Chevrolet Avalanche: 2001-2013

When the Chevrolet Avalanche first debuted in 2001, it was a confusing vehicle. But by the end of 2003, selling upwards of 90,000 vehicles, the Avalanche had established itself as a mainframe in the Chevrolet lineup. But as demand for Silverado's and Colorado's increased, the Avalanche saw a decrease. And now, only selling around 2,000 Avalanche's per month, Chevrolet has decided to let go of the Avalanche.

     Chevrolet is celebrating the departure of the Avalanche with a special edition called; The Black Diamond. This package will include body color trim work, special badges, and lower pricing. GM and Chevy are rewarding their loyal customers, and hopefully new customers, with about $2,500 off MSRP. They are also making a few adjustments to their trim levels and the options provided. LT trim will now provide a standard rear-view camera, and the LS model will sport; rear-parking assist, power-adjustable pedals, fog lights, and remote start; all standard.
     Personally, I used to love the Avalanche when i was younger. Recently, I just see it as an alternative to the Silverado. I think it's a unique vehicle which for the right deal, is great to have. So if you want a new truck, make your move on an Avalanche and take advantage of the great deals!

Distracted Driving

Traffic accidents are usually just that, an accident. Driving distractions are a continual cause for concern as people, teens especially, are distracted by all kinds of things going on inside and outside of the vehicle. 

Here’s a list of the most observed distractions: Cell phone use, grooming, eating, use of navigation, interaction with other passengers, adjusting the radio, and reading. Studies have shown that texting is the most distracting because it uses up manual, cognitive, and visual senses. Texting is no stranger to anyone, in the U.S. in June of 2011, 196 billion texts were sent and received. That is an astounding number as it was up 50% from June of 2009. Another alarming stat is that 40% of people have said they were in a car where the teenage driver put them at danger by using a cell phone. Personally, if I am in the car with someone and desperately need to check a text, I would have my passenger do it for me. These next stats show just how much texting can amplify the magnitude of a crash. According to VTTI, texting while riving creates a 23% higher risk of a crash than driving without a distraction. Also, texting while driving gives you the same response time as if you had a .08 blood alcohol rating. This stat makes me thankful that there are now laws against texting and driving in Michigan because if it is the same as someone driving drunk, it needs to be eliminated. When a vehicle is not being controlled by someone, it can be a killing machine. Carnegie Mellon research shows that driving while using a cell phone reduces the mount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. So that means that nearly half of you is driving a car while the other half is telling Jimmy how much you like him. 

When I drive a car, I know how dangerous it can be. So many little things can go wrong, and that is why it is so important to eliminate as many distractions as you can to make your driving experience as safe as possible.

Chevrolet Volt Sales

The Chevy Volt is a revolutionary electric vehicle which is finally beginning to pick up steam. The Volt has actually been slow to gain drivers as people are impressed with the Volt, but not quite sure if they want one yet.  Numbers were not meeting desired sales figures in February so Chevy actually decided to halt Volt production in the months of March and April for five weeks because they were producing too many Volt's. However, when the recent sales figures for March arrived, Chevrolet decided to reduce the Volt production hiatus by one week as sales in March doubled sales in February. Chevrolet, and I'm assuming the environment, were very pleased with this sales increase as they are hoping that the recent attacks on the Volt by the Right Wing are over. Charging stations are popping up all around Grand Rapids, Michigan (GR was recently named #1 best place to raise a family and #2 best place to live overall) and that is sure a great sight to see. Our environment cannot last and provide the same opportunities for the future generations as we are able to experience today without our help. Chevrolet is working to push their environmentally friendly Volt and make it available as much as they can, now it is up to us to act and utilize everything that technology and automobiles can offer.

Cruise Control

One of the most commonly over-looked options on vehicles today is cruise control. It is an easy way to be sure to not speed, while at the same time, driving fast enough to not upset other drivers.
First, we'll take a look at a few advantages to cruise control. Long drive's can be quite boring and actually quite exhausting! Cruise control is a great way to reduce driver fatigue as you are able to adjust your positioning and get more comfortable. Also on these long drives, fuel efficiency is often better while using cruise control. Many drivers today tend to have a lead foot (myself included), so taking your foot off the gas and letting the engine monitor the speed is a great way to achieve the best possible fuel economy your car can achieve. My favorite benefit however is using cruise control to not excessively exceed the speed limit! On a long and straight highway, it is very easy to just keep pushing that gas pedal down, but with cruise control, your speed will be whatever you set it at. Of course you have the ability to set it at 80 in a 70, but if your not one for living on the edge, setting your cruise at 72 is a great option.

