 China 2015-04-16.jpg|2008 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid rear (China) ==Second generation (2010)==