2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir Photos, engines & full specs

Buick dared for more and introduced the Avenir as an upscale version for the third generation of the LaCrosse in 2017 for the 2018 model year.

Ever since the introduction of the LaCrosse nameplate in Buick’s inventory in 2004, nine out of ten customers took the top two trim levels of the car, the CXL and the CXS. As a result, GM’s marketing department thought about introducing an even better-equipped version of the car, above what the CXS could provide. The new version of Buick’s mid-size sedan, named Avenir, arrived in 2017 for the 2018 model year. Unfortunately, the car was available just until 2019, when GM decided to pull the plug on the LaCrosse lineup after it decided to restructure its entire organization. The Avenir nameplate wasn’t new. Buick used it previously on the second generation of the Enclave that it launched in January 2017 at the New York International Auto Show.

The difference between the LaCrosse and its more luxurious sibling, Avenir, was striking. Instead of the waterfall grille, the new version featured a 3-D type mesh design that covered the broad upper grille of the car. Buick used the same pattern to adorn the lower side of the bumper and even added two chromed trims that underlined the halogen fog lamps. Surprisingly, the headlights were Xenon, even though the Enclave was available with LED headlamps.

From its profile, the car boasted the Buick-specific three VentiPorts on the front fenders, symbolizing the V6 under the hood. The car’s profile boasted a luxurious appearance thanks to its large 19-inch alloy wheels, with an option for 20-inch ones. Furthermore, the front doors boasted the Avenir badges so customers could brag about their upscale LaCrosse. Since the bodywork was basically the same as the one from its lesser-equipped brother, it shared some other details, such as the enlarged rear quarter panels that looked like shoulders over the rear wheels. Finally, at the back, the L-shaped LED taillights were extended onto the trunk lid.

Inside, the LaCrosse Avenir boasted a leather-wrapped cabin with a Chestnut color theme. Still, the steering wheel was the same as the one from the rest of the LaCrosse range. Fronting the driver was a three-dial instrument cluster with a small TFT display that showed data from the car’s onboard computer. On the center stack, integrated into the dashboard and placed between the center vents, Buick installed the infotainment’s system touchscreen. Customers were spoiled with bolstered front seats separated by the center console that housed the gear selector and a pair of cupholders concealed under a retractable lid. In the back, the bench seat was profiled for two.

Buick offered the Avenir with a 3.6-liter engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Power went to the front wheels, but a twin-clutch AWD system was also available.