Using cruise control does have its disadvantages however. referring back to the advantage of making yourself more comfortable is where this disadvantages arises. When you rely entirely on cruise control, sometimes you may become less aware and therefore, not able to have the quickest response time available. If you make yourself comfortable, it is usually the case that your foot is not as close to the brake or gas as it should be. A recent technology in many cars today which is looking to counter this problem is adaptive cruise control. This will monitor the cars around your vehicle and make sure to use the right amount of braking or acceleration as needed. Another time to be wary of cruise control is in snow, ice, slush, or rain. The vehicle is unaware of the conditions, so it may lose grip and begin speeding up in wet conditions which can be very dangerous. Vehicles today are using a stabilitrak system which is aimed to monitor this and protect the car from spinning out. But no system is perfect so always be careful if you decide to use cruise control when wet conditions arise.

Cruise control is a very nice convenience to have in your vehicle, but you just need to make sure to be aware at all times while using cruise control, and be smart while using it.

Driving in the Rain

    
Just because winter is over in Michigan, does not necessarily mean that driving becomes easier. The rain that inevitably falls in the Spring can create dangerous driving conditions which many people are unaware of. I am here to share a few tips on how to drive carefully in the rain.
     Using cruise control on wet pavement has often been argued as unsafe. Judging by the research i have read, I would have to agree that using cruise control on wet pavement can increase the probability of hydroplaning. If the tires hit water and the treads do not catch, your engine will speed up causing you to hydroplane and lose control and because you are using cruise control, your feet may not be as close to the brake, causing your reaction ability to decrease. It is also important to remember that if you begin to hydroplane, do not turn the wheel or brake suddenly as this can send your car spinning, instead, slowly release your foot off the gas and steer straight. If you have anti-lock brakes, braking may be acceptable.

     Before reading up on this topic I was unaware of this scenario. Be especially cautious after a long dry spell when the rain falls. Engine grease and oil will build up along the pavement and when that first rain arrives, the roads will become extremely slick. It is important to maybe wait a few hours until the rain washes away the grease and oils so your commute is as safe as possible.
     One simple tip that many people overlook is the use of your headlamps. For many people, the rain makes it difficult to see, so you want to make sure that your headlamps are turned on so other drivers are aware of where you are on the road.

     Last but not least, if you see a huge puddle, don't try to make a huge splash by accelerating towards it. Even though this looks pretty cool, it can be very harmful for your engine. If the water makes its way up to your electrical components of the engine, it could cause damage which can ruin your engine and become very costly.
     Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and never underestimate how the weather can affect driving conditions. Drive Safe!

Chevrolet Sonic: Sporty and Smart

The Chevrolet Sonic hatchback is one of Chevrolet’s most recent creations. The Sonic is a drastic improvement from the outgoing Aveo both in quality and performance.

The Sonic features two engines which it shares with the Cruze, a 1.8L 4 Cylinder, and a 1.4L 4 Cylinder Turbo. The most popular engine is definitely the 1.4L Turbo which offers 138HP and 148lb-ft of torque, the most torque in its class. The Turbo engine launches the Sonic from 0-60 in an impressive 7.8 seconds. This number is especially impressive considering that the Sonic achieves 40MPG highway. The Sonic turbo on a full tank of gas can travel an astounding 488 miles! That’s a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The engine is only half of what makes the Sonic such a sporty ride. Chevy went through hundreds of suspension variations until they got the perfect blend of sport and comfort. The Sonic is a great small car for performance and fuel economy.

Even though the Sonic is priced to start as low as 14,000$, it is loaded with technology options. One of my favorite features is that you can start up your Sonic via your smartphone through the OnStar application. This means that in the winter, your car can be heated up by the time you get in, or in the summer, it can be cooled down for you, pretty convenient if you ask me. Another neat feature the Sonic provides is the radio connectivity. Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio are both available as well as the possibility of hooking up your iPod to play through the radio. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you may want to try the Bluetooth connectivity availability which allows you to make calls through your vehicle.

The Sonic already has a great looking exterior but if you want to spice thinks up, Chevy has you covered. Chevy offers all kinds of cool graphics which the dealer can add to your Sonic, as well as matching black or white wheels, whichever floats your boat.

