Battle of the best sedans: buick lacrosse vs nissan altima – your perfect choice revealed

The Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Altima are two popular midsize sedans that offer a blend of comfort, performance, and style. However, each vehicle has its unique strengths and weaknesses, making it essential to compare them thoroughly before making a purchasing decision. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into every aspect of the Buick Lacrosse vs Nissan Altima matchup to help you make an informed choice.

Performance and Handling

Under the hood, the Buick Lacrosse offers a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 194 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 310 horsepower. The Nissan Altima, on the other hand, comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 188 horsepower, with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 248 horsepower available as an option.

In terms of handling, both the Lacrosse and Altima provide a comfortable and stable ride. However, the Lacrosse has a slightly firmer suspension setup, resulting in better cornering and handling capabilities, especially on winding roads.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, both the Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Altima offer spacious and well-appointed cabins. The Lacrosse features a luxurious interior with premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. It also boasts a larger trunk capacity of 15 cubic feet compared to the Altima’s 14.3 cubic feet.

In terms of comfort, both vehicles offer supportive seats and ample legroom. The Altima, however, has a slightly more comfortable ride due to its softer suspension setup.

Technology and Features

The Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Altima come equipped with a range of advanced technology features. The Lacrosse features the Buick Infotainment System with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a premium Bose audio system. The Altima also offers a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system.

In terms of safety features, the Lacrosse comes standard with a comprehensive suite of airbags, traction control, and stability control. The Altima also offers a similar range of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

Fuel Economy

Fuel efficiency is an important consideration when comparing midsize sedans. The Buick Lacrosse with the 2.5-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The 3.6-liter V6 version gets 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine delivers an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine gets 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Price and Value

The Buick Lacrosse has a starting price of around $28,000, while the Nissan Altima starts at approximately $25,000. For the price, the Lacrosse offers a more luxurious interior, a more powerful engine (in the V6 version), and a larger trunk capacity. The Altima, on the other hand, provides better fuel economy, a more comfortable ride, and a lower starting price.

Which One is Right for You?

Ultimately, the choice between the Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Altima depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you value luxury, performance, and a spacious cabin, the Lacrosse is a great option. However, if fuel economy, comfort, and affordability are your top concerns, the Altima may be a more suitable choice.

Alternatives to Consider

In addition to the Buick Lacrosse and Nissan Altima, there are several other midsize sedans worth considering:

• Honda Accord: Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and spacious interior.
• Toyota Camry: Another highly reliable and fuel-efficient sedan with a comfortable ride.
• Kia K5: A sporty and stylish sedan with a well-equipped interior and advanced technology features.
• Hyundai Sonata: A value-packed sedan with a spacious cabin, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a long warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which vehicle has a more powerful engine?
The Buick Lacrosse with the 3.6-liter V6 engine has a more powerful engine than the Nissan Altima.

2. Which sedan has a larger trunk?
The Buick Lacrosse has a larger trunk capacity (15 cubic feet) than the Nissan Altima (14.3 cubic feet).

3. Which vehicle offers better fuel economy?
The Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine offers better fuel economy than the Buick Lacrosse with the 2.5-liter engine.

4. Which sedan has a more comfortable ride?
The Nissan Altima has a slightly more comfortable ride due to its softer suspension setup.

5. Which vehicle has a better infotainment system?
The Buick Lacrosse has a slightly better infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and a premium Bose audio system.