My CXS vs CXL driving review.

[agilson]

While my wife’s 2010 LaCrosse CXS has been in the shop trying to fix a clunking noise in the rear end, we’ve been driving a rental 2010 LaCrosse CXL. Last night I was able to take the CXL for a 2 hour drive to the next city and back, and was able to compare the two cars. Now I haven’t driven the CXS in a few weeks, so I’m going from seat of the pants feel on some of this. This is NOT a back-to-back comparison. I’d be curious to drive the CXS with the CXL fresh in my mind and see if I still feel the same way.

Overall, here are my impressions:

• CXL seems to have lighter steering then the CXS.
• CXL seems to run lower RPM at highway speed and in the city.
• Definitely miss the heads up display in our CXS. The main reason, and I know it’s just a toy, is that I’d set the bottom screen on the CXS to “Fuel Range” and the heads up display to speed. Then I can see both Fuel Range and speed with an easy glance. In the CXL I had to switch from one to other. I know, I know there’s a big dial on the left that will tell me the speed I’m going, but that’s a good 2” out of my site line. (<insert eye roll here>).
• Both cars are equally and amazingly quiet
• CXL seems to be a tad bit quicker with a nicer exhaust note. I’d really like to test that again though with the CXS fresh in my mind.
• I miss the backup camera on our CXS.
  • That said, I’m not impressed with the backup camera optic quality. My 2008 Suburban has a far better back up system in it.
• I miss the keyless entry on the CXS.
• I miss the blind zone safety alert on the CXS. I didn’t realize how much I used it as a “second opinion” after a head check, until it was gone.
• BIG ONE: miss the auto-dimming driver and passenger mirrors at night. I had an ambulance rolling behind me (flashing lights NOT flashing) and I couldn’t believe the glare coming from the outside mirrors.
• The HID lights are definitely superior to the halogens
• And lastly, my pet peeve about both cars: wearing a hooded jacket with a hooded sweatshirt underneath drives me crazy. I appreciate how close the head rests are to my head in the summer, but in the winter it’s awkward and uncomfortable.

 

[Greg B.]

• CXL seems to be a tad bit quicker with a nicer exhaust note. I’d really like to test that again though with the CXS fresh in my mind.

That's really interesting, since the 2010 CXL would have the much-maligned 3.0 V-6, while the CXS has the 3.6. I would not have thought there would be any chance the CXL would be quicker. Wonder if it's a gearing or weight difference?

 

[shoman90]

That's really interesting, since the 2010 CXL would have the much-maligned 3.0 V-6, while the CXS has the 3.6. I would not have thought there would be any chance the CXL would be quicker. Wonder if it's a gearing or weight difference?

I don't believe you will find any car mag testing numbers ....where the old time 3.0L comes close to the 3.6VVT engine. I'm not sure why the exhaust note would be better either....but if that is his thought....then exhaust sound can most definitely influence SOTP feel.

I don't think the tranny gearing or final front drive ratio is any different, but can't swear to it. If the RPMs were lower in the city and highway on the CXL.......that would be all the more reason the bigger 6 would be faster.

....I can't figure out why you need a hooded jacket AND a hooded sweatshirt in a car that is room temperature 😉

 

[jimbo56]

• Both cars are equally and amazingly quiet

Do you have the Touring Package on your CXS? I was under the impression that the 19" low profile tires produced more road noise than on the standard 18-inchers.

 

[Godzson]

I agree, i dont know why the exhaust note would sound better in the 3.0. But i kinda know what you mean by feeling quicker. I had a 3.9L Chevy impala before the Lacrosse and whenever i would rent a 3.5 impala, it always seemed to feel quicker than the 3.9. Maybe not so much on the top end of course, but getting around the city felt a little bit easier. So i can understand your perspective. Thanks for the review. Ive been curious about how the CXL felt in comparison. I was only positive that the ride was softer in the CXL.

 

[agilson]

Do you have the Touring Package on your CXS? I was under the impression that the 19" low profile tires produced more road noise than on the standard 18-inchers.

