“I love my LaCrosse. It's quiet comfortable and great styling. A really good value for the price!”
2018 Buick LaCrosse: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Buick LaCrosse is a meaningful lineup update rather than a redesign. Its biggest change is the 2.5-liter eAssist mild-hybrid four-cylinder becoming the standard engine on most trims.
About the 2018 Buick LaCrosse
3rd generation (2017-2019 US), second model year
Buick positions the LaCrosse as a quiet, roomy premium sedan for drivers who value comfort, design, and a calm highway ride more than sporty handling. The core appeal is its long-wheelbase cabin, low-noise interior, smooth ride, and easy-to-use tech such as smartphone integration. Compared with mainstream large sedans, Buick presents it as a step-up choice with more upscale materials and a more relaxed, luxury-leaning character.
The 2018 LaCrosse ranges from the straightforward 1SV, with an 8-inch touchscreen and smartphone integration, to the comfort-focused Essence and Premium trims with leather seating and added driver-assistance features. The new flagship Avenir has a V6, exclusive mesh grille, navigation, Bose audio, a panoramic moonroof, and massaging front seats.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Most trims switch from a standard V6 to a 2.5-liter eAssist mild-hybrid four-cylinder paired with a 6-speed automatic. V6 models receive a new 9-speed automatic, and AWD expands to the Essence trim.
Styling
The new Avenir flagship trim adds an exclusive mesh grille and unique exterior and interior trim details.
Tech
The new Avenir bundles an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bose 11-speaker audio, a panoramic moonroof, and a head-up display as standard equipment.
2018 Buick LaCrosse specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, eAssist, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, eAssist, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, eAssist, 2.5 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, eAssist, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | 21–25 mpg | 21–25 mpg | 21–25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | 30–35 mpg | 30–35 mpg | 30–35 mpg |
| Horsepower | 194 hp | 310 hp | 194–310 hp | 194–310 hp | 194–310 hp |
| Torque | 187 lb-ft | 268 lb-ft | 187–268 lb-ft | 187–268 lb-ft | 187–268 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.3 cu-ft | 15 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in | 38 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Massage Front Seat | |||||
| Memory Front Seats | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard engine in the 2018 Buick LaCrosse?
Most 2018 Buick LaCrosse trims use a 2.5-liter eAssist mild-hybrid four-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic as their standard powertrain. This replaces the standard V6 setup used across the 2017 lineup.
What changed on V6-powered 2018 Buick LaCrosse models?
V6-powered 2018 Buick LaCrosse models receive a new 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 remains the standard engine in the new Avenir and is also found in other V6-equipped versions.
Is the Avenir trim new for the 2018 Buick LaCrosse?
Yes, the Avenir is a new flagship trim for the 2018 Buick LaCrosse. It combines a V6 and 9-speed automatic with exclusive styling, navigation, Bose audio, a panoramic moonroof, and ventilated massaging front seats.
Does the 2018 Buick LaCrosse Essence have AWD?
Yes, AWD expands to the Essence trim for 2018. This gives the leather-equipped Essence a traction-focused option that was not offered on that trim for 2017.
How different is the 2018 Buick LaCrosse from the 2017 model?
The 2018 LaCrosse has meaningful lineup changes but is not a redesign. Most trims gain the standard eAssist powertrain, V6 versions move to a 9-speed automatic, AWD expands to Essence, and the Avenir flagship joins the range.
2018 Buick LaCrosse Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Buick LaCrosse.
4.1
2018 Buick LaCrosse
(78 reviews)
“This 2018 Buick LaCrosse, and the next year 2019 were the highest rated vehicles in their class/cohorts.”
“Choice of only black or beige interior sucks. Need some colors! Fuel tanks seem to have gotten smaller over the years, Can't even drive home to Boston any more without having to stop to refuel. There are no little storage compartments around the drivers seat and dash board like the 2014 model had.”