As always, Chevy doesn’t neglect safety. Sonic has you covered all over with 10 standard airbags which is the most in its class and is a key factor in its top safety pick by the IIHS. Other neat safety features include, StabliTrak, electronic brake force distribution, and the always trusted; OnStar.  

The Sonic is a great small vehicle for your money. You don’t usually expect such a fun drive from such a low priced vehicle, but the Sonic is re-writing how small cars are made.

April Fools

When I was a kid, I looked forward to April Fools like it was Christmas. I loved plotting elaborate plans to trick my family only to be so caught up in the moment that they get me good with a joke. Even today, they somehow manage to get me good and I'm almost 21.
Some people believe that April Fools presents an unlucky omen. Chrysler CEO Marchionne says that the scheduled release of the new Dodge Dart for April 1, may not be the best idea. At the Geneva Auto-show he recently said he may delay the date due to the "jinx" factor. Personally, I don't lose sleep over this sort of thing and I would give the customers what they want, a Dart to test drive on April 1. I have actually been waiting on the purchase of my next car until I can test drive the Dart. It seems to be a sporty car with an ample amount of horsepower produced by a turbocharged four cylinder and I am quite excited to drive it and make my decision on a vehicle. It's not like that one extra day will kill me, but I am really looking forward to a new car and the days seem to be moving by too slowly.
In the end, the extra day shouldn't make a difference for customers, and maybe it will eliminate a negative omen. Time will tell when we see how the Dart sells in America.

Windows Down or Windows Up?

Now that spring and summer are approaching, temperatures are increasing and gas prices are rising. This brings up a question, is it more fuel efficient to drive with your windows down with no air conditioning? Or is it more fuel efficient to have the windows up, eliminating drag with the A/C on? I have some information for you to consider.

            Studies conducted at a GM wind tunnel show that driving with the windows down consumes more fuel than does the air conditioning at speeds above 50 miles per hour. According to sources, with the windows down in a car, efficiency drops by 20%; it drops 8% with a large SUV. At these driving speeds, it is definitely more fuel efficient to drive with the windows up and A/C on.

            Now how about when you are just driving around down at speeds under 50? Driving at the lower speeds reduces drag so it is actually more efficient to drive with the windows down. However, be wary of acceleration, drag increases exponentially, so by going from 35 to 70, drag does not double, it quadruples.

            A good rule of thumb, experts say, is 40 miles per hour. So at 40, switch over to you’re A/C. There are also other studies and tests that argue windows down all the time is better. In my opinion, driving with the windows down and sunroof open are worth losing the gas efficiency.

Happy Motoring

Buick Verano: Creating New Paths

It’s about time that Buick throw their hats into the ring for the compact luxury group. The new Buick Verano is GM and Buicks poster child. But wait a minute; does the compact luxury market even exist? It does now. The Verano seems to place itself below cars (price-wise) such as the Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, and Audi A3, but above the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, and Ford Focus. The Verano comes in at around 23-25K, but fully loaded for around 29K. So what exactly is the Buick Verano “compact luxury sedan” all about? Let me explain.

            The Verano comes standard with a 2.4 Liter direct injected four, pumping out 182HP. It reaches 60MPH in about 8.4 seconds. It’s not the fastest car in the world, but it’s not expected to be either. Later on in the year Buick is expected to offer a turbo based Verano with an engine similar to the Regal Turbo. The current engine gets very good gas mileage at: 22MPG city and 31MPG highway.

Now let’s move on to the Buick aspect of a Buick, luxury. Buick has gone to great lengths to make the Verano as quiet as possible. The Verano has: Triple sealed doors, laminated side glass, an isolated engine cradle, aero panels underneath the car, and a fabric wrapped headliner. Talk about obsessive quietness! A plush leather interior and elegant dash give the Buick a luxurious feel. The optional leather seats in the Verano are extremely high quality which resemble that of the Cadillac’s, if not even better than Cadillac.

The interior instrument panel is extremely similar to the popular Regal; with it’s easy to use functionality and attractive blue ambient lighting it makes the lesser valued cars such as the Focus seem undervalued and the high priced cars such as the Audi A3 seem overvalued. The engine Start-Stop is a neat feature, but I would have liked to see it be distinct from the rest of the buttons, which it’s not. The Verano is also equipped with Buick’s Intellilink system which is a great touch screen audio system that can connect your phone through Bluetooth or your iPod through a USB port. 