We do have the 19's, and they probably are louder -- but I haven't heard them since November'ish when I put the snows on. Can't remember what they sound like any more. The snows aren't overly loud, but they do make some noise, that's for sure.

 

[revans03]

Thank you for the comparison:

Our 10' CXL AWD has the Xenon lights, HUD, back up camera and auto dimming mirrors. To many CXS owners on this forum feel way to superior and smug when it comes to comparing the 3.0 to the 3.6. I realize the 3.0 is a one year motor, similiar to the LS1 in my 04 GTO, those who waited got more power. We chose the AWD, although the 3.6 was available in the Caddie line with AWD "everbody" said it wasn't going to happen for Buick. I think there are a lot of positives in both engines and trim levels. I also appreciate the comment about the exhaust note, but I think it is highly unlikely 25 ponies in a car that weighs in at over 4,200 lbs is going to make much difference in the quarter mile🙂
Having said that, I'm glad I don't have the 2.4 trying to push this beast. That little 4 banger has a hard time getting our 07' Solstice moving. Got to love CAFE.

Rob

 

[shoman90]

Thank you for the comparison:

Our 10' CXL AWD has the Xenon lights, HUD, back up camera and auto dimming mirrors. To many CXS owners on this forum feel way to superior and smug when it comes to comparing the 3.0 to the 3.6. I realize the 3.0 is a one year motor, similiar to the LS1 in my 04 GTO, those who waited got more power. We chose the AWD, although the 3.6 was available in the Caddie line with AWD "everbody" said it wasn't going to happen for Buick. I think there are a lot of positives in both engines and trim levels. I also appreciate the comment about the exhaust note, but I think it is highly unlikely 25 ponies in a car that weighs in at over 4,200 lbs is going to make much difference in the quarter mile🙂
Having said that, I'm glad I don't have the 2.4 trying to push this beast. That little 4 banger has a hard time getting our 07' Solstice moving. Got to love CAFE.

Rob

Nothing smug here. The numbers between the two engines are substantial.
3.0.....0-60 8.4/16.4 1/4....give or take a little
3.6VVT....0-60 range from 6.4 to 7.5 and 15.1 to 15.6 1/4

I'm not a drag racer, but in the speed world that's a huge difference! It is also the reason we chose to not go with the AWD in the 2010. Where we live AWD is worth having. I figured with a good set of winter tires and SC/TC... it would work reasonably well.... It does.

The family driver's I've had since 1990 are a bit faster than even the 3.6 in the CXS. I wish they would have put the Caddy 304HP version in it. It is a heavy car, but comparable European and Japanese models surpassed these kind of numbers long ago. The 3.7 six cylinder in the Infiniti G37 is 330HP and blows this CXS engine away.

I realize I may be in the minority for Buick guys who think this way, although I easily fit the age demographic at 59, but the toys I run go to 150 in about 17 seconds.....and they are daily drivers in the summer.....one with almost 100,000 miles on it.......thus I like a little sporty in our traveling sedan as well 😉

That's also the reason I wanted the touring package suspension regardless of the ride/handling firming up....that's a good thing in our world. This package is not optional on the CXL or the new AWD 3.6 CXL. No cool duals either on the new AWD.🙁

 

[revans03]

I'm not bashing the 3.6 its a good motor, but again we chose the AWD route which put us with the 3.0. It's not a bad motor, at 255 hp you put your foot into it and adjust the pressure when the 6 speed shifts and I can make this brick move. Every auto is full of compromise of something. The Lacrosse is for the family to ride in style, the GTO is for hauling and the Solstice is for the twisties, the Grand Prix is for smacking down the ricer, everything else is overkill🙂 We have a car for whatever the mood. The wife on the other hand is looking hard at the LS3 powered Comaro convertible, figure she can replace (2) with (1). I however am not ready to give up my Pontiac's, especially if a vette coup with removable top is not an option. We have our toys too, the Lacrosse isn't one of them. The GTO has a set of dedicated Dunlop M3 wintersport tires and I think it handles extremely well, however by the number of totaled GTO' s every winter it makes me wonder whats wrong with all the other owners. AWD here is not a requirement, but it sure is a nice thing to have. Thought I would also mention I'm 39 and the wife is 37, we are not typical buick demographics. We owned (4) Oldsmobiles between 1993 and 2001, after the death of Olds we shifted to Pontiac's and picked up (3) of them between 04 and its demise last year. However after our 01' Silhouette was destroyed in a motor vehicle accident we ended up with an 06 Terraza. The Lacrosse replaced the Terraza, what comes next is anyone's guess.

