2018- eAssist (2.5L I4 mild hybrid)

[leviramsey]

Any third-generation (2018-????) LaCrosse owners with eAssist out there?

I've had a 2018 Essence with eAssist for over 6 months now, and I figured there should be a thread for experiences more specific to this generation with eAssist. At this point, I have over 17k miles on it, which I suspect puts me in the running for highest mileage example (given that at least in New England, it seems that the ratio is more than 5:1 V6 vs. eAssist, so I bet that there are only a few thousand eAssist '18 LaCrosses out there).

I took it to the dealer for an oil change/etc. a few weeks ago and I've noticed that the eAssist is a lot more willing to send power to the wheels. Is there a software update that dealers are applying?

Before, with a lot of 75-80 mph driving with the A/C on (ECO mode), I'd get 34-35 mpg. Now I'm typically topping 40!

If it's a software update, I'm wondering what prompted it. Is the battery pack a lower-capacity Volt/Bolt pack (seems reasonable... maybe the main justification for eAssist is a way to repurpose Volt/Bolt battery packs with too many bad cells?), in which case did they learn from the Volts that these batteries are good for more discharge/recharge cycles than previously thought?

 

[MelsRegal]

Look at the TSB/manufacturers communications at the NHTSA's web site to see if there were software updates.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

That's really good gas mileage. My '12 e-assist gets around 32 MPG in all around suburban driving, lot's of it highway, 34-35 MPG on a trip. That has stayed about the same as when new - I'm at 80K miles now. Those #s are what the dash display shows - is that the MPG you are also quoting?

 

[Rich B.]

Nice, I wouldn't complain or change a thing. Current generation is much tweaked compared to initial is my understanding. Updates ongoing sometimes nobody knows what's been done, look at Windows?

Such high mileage for late model cars though. Know I wouldn't buy a used 2018 with over 100K on OD.

 

[leviramsey]

That's really good gas mileage. My '12 e-assist gets around 32 MPG in all around suburban driving, lot's of it highway, 34-35 MPG on a trip. That has stayed about the same as when new - I'm at 80K miles now. Those #s are what the dash display shows - is that the MPG you are also quoting?

Yeah, that's the display on the dash. It's pretty consistently about 1 higher than logged from fill-up to fill-up so I don't sweat it.

Nice, I wouldn't complain or change a thing.

Definitely not complaining. Just wondering if anyone else has seen that.

 

[stoopid]

At this point, I have over 17k miles on it, which I suspect puts me in the running for highest mileage example (given that at least in New England, it seems that the ratio is more than 5:1 V6 vs. eAssist, so I bet that there are only a few thousand eAssist '18 LaCrosses out there).

Might be lower than that, not sure there's much demand for the eassist model. I suspect most LaCrosse buyers are attracted to the available V6 (points at self).

Fwiw, the 2017 LaCrosse (same Gen) only came with the V6, so you're in relatively lonely company right now with more than half of the total models sold without your drivetrain even being available. Hopefully that changes in time and new owners wander in here from google searches to chime in.

** I just checked, and the excitement over the eassist is so underwhelming even the wiki page for the LaCrosse makes no mention of it...

Buick LaCrosse - Wikipedia

I'll see what info I can find and I'll add it.

** Okay, it's been added. Looks like this drivetrain is standard now, and the V6 the option. Which means we'll probably see more 2.5L owners visiting the site soon.