Buick LaCrosse

Mild Hybrid, Sedan

Price Range: $31,000 – $34,300
City/Hwy/Combined MPG: 25/36/29
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,950
Air Pollution Score: 6
Greenhouse Gas Score: 7
ACEEE Green Score and Class Ranking: 44/Above Average
Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick; 5-star NHTSA rating
Space: 101.6 cu. ft. p.v./seats 5
Drive Score: 3
Similar Used: Redesigned for 2012

Good to Know:

• The 4-cylinder version of the 2012 LaCrosse comes standard with eAssist, a fuel-saving, mild-hybrid system.
• GM’s “eAssist” is one example of “mild hybrid” technology. It completely shuts off gas to the engine when it’s not needed. A small motor and an extra battery restart the engine as soon as you take your foot off the brake.
• The LaCrosse with eAssist is among the most fuel-efficient large sedans on the market. It is 25 percent more fuel efficient than the previous 4-cylinder version, and nearly 40 percent more efficient than the V6 model. The V6 model offers 23 more horsepower than the eAssist version.
• Over the past decade, the average age of a Buick buyer has dropped from 72 years old to the late 50s.

What the Press Says:

• “The system works so smoothly few will notice. … There will be customers who never realize exactly how gasoline-frugal their car is or that this car is acting like a hybrid in many ways.” — Cars.com
• “The eAssist driving experience is best described as ‘transparent.’ … You barely notice the engine shutting down during stops and it restarts without the shudder typical of some hybrids when the light turns green.” — Kelley Blue Book
• “The bottom line here is that the eAssist LaCrosse is an impressively fuel-efficient five-passenger luxury car.” — Green Car Journal

Buick Regal (With eAssist)

Mild Hybrid, Sedan

Price Range: $29,900 – $30,700
City/Hwy/Combined MPG: 25/36/29
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,950
Air Pollution Score: 6
Greenhouse Gas Score: 7
ACEEE Green Score and Class Ranking: 44/Above Average
Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick; N/A
Space: 98.61 cu. ft. p.v./seats 5
Drive Score: 3
Similar Used: eAssist option is new for 2012

Good to Know:

• eAssist shuts off the engine when it’s not needed — such as when coasting or stopped at a red light. The system uses a small lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor to boost power and smoothly restart the Regal’s engine.
• General Motors discontinued the previous year’s cheaper, 4-cylinder model because of the eAssist model’s superior fuel economy.
• eAssist provides about 20 percent improvement in fuel economy at a price premium of roughly 10 percent.
• The eAssist Regal is outperformed by some mid-size hybrids in its class in both power and fuel economy. Still, the Regal with eAssist is among the most efficient and affordable non-hybrid upscale sedans.
• For 2013, Buick will offer eAssist standard in the 4-cylinder, base-model Regal.

What the Press Says:

• “The 2012 Buick Regal sedan is definitely not your grandmother’s Regal. In fact, Buick has built a mid-size sport sedan so sleek, so alluring, it has on numerous occasions inspired attempts among our test staff to steal the car away for an extra night or two.” — Kelley Blue Book
• “Like the LaCrosse, the Regal eAssist uses a small, 15-horsepower electric motor to give assistance during acceleration, and when combined with things such as regenerative braking and automatic start/stop, it means a substantial increase in fuel economy. It’s not exactly as impressive as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but still quite good when you consider that the standard Regal only musters up 19/30 mpg ratings.” — AutoblogGreen

More 2012 green cars: Find details about many more green cars from other automakers in The Ultimate Green Car Buyer’s Guide, 2012.

Photos from Buick