 

[jimbo56]

Living in Buffalo, I wanted AWD, but I bought the CXS because I wanted the bigger engine and I liked the looks of the dual exhaust tips. My salesman told me that with Stabilitrac and traction control, the CXS would be okay in snow, even with the Touring Package and low-profile tires. I have to say that he was right. The CXS goes through snow quite well, and I didn't even purchase snow tires. I'm sure there will come a time when I wished I had the AWD, but for now I'm quite satisfied with my decision.

 

[shoman90]

I'm not bashing the 3.6 its a good motor, but again we chose the AWD route which put us with the 3.0. It's not a bad motor, at 255 hp you put your foot into it and adjust the pressure when the 6 speed shifts and I can make this brick move. Every auto is full of compromise of something. The Lacrosse is for the family to ride in style, the GTO is for hauling and the Solstice is for the twisties, the Grand Prix is for smacking down the ricer, everything else is overkill🙂 We have a car for whatever the mood. The wife on the other hand is looking hard at the LS3 powered Comaro convertible, figure she can replace (2) with (1). I however am not ready to give up my Pontiac's, especially if a vette coup with removable top is not an option. We have our toys too, the Lacrosse isn't one of them. The GTO has a set of dedicated Dunlop M3 wintersport tires and I think it handles extremely well, however by the number of totaled GTO' s every winter it makes me wonder whats wrong with all the other owners. AWD here is not a requirement, but it sure is a nice thing to have. Thought I would also mention I'm 39 and the wife is 37, we are not typical buick demographics. We owned (4) Oldsmobiles between 1993 and 2001, after the death of Olds we shifted to Pontiac's and picked up (3) of them between 04 and its demise last year. However after our 01' Silhouette was destroyed in a motor vehicle accident we ended up with an 06 Terraza. The Lacrosse replaced the Terraza, what comes next is anyone's guess.

Like you about the 3.6L....I didn't say the 3.0 was a bad motor....just pointed out the large performance difference between them. The 3.0 may be very reliable, but the numbers are pretty dated by today's standards. Heck; Ford puts the 3.5L TT Eco Boost at 365HP in family haulers....and it hauls!! They will get much use out of that engine platform.

We too have a ride for whatever mood strikes us......it's just that we take care of 'hauling, the twisities, and BIG smackdowns' all in one package...plus use it to travel the country in the summer and still get 21 MPG at freeway speeds....not bad for 680HP!

Overkill is a relative term

No family for us to haul around&#8230;all grown up. The Lacrosse is filling the bill for a sporty looking sedan, somewhat sporty performance, AND a whole boatload of bells and whistles! We&#8217;re quite happy with it albeit a few gremlins so far since buying in December.

 

[kcrnmale]

At times, my LaCrosse CXS is a bat out of hell, and other times the engine seems a bit sluggish. It's almost like I don't know which woman.....oops...I shouldn't use that word....I'm gonna get when I step hard on the gas pedal.

I must have been thinking of my wife.....😉

 

[InfiniteImp]

Living in Buffalo, I wanted AWD, but I bought the CXS because I wanted the bigger engine and I liked the looks of the dual exhaust tips. My salesman told me that with Stabilitrac and traction control, the CXS would be okay in snow, even with the Touring Package and low-profile tires. I have to say that he was right. The CXS goes through snow quite well, and I didn't even purchase snow tires. I'm sure there will come a time when I wished I had the AWD, but for now I'm quite satisfied with my decision.