            Safety is also a focal point for Buicks, the Verano is no exception. Standard with 10, yes 10 airbags, the Verano is a IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012. Like most other GM cars, OnStar is standard for 6 months with the option to be continued.  

            The Verano is not offered in the traditional CX, CXS, and CXL models, instead it is offered with various packages including the: Base, Convenience, and Leather group. I like this idea as the CX, CXS, CXL badges seemed to be getting boring and over-used.

            GM and Buick are very excited about this new compact luxury sedan as well they should be. The Verano has a chance to open new doors, not only at GM, but around the auto industry as a whole.

Yet Another Chevrolet Gem: 2013 Malibu

2013 Malibu

            This week’s blog update is about the all new, 2013 Chevy Malibu. Chevrolet is re-vamping its prized Malibu in early 2012 with aspirations to take on the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. This is not just a battle based out of America however; Chevrolet plans to sell the Malibu in 100 countries including 6 continents! This tells you that Chevrolet means business about their mid-size sedan. Let’s take a closer look at the new Malibu.

            The Malibu’s new body is based off of the Buick Regal and Opel Insignia, providing a sportier appeal, yet maintaining its class. I will note that the new Malibu is 4.5” shorter than the outgoing Malibu, but that does not necessarily mean there is less space inside. The interior room has actually increased by a little more than 3 cubic feet; this is possible because it’s now 2.7” wider. Relative to the 2012 Malibu, in the 2013 Malibu, there is an increase in hip and shoulder room which compensates for the slight loss of head and leg room. One of my favorite styling techniques GM and Chevy used on the exterior would have to be the tail lamps. Inspired by the Camaro, the four block tail lamps look sharp, sporty, and classy. 

            Let’s talk about the performance aspects of the new Malibu. Chevy made a bold and inspiring move with the Malibu’s engine, offering only 4 cylinder engines. The base engine will be a 2.4, 4 liter featuring eAssist (See LaCrosse blog update for information on eAssist). This engine will provide a generous 182HP. For the launch of the Malibu, this will be the only engine option, but halfway through 2012, Chevy will introduce a 2.5liter, 4 cylinder engine. Both engines will feature a six speed automatic transmission. Almost forgot to mention one of the most important parts, fuel economy: 26MPG city and 38MPG highway. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. GM is sticking with their push towards great fuel economy and their sales are rising appropriately.

            Moving on to the vast interior features available. The Malibu comes equipped with standard options such as dual zone climate control, cruise control, auxiliary inputs, and Bluetooth connectivity. My favorite standard feature would have to be the new 7” touch screen, “Chevrolet MyLink Touch Radio.” This is really a cool feature to have standard on the Malibu ECO. Through voice commands or touch control, you can control the radio, your Bluetooth connected cell phone, Pandora internet radio, CD’s, XM radio, and regular AM/FM radio. This is a really cool feature and I am ecstatic that Chevy has made it standard. Oh, and the screen folds up to reveal a convenient storage space for your phone! There are some optional features worth mentioning including: a navigation system with turn by turn navigation and a beautiful sunroof for those sunny cruising days.

            Chevy once again made the Malibu one of the safest rides on the road. With 8 airbags, yes I said 8 airbags, no miss-types there, the Malibu protects it’s passengers from every angle. Along with side and front airbags, Chevy added knee airbags for the front passengers. The Malibu’s wider wheelbase along with its steel cage, aids its strong body during collision. Like most GM vehicles, OnStar is also standard.

            Starting from 23k-25k, the 2013 Malibu is going to give the Camry and Accord a run for their money. I myself may look at the Malibu this spring when I begin new car shopping!

The Chevrolet Cruze-A Compact Winner

With gas prices remaining high and customers still wanting a fun and sporty compact car, Chevrolet’s Cruze is fulfilling everyone’s wants and needs. U.S. News and World Report has named The Cruze the “Best Compact Car for the Money” in 2012. A great award to win, beating out the popular Civic, Corolla, and Focus.

The Cruze comes available in 5 trim models, priced from lowest (16,800) to highest (23,190): LS, 1LT, ECO, 2LT, LTZ. The Cruze also offers three engines: 1.8L, 1.4L Turbo, 1.4L ECO. The 1.4L Turbo engine, which is standard on most trims, delivers the perfect combination of; fuel efficiency at 25MPG city/36MPG highway, while not missing a beat of performance with its 138HP with 148lb of torque. The Cruze is not known to be a speedster but it is considered a fun-to-drive vehicle with great handling and a sporty feel.

