Buick LaCrosse Vs. Toyota Avalon

Need a luxurious sedan to handle your daily commute to Orange Park, Jacksonville, Fleming Island, or Green Cove Springs but have a tight budget? The 2019 Toyota Avalon and 2019 Buick LaCrosse offer all the premium features you want without the hefty price tags found in most luxury cars. Which of these sub-luxury sedans is the better option for you? Continue reading to find out.

Exterior

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse and 2019 Toyota Avalon went through recent redesigns, but the Avalon’s new look is two years younger, as it is all-new this year. The Avalon’s new look follows in the footsteps of its little brother, the Camry, as its body is longer, wider, and lower than before. If this new stance isn’t enough to sport things up for you, the new body sure will be, especially the more performance-focused XSE and Touring trims.

The Buick LaCrosse went through its last redesign in 2017, bringing in a more European design without the European price tag. It also retains all the classic Buick signatures like the waterfall grille and fender ports. This new look gives the LaCrosse a more mature appearance established luxury car buyers will prefer.

Both sedans fall in what some call the sub-luxury segment, as they are not quite luxury cars, but they are also not your mainstream vehicles. They both fit this segment well with standard alloy wheels, plenty of tasteful chrome, power mirrors, and full LED lighting.

In terms of size, the 2019 LaCrosse is larger in every key measurable. This makes the Avalon the easier vehicle to navigate in tight traffic and into ever-shrinking parking garage spaces.

Advantage: 2019 Buick LaCrosse

• Classy European styling
• Longer and more luxurious looking
• Larger standard wheels

Advantage: 2019 Toyota Avalon

• Sportier looks
• Even sportier XSE model
• Smaller and easier to zip through traffic

Interior

Inside, the 2019 Toyota Avalon features a stylish and sporty cabin with a focus on horizontal lines to help make it look and feel wider. It also has available two-material seats and a stubby gear shifter to further enhance its sporty appearance. Standard features are also plentiful and include a 7-inch multi-information display, leatherette seating, eight-way power front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, four USB 2.0 charge-only ports, the Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite, a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and tons more.

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse puts more focus on luxurious touches in its design, including its swoopy dash lines, chunky center console that rises up and flows into the dash, a four-spoke steering wheel, an integrated touchscreen, an electric gear shifter, and more. The LACrosse matches most of the Avalon’s standard equipment, but it adds an 8-inch multi-information screen, standard Android Auto, and ambient lighting. It comes up shy with just an 8-inch touchscreen, but that is its only shortcoming.

The Buick LaCrosse has an extra luxury wrinkle with its Avenir trim that adds loads of tech and look-good bits to bring it one step closer to a true luxury car. The Avalon sets itself apart with its long list of standard safety equipment, most of which is only optional in the LaCrosse.

In roominess, the Toyota Avalon has a small advantage in nearly every measurable, but most of the differences are so small, the average buyer wouldn’t notice them.

Advantage: 2019 Toyota Avalon

• Sportier cabin
• Loads of standard safety gear
• More interior room

Advantage: 2019 Buick LaCrosse

• Luxurious cabin
• Even more luxurious Avenir model
• Buick QuietTuning makes whisper-quiet inside

Performance

As sub-luxury vehicles, the LaCrosse and Avalon must meet buyers’ performance expectations, and both do.

The base LaCrosse powertrain is a 2.5-liter eAssist four-cylinder engine. The eAssist system is a mild-hybrid unit that helps boost fuel economy without adding the heavy equipment needed for a full-hybrid system. This combines to deliver 194 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque that flows through a six-speed automatic transmission for a respectable 7.3-second 0-to-60 sprint.

There is also an optional 3.6-liter V-6 engine that pushes 310 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is also available with all-wheel drive — something the Avalon lacks. With the V-6 engine, the LaCrosse sprints to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.

The Toyota Avalon has a hybrid model, but it is a full hybrid and not a competitor for the LaCrosse. Instead, the only powertrain the standard Avalon has is a 3.5-liter V-6 that pushes 301 horsepower and 26+7 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission for a 6-second 0-to-60 time.

With its base model being a four-cylinder with a mild-hybrid system, the 2019 LaCrosse delivers a few extra mpg over the Avalon. Pitting V-6 against V-6 nets a different result, as the Avalon beats the LaCrosse by up to 3 mpg combined.

Advantage: 2019 Toyota Avalon

• More standard power
• Better V-6 fuel economy
• Sporty handling

Advantage: 2019 Buick LaCrosse

• Thrifty base engine
• Better V-6 acceleration
• QuietTuning makes a quiet, smooth ride

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Buick LaCrosse is available in six trim levels — 1SV, Preferred, Essence, Premium, Sport Touring, and Avenir — and prices range from $30,495 to $45,795.

There are four trim levels in the 2019 Avalon lineup — XLE, XSE, Limited, and Touring — and their starting prices range from $35,650 to $42,350.

