2008 Buick LaCrosse Review: A Capable, Comfortable Mid-Size Sedan, but Not Nearly the Best in Class

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is powerful and comfortable with seating for six (or for four if you’d rather not be banging elbows with your passengers). But, with typical listing prices starting at around $6,000, and a standard feature list shorter than you’ll find with its cheaper competitors, it might not be worth the money.

Is the 2008 Buick LaCrosse a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – The LaCrosse is perfectly acceptable in almost every single way. It just doesn’t go above and beyond in any particular area, and it feels a bit like the budget version of a muscly mid-size sedan.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It’s a very comfortable car, but the back seat can be a bit tight for more than one or two adults at a time.
• Reliability 7/10 – The LaCrosse will probably last 200,000 miles without issue, and it could go another 50,000 if you take excellent care of it.
• Safety 6/10 – Standard safety features are skimpy and crash test scores are middling.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – The base engine averages 17/28 miles to the gallon, which is acceptable, if not impressive for a 2008 V6.
• Value 7/10 – $6,000 is a fair price for a Buick LaCrosse, but the Chrysler 300 and the Ford Taurus are cheaper, and better.

What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?

Consumer Reports liked the comfortable, quiet ride and responsive handling, but found the 2008 LaCrosse to lag behind the class leaders thanks in large part to poor fuel economy and a cramped back seat.

Kelley Blue Book called the 2008 LaCrosse a powerful, comfortable family sedan. They liked the Cadillac-based V6 engine and found the fuel economy to be better than in previous models. They note that old-fashioned styling and tight back seats may be a turn off for some drivers.

Edmunds had strong praise for the LaCrosse’s V6 and V8 engine lineup, and they liked the seating for six, a rarity in modern sedans. They didn’t like the mediocre handling, noisy base engine, or cheap interior materials, and they note some middling crash test scores as a negative.

What Common Problems Does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Have?

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse has generated 247 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly half of these are for electrical issues and exterior lighting problems, with drivers reporting door locks engaging or disengaging on their own, and headlights burning out early.

A third of the total has to do with airbag problems. Drivers report the airbag light staying on for no apparent reason. There have been no recalls for this issue.

A handful of engine complaints see the car shutting off entirely while in motion. A 2014 recall was issued to address this problem, but complaints persist as late as 2020.

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse has been recalled just twice, which is below average for a car of this model year.

How Long Will the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Last?

LaCrosse drivers typically report the car lasting between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. Reaching that quarter million with excellent maintenance isn’t unrealistic, but you’ll have to take the previous owner’s driving and maintenance habits into account.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $481. New air conditioning refrigerant lins make up the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $675.

How Is the Technology?

Standard entertainment technology is pretty basic in the 2008 LaCrosse. You’ve got a CD player with 6 speakers, and that’s about it. That can be upgraded to include an MP3 player and a 9-speaker Concert Sound III system.

Safety technology is incredibly basic. Anti-lock brakes are pretty much all you get in the base model. You can add stability control, but even in the high-end models the features list is pretty underwhelming.

Is the 2008 Buick LaCrosse a Good Value?

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is priced fairly. The entry-level model typically lists for around $5,936 while a high-end Super will go for around $6,962. These prices are right down the middle for what you expect to spend on a 2008 mid-size sedan.

Maintenance costs are moderate and fuel-economy is acceptable, if unimpressive, so cost of ownership is fair. The 2008 LaCrosse is hardly the bargain of the Century, but you won’t drive off the lot feeling like you’ve been taken for a ride, either.

What are the Different Models of the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is available in four trim levels, from the base CX to the high-end CXS and the Super performance model.

In the entry-level CX you’re getting:

• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry
• Anti-lock brakes
• CD player
• Cloth seating

The mid-range CXL adds:

• Leather seating Heated front seats 6-way power adjust driver seat

With the top-of-the-line CXS you’re adding:

• Traction control

The high-performance Super adds a more powerful V8 engine, plus:

• MP3 player with 9-speaker Concert Sound III system
• Heated mirrors
• UltraSonic parking assist

What Engines Come In the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?

• The LaCrosse’s base engine is a 3.8L V6 delivering 200 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 17/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• In the CXS model you’ll find a 3.6L V6 delivering 240 horsepower and 225 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive and should average 17/25 miles to the gallon.
• The Super model packs a 5.3L V8 delivering an impressive 300 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 16/24 miles to the gallon, and it hits zero to sixty in six seconds.

What Colors Does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?

The 2008 LaCrosse is moderately comfortable. With two adults in the front and some kids in the back, you’ll hear no complaints. But the back row, at 54 inches across, can get a bit tight for three adults. On the other hand, the suspension rides smooth and the cabin is cushy enough.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Have?

The 2008 LaCrosse offers 16 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. This will pack five medium suitcases, and is on par with what you should expect of a 2008 mid-size sedan.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is the fourth model year in the car’s 1st Generation, running from 2005 to 2009.

2006: The only big change for the LaCrosse’s second model year saw the car being brought up to code for new emissions standards.

2007: OnStar got an upgrade for 2007, and the CXS model received satellite radio.

2008: Remote start was new for 2008.

2009: The Super model was discontinued in 2009.

2010: Buick redesigned the LaCrosse as a large premium sedan in 2010, offering improved handling, styling, and performance overall, plus an all wheel drive option.

How Does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Compare to the Competition?

The 2008 Chrysler 300 typically lists for a few hundred dollars cheaper than a comparable LaCrosse. The 300 is a well-balanced blend of luxury, power, and practicality. It even comes in an SRT8 performance model delivering 425 horsepower.

A Ford Taurus typically lists for about a thousand bucks less than a LaCrosse, packing a capable 263 horsepower V6 and a much more generous list of standard features.

The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is a fine car. It’s capable, comfortable, and packs a lot of power under the hood. But compared to some of its competitors, it can feel like the budget version of a muscly luxury sedan, and that’s a major drawback when it costs more than a comparable Chrysler or Ford.

Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?