The Cruze is a great looking car in my opinion. Its combination of curves and sharp angles make heads turn as people look to see what kind of car just drove by. In my opinion, the available RS package really turns heads. The RS package offers unique front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, a rear spoiler, and fog lamps. At $695, I believe the RS package is worth the money. 

Cruze with Available RS Package

The Cruze’s interior is a perfect display of why this vehicle is such an exceptional purchase. Part of why reviewers are so happy with the Cruze is because of the seats; standard with Chevy’s new cloth or upgrade to the available leather, standard on 2LT and LTZ models. These seats are great quality and have been reviewed to be very comfortable and surprisingly acceptable for taller drivers. The cubic space available at 95 cubic feet in the Cruze beats the Focus, Civic, and the Corolla. The backseat is typical of a compact vehicle but it is roomy enough to fit five adults comfortably, a fifth passenger might need to be a first grader.

            The Cruze offers a variety of interior features for everyone from the tech savvy to the tech illiterate. The Cruze offers cruise control and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel which are both easy to use and convenient. The Cruze also offers an All-Star package which boasts a sunroof and premium Pioneer sound system. The Cruze’s infotainment system is also a great addition. With the ability to hook your phone or iPod up through a USB port and control it through the car controls makes driving safer and less distracting. The Bluetooth availability also makes phone calls extremely easy. 

            Safety is not ignored at all by the Cruze. Standard for six months, OnStar watches over you and helps you when need be with both safety and directions. The Cruze comes standard with 10 airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. All of this works to make the Cruze a top safety pick by the IIHS for 2012.

            Chevrolet has really created a winner in the tough compact car category with the Cruze. It’s a high quality car for a great price, something you don’t hear very often in the same sentence.

Buick is Breaking Down Age Barriers

Remember when the average age of a Buick driver was 72 years old? A study from 2011 showed that Buick had 79,000 fans on Facebook, 75% of which were under the age of 45. Also, Buick presented numbers saying that just over 60% of Regal buyers were under 55. If you look at the Buick Regal’s forums and blogs, you will see people gloating about their prized Regals. Another trend you will see is that the people gloating are generally in their twenties and thirties.

Personally, my mom (54) has a 2011 Buick Regal Turbo. I absolutely love this car and often go home for the sole purpose of driving it to the car wash and running errands for my mom just so I can drive the car. It’s not only the drive of the Regal that I love; the interior and exterior styling are quite impressive. Sadly, other people get to enjoy the exterior more than me, but I get to drive it so that’s a compromise I’m willing to accept. The Regal’s sporty exterior styling is beautiful especially with the addition of the LED daytime running lamps which give the Regal that classy exterior feel. The 18” painted alloy wheels also add a stylish touch. Enjoying the drive is only part of the experience as you sit in the Regal’s front seat. The interior has a cockpit feel that provides for a comfortable ride yet you feel like you are in your own world with the car and the pavement. In my mom’s car, she has the available satellite navigation system which helps provide both driver functionality and it also provides nice aesthetic appeal. The ability to hook up my iPod to the car and download songs to the hard drive is extremely convenient and something one would not expect from a Buick I had to upload some songs for my mom because she “Doesn’t find my music appropriate.”  If you would rather not download the music to your car, you can easily just plug in your iPod to the car using the USB port. Once this has been done you can set your iPod down and navigate throughout your iPod using the knob near the shifter. This knob is very easy to use and controls everything on the Navigation screen. 

Top notch technology and top notch styling are the driving forces for Buick vehicles today as they break down long-lasting age barriers.

Is your vehicle aging? You’re not alone.

The average age of the typical automobile on the road is at a record high of just over ten years old, yet studies show that January 2012 auto sales are expected to be at least 6% higher than January 2011 sales. For the entire year, the forecasts are expecting a jump from a 2011 number of 12.7 million cars sold (which was a 10% jump from the 2010 numbers.) to an impressive number of 13.9 million cars sold this year. It is considered to be a year of rebuilding, and that’s exactly what GM is doing not only with its revamped vehicle lineup, but over 2,000 dealerships across America are receiving an upgrade (Betten-Baker included). 

            Due to the decrease in vehicles bought and leased from 2007 to 2009, the market today for used cars is down, which is increasing trade-in values, driving customers to purchase new vehicles. I couldn’t see a better time for this to happen considering all of the new vehicles in the showrooms today. Manufacturers are also creating more fuel efficient vehicles for less money, giving customers the best of both worlds.