2019 Buick LaCrosse Key Features and Pricing by Trim

1SV: $30,495

• 2.5-liter eAssist mild hybrid four-cylinder engine
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Electric parking brake
• Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Body-color door handles with chrome accents
• Darkened black grille with body-color surround
• Fog lights
• Acoustic windshield
• Auto-on/off headlights
• Heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals
• HID headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• LED taillights
• Bright bodyside moldings
• Two 12-volt power outlets
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat
• 8-inch multicolor driver-information screen
• Eight-speaker audio system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Ambient lighting
• Bright front door-sill plates
• Buick Connected Access capable
• Buick Infotainment System
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Siri EyesFree
• SiriusXM radio
• USB ports
• Cruise control
• Power door locks
• Carpeted floor mats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• Power windows with one-touch up/down front glass
• Buick QuietTuning
• Rear air vents
• Remote ignition
• Eight-way power driver’s seat
• Leatherette seating
• Steering-wheel-mounted controls
• Universal home remote
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• OnStar
• Rear park assist
• Rearview camera
• Teen Driver
• Alarm

Preferred: $34,595

• All 1SV features, plus
• Cargo net
• Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel

Essence: $37,295

• All Preferred features, plus
• Heated front seats
• Two-position memory for mirrors and driver’s seat
• Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
• Mirror-integrated LED turn signals
• Adaptive headlights
• Perforated leather seating
• Wireless charging pad

Premium: $39,595

• All Essence features, plus
• Heated steering wheel
• In-vehicle air ionizer
• Massaging front seats
• 110-volt power outlet on the rear of the center console
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-zone monitoring
• Lane-change alert
• Following distance indicator
• Forward collision warning
• Head-up display
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane-departure warning
• Safety Alert driver’s seat

Sport Touring: $40,295

• All Preferred features, plus
• 3.6-liter V-6 engine
• Nine-speed automatic transmission

• Dual-outlet exhaust
• 19-inch aluminum wheels with Midnight Silver finish
• Driver’s side auto-dimming mirror
• Mirror-integrated LED turn signals
• Rear spoiler
• Body-color fender vents
• Heated front seats
• Two-position memory for driver’s seat and mirrors
• Perforated leather seating
• Wireless charging pad

Avenir: $45,795

• All Premium features, plus
• 3.6-liter V-6 engine
• Nine-speed automatic transmission
• Dual-outlet exhaust
• 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Midnight Silver finish
• Panoramic moonroof
• Navigation
• Bose Centerpoint surround system
• HD Radio
• Avenir floor mats
• Avenir script door-sill plates
• Power rear sunshade

2019 Toyota Avalon Key Features and Pricing by Trim

XLE: $35,650

• 3.5-liter V-6 engine
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Front -wheel drive
• Electric power steering
• ECO, Normal, and Sport   modes
• 17-inch silver-painted alloy wheels
• LED reflector headlights with auto-on/off
• LED daytime running lights
• LED taillights
• Chrome grille surround with dark gray insert
• Heated, power mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Smart Key on front doors and trunk
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Acoustic windshield
• Dual exhaust with chrome tips
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 7-inch multi-information display
• Leatherette seating
• Eight-way power front seats
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Hydrographic interior trim
• Keyless ignition
• Power windows with one-touch up/down operation
• Power door locks
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• One 12-volt power outlet
• Four USB 2.0 charge-only ports
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Electric parking brake
• Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Eight-speaker AM/FM/HD Radio audio system
• Advanced voice recognition
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Scout GPS Link
• Siri EyesFree
• Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM
• In-car Wi-Fi
• Remote Connect
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
• Full-speed adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Lane-departure alert with steering assist
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Hill-start assist
• Emergency assistance
• Stolen-vehicle locator
• Roadside assistance
• Automatic collision notification

XSE: $38,150

• All XLE features, plus
• Sport-tuned shocks
• Smoked-chrome headlights bezels
• Piano-black grille with sport mesh insert
• Piano-black mirrors
• Power moonroof
• 19-inch black-painted alloy wheels
• Piano-black rear spoiler
• Dual exhaust with quad-tip outlets
• Intake Sound Generator
• Wireless phone charger
• Perforated leatherette seating with Ultrasuede inserts
• Premium-leather-wrapped steering wheel

• Genuine aluminum trim
• Aluminum pedal covers
• Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror

Limited: $41,950

• All XLE features, plus
• Smoked-chrome headlight bezels
• Fully integrated LED daytime running lights
• Laser-ablation-design headlights and taillights
• Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
• Power moonroof
• 18-inch SuperChrome alloy wheels
• Wireless phone charger
• Premium leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 10-inch head-up display
• Genuine wood trim
• Ambient lighting for cup holders
• Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror
• HomeLink universal garage door opener
• Entune 3.0 Premium Audio infotainment system with App Suite
• Navigation
• 14 JBL speaker
• 1,200-watt audio system
• Navigation with dynamic POI search

Touring: $42,350

• All XSE features, plus
• ECO, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes
• Adaptive variable suspension
• Sport-tuned exhaust
• Engine-sound enhancement
• Active noise control
• Laser-ablation headlight and taillight design
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel

• 10-inch head-up display
• Entune 3.0 Premium Audio infotainment system with App Suite
• Navigation
• 14 JBL speaker
• 1,200-watt audio system
• Navigation with dynamic POI search

Who Should Buy the 2019 Buick LaCrosse?

With its low-drama, European styling, the Buick LaCrosse is great for more established luxury-car buyers seeking a more toned-down car. Plus, with its lower starting price, the LaCrosse can give buyers on a tighter budget an affordable sub-luxury sedan with loads of features.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Toyota Avalon?

Seeking a luxurious sedan with some attitude? The 2019 Toyota Avalon is the perfect ride with its standard V-6 engine, sporty handling, and sharp looks. Also, its roomier cabin is better suited for buyers who often haul adults in the back seats.

Whether you need it to commute to work in Green Cove Springs, pick up clients in Jacksonville, or to head to Fleming Island for a weekend away, the 2019 Buick LaCrosse can handle it all with style, class, and affordability. Head down to Garber Automall serving the Green Cove Springs area to test drive the 2019 Buick LaCrosse and see what it can offer you. Can’t make it to our Jacksonville area Buick showroom today? Navigate to our online showroom to see our selection of in-stock 2019 LaCrosse models, choose one that suits you, and schedule a future test drive.