Same here. I originally had the 3.0 AWD planned, but decided that given the typical lack of snow here (Toronto) in the winter time, why should I put up with all-year-long decreased milage in exchange for maybe 3 snowfalls worth of AWD use.

I'm happy I went with the 3.6. The car handles very well in the snow on the all-seasons. I may do winters next year which should provide even more impressive snow/ice performance.

 

[jimbo56]

Same here. I originally had the 3.0 AWD planned, but decided that given the typical lack of snow here (Toronto) in the winter time, why should I put up with all-year-long decreased milage in exchange for maybe 3 snowfalls worth of AWD use.

You're only about 60 air miles from me, yet you only get about a third of the snowfall I get. Sucks to be me. Curse the lakes (at least in the winter)! Lake effect snow is awful, even if I can plow through it in the CSX.

 

[InfiniteImp]

You're only about 60 air miles from me, yet you only get about a third of the snowfall I get. Sucks to be me. Curse the lakes (at least in the winter)! Lake effect snow is awful, even if I can plow through it in the CSX.

Funny enough, I'd gladly swap you. I love the snow and drivng in it. Last year's Non-Winter was a real let-down. This one has been good. I want at least one serious storm before spring, though.

 

[jimbo56]

Funny enough, I'd gladly swap you. I love the snow and drivng in it. Last year's Non-Winter was a real let-down. This one has been good. I want at least one serious storm before spring, though.

I'd swap you but I couldn't afford to live in Canada. I went to the Toronto Auto Show today and couldn't help but notice how expensive everything is. My 40K LaCrosse in Buffalo just became a 50K car in Toronto. Doesn't seem fair with the two dollars at par.

 

[Greg B.]

I'd swap you but I couldn't afford to live in Canada. I went to the Toronto Auto Show today and couldn't help but notice how expensive everything is. My 40K LaCrosse in Buffalo just became a 50K car in Toronto. Doesn't seem fair with the two dollars at par.

Welcome to the world of govt-supplied healthcare.

Everything here is taxed to the hilt, but even worse, car manufacturers always slap a significant price premium on cars here as compared to the US. It has made for an active cottage industry bringing cars into Canada and certifying them for sale here, though you sometimes run into warranty issues afterward. Not sure it's worth it.

 

[Godzson]

At times, my LaCrosse CXS is a bat out of hell, and other times the engine seems a bit sluggish. It's almost like I don't know which woman.....oops...I shouldn't use that word....I'm gonna get when I step hard on the gas pedal.

I must have been thinking of my wife.....😉

Oh i know exactly what you mean. Some days i hit the gas and she takes off like a rocket. Then one day some guy next to me revs his engine at me and I wanted to have a little fun until the next light. I hit the gas and its like she started looking around like "who me?" and would barely move. Nonetheless, i still love her, quirks and all 🙄

 

[InfiniteImp]

😛

I'd swap you but I couldn't afford to live in Canada. I went to the Toronto Auto Show today and couldn't help but notice how expensive everything is. My 40K LaCrosse in Buffalo just became a 50K car in Toronto. Doesn't seem fair with the two dollars at par.

Ya it made sense back in the day where the Canadian dollar was worth $0.60 US, but now, they should be close to the same, with the difference in price accounting for transportation cost and taxes. Then again, given our taxes here, maybe THEY are the reason it's so expensive.

 

[InfiniteImp]

Welcome to the world of govt-supplied healthcare.

Everything here is taxed to the hilt, but even worse, car manufacturers always slap a significant price premium on cars here as compared to the US. It has made for an active cottage industry bringing cars into Canada and certifying them for sale here, though you sometimes run into warranty issues afterward. Not sure it's worth it.

Never mind the governemnt, MANUFACTURERS do the same thing! A buddy of mine was buying a 55" plasma TV a few months back. The thing was over $700 cheaper in the US for the IDENTICAL model. He was willing to drive across the border to pick one up but the manufacturer (Samsung) told him the warranty would not be honored in Canada. How's that for a scam?