            There was however one benefit to the increasing age of automobiles for dealerships. The Service Departments saw a huge increase in people coming to them with their older vehicles, searching for help and replacement parts.

            Hopes are high for the automotive industry however, by 2015, 167,000 jobs are to be added which is a 28% increase over current levels. An interesting stat is that in 2009, car sales in America totaled $166 billion, while in 2011, sales totaled $206 billion.

            Coupled with the great trade-in values are new vehicle lineups which are enticing customers. Buick is revamping its entire lineup with vehicles like the sporty Regal GS and the fun Buick Verano. Chevy is remodeling almost all of their vehicles in the next two years including the popular Malibu and Silverado. Other manufacturers like Ford and Volkswagen are also obtaining all new body styles for popular cars like the Fusion and Passat. 

            I am excited about the automotive revival; the entire staff here at Betten Baker seems upbeat and excited about the new cars and we are looking forward to helping out the customers on deciding which cars best suit their needs. 

Buick LaCrosse-Everything You Want to Know!

Today’s vehicle spotlight is on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Through this post, I will cover the eAssist engine and how it works, the interior technology, safety features, and the driving experience.

Personally, when I am driving and am exceptionally bored, I watch my fuel economy gauge and see how high I can get it. In my 4-cylinder, 2,800lb Pontiac G5, I receive around 20-24MPG city (lead foot) and around 30-35MPG highway. The smart people over at GM and Buick managed to make an engine that gives a 3,800lb Buick LaCrosse 25MPG city, and 38MPG highway. But how can that be? eAssist is called by many a “mild hybrid” technology, but GM and Buick insist that the eAssist engine is no hybrid. Why use fuel when you don’t need it? This simple concept was masterminded by the people at GM and Buick and transformed into a stunning engine, providing excellent mileage and not costing an arm and a leg. The e-assist provides an electric “kick” to the power-train system during heavy acceleration and helps the engine’s transmission operate more efficiently. Most people who observe their fuel economy cringe when they see a red light; the acceleration will kill their fuel economy when it turns green. The eAssist drivers may have a different mindset though. As you begin braking for the red light, the eAssist shuts off the gas engine’s fuel consumption. Then, when you’re at a complete stop, the eAssist’s start-stop technology shuts off the engine to conserve fuel. Don’t worry though, as soon as that light turns green, the engine will be prepared for a smooth takeoff giving you a little extra power, the smart people at Buick say so! So basically, the innovative eAssist engine saves you fuel at the best times possible. I am extremely impressed with this engine enhancement and what Buick was able to do with it.

Alright, I’m done boring you about the engine, time to move on to the rest of the vehicle. Starting at $30,170 the Buick LaCrosse is a luxury sedan on the rise. Alex Nishimoto of MotorTrend Magazine said of the 2012 LaCrosse, “Buick has clearly come a long way, and the LaCrosse with eAssist is yet another vehicle that’s helping to reinvent the brand’s image. I can’t wait to see how Buick will surprise me next.” I couldn’t agree more, Alex. It’s not just the engine where Buick is impressing; the LaCrosse is equipped with some impressive technology on the interior too. Buick IntelliLink is a completely voice activated system which allows the driver to access their phone’s phonebook and access various web applications like Pandora. The IntelliLink system runs through a beautiful 7” touch-screen high definition display, so when you’re at a stoplight, you can admire it visually too.

The LaCrosse is also equipped with numerous safety provisions, helping it receive 5 out of 5 stars during government crash test ratings. Some of the safety features include: anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front seat side-impact airbags, full length side-curtain airbags, and of course the OnStar safety system. With available safety features like a rear parking camera and blind side alert, the LaCrosse is a safe machine.

Driving the LaCrosse can also be a good time. Precise steering and admirable handling are nice additions to the plush ride that the LaCrosse presents. If you’re looking for some more power though, you can take a step up from the standard 4 cylinder eAssist engine which provides 182HP, to the new 3.6 Liter, 306HP V-6 engine.

Overall, the Buick Lacrosse is an impressive vehicle which car enthusiasts are very excited about. Please feel free to comment below or contact us here at Betten Baker Chevrolet-Buick for any information!

Hey Everyone!
I plan to post some new car information on Chevrolet and Buicks every Friday along with some auto news on Wednesday.
Stay tuned!
-New Car Guy