2019 Buick LaCrosse Sport Touring Gives Sedan Some New Style

Buick is adding a new, more sporting version of its LaCrosse sedan to the line-up, promising feistier styling though no extra power. The 2019 Buick LaCrosse ST – or Sport Touring – keeps the 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission of the regular LaCrosse, for its 310 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque.

However, it'll be dressed up in a new monotone theme. That means a body color grille surround and side vents, rather than the chrome of other LaCrosse trims. A rear spoiler – as subtle as you'd hope for and expect from a Buick – together with black mesh for the grille are also included.

The 19-inch wheels are finished in midnight silver, meanwhile. There'll be five color options available in Sport Touring form: White Frost Tricoat, Satin Steel Metallic, Quicksilver Metallic, Red Quartz Tintcoat, and Ebony Twilight Metallic. Finally, there'll be ST badging on the trunk.

For that, you're looking at a starting price of $40,295, plus $925 destination. Buick will only be offering the 2019 LaCrosse ST in front-wheel drive form, rather than the all-wheel drive configuration available in some trims. Economy is an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Inside, there's an 8-inch touchscreen in the center console, with navigation an option. A Bose audio system is also available. Heated driver and front passenger seats are standard, together with rear parking assistance, remote start, and 4G LTE with a built-in WiFi hotspot. Rear cross traffic alert and lane change alerts with blind zone monitoring are optional.

In the back, there's a 60/40 split folding rear bench. Dual-zone climate control is standard, along with cruise control and leather seats. Buick's Teen Driver system, which can optionally limit certain features when a young driver is at the wheel, and give a report as to how the car was driven during that time, is also standard.

As for the rest of the 2019 LaCrosse line-up, the tweaks for the new model year are relatively minor. The LaCrosse Avenir, Buick's top-spec trim, is getting a new air ionizer, while all of the other trims will be offered with two new exterior colors, Carrageen Metallic and Pewter Metallic. Sales – including the 2019 LaCrosse Sport Touring – will kick off this summer.