The 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir: Redefining Affordable Luxury

Buick's strategic expansion of its premium Avenir sub-brand reached new heights with the introduction of the 2018 LaCrosse Avenir, marking the second model to receive this upscale treatment following the Enclave SUV. This move positioned Buick as a serious contender in the near-luxury sedan segment, offering discerning buyers premium features at a competitive price point.

2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4WD

$25900

Gas

73215 mi

Good Deal  

0 (5)

2025 BMW i4 xDrive40

$66295

electric

9 mi

Fair Deal  

0 (5)

2025 Cadillac CT4

$48135

Gas

0 mi

Good Deal  

0 (5)

See More

The Avenir Vision: Buick's Premium Transformation

Modeled after GMC's successful Denali sub-brand, Avenir represents Buick's ambitious push into higher-end markets. The strategy capitalizes on existing buyer behavior - industry data revealed that approximately 90% of LaCrosse customers were already selecting the top two trim levels, demonstrating clear market demand for more luxurious offerings.

2018 LaCrosse Avenir: Design and Styling Excellence

The Avenir treatment transformed the LaCrosse's appearance with several distinctive elements:

Exterior Enhancements

• Unique chrome-accented grille with intricate mesh pattern
• Signature Avenir badging on front fenders
• Standard LED lighting front and rear
• Choice of premium paint finishes including Dark Sapphire Blue and White Frost Tricoat
• 

  2019 Audi A4 Allroad

  $34000

  Gas

  52215 mi

  Good Deal  

  0 (5)

  

  2018 Dodge Challenger SXT Plus RWD

  $24950

  Gas

  37670 mi

  Fair Deal  

  0 (5)

  

  2020 Acura ILX

  $22400

  Gas

  31702 mi

  Good Deal  

  5 (5)

  See More
  
  

Interior Luxury

• Exclusive Chestnut or Ebony premium leather seating
• French-stitched instrument panel and door trim
• Real aluminum and genuine wood accents
• QuietTuning technology for library-quiet cabin
• --FIRST CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
  

Performance and Engineering

The LaCrosse Avenir didn't just look premium - it delivered enhanced performance capabilities:

Technology and Safety Innovations

The Avenir trim brought Buick's most advanced technologies as standard equipment:

BMW 2 Series

$20000

Gas

243232 mi

Fair Deal  

0 (5)

2016 Lexus ES 350

$23988

Gas

49923 mi

Very Good Deal  

0 (5)

2020 Lincoln Aviator

$36811

Gas

81310 mi

Very Good Deal  

0 (5)

See More

Infotainment Features

• 8-inch IntelliLink touchscreen with navigation
• Bose Centerpoint 11-speaker premium audio
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration

Advanced Safety Systems

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Surround Vision parking camera system

Market Position and Competitive Analysis

The LaCrosse Avenir strategically positioned itself against established luxury sedans while maintaining Buick's value proposition:

--SECOND CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--

Key Competitors

• Lexus ES 350 - More expensive base price but stronger brand cachet
• Acura RLX - Similar pricing but less distinctive styling
• Lincoln Continental - More powerful base engine but heavier weight
• Cadillac XTS - Priced higher with more performance focus

Industry analysts noted the Avenir package provided approximately 85% of the luxury features found in these competitors at 70-80% of the cost, making it an attractive alternative for value-conscious luxury buyers.

Toyota Grand Highlander

$55278

Gas

0 mi

Very Good Deal  

0 (5)

2024 Lexus GX 550

$72986

Gas

3 mi

Very Good Deal  

0 (5)

2024 Genesis G70

$54454

Gas

1568 mi

Good Deal  

0 (5)

See More

Ownership Experience and Value Proposition

Buick enhanced the Avenir ownership experience with several premium touches:

• Complimentary maintenance for the first year
• Premium roadside assistance program
• Concierge service for scheduling and reminders
• Exclusive Avenir owner events at participating dealers

Residual value projections showed the Avenir trim maintaining approximately 3-5% higher resale value than other LaCrosse trims after three years of ownership, according to ALG data.

--THIRD CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--

Critical Reception and Awards

The automotive press responded positively to Buick's upscale direction:

• Named "Best Large Car for the Money" by U.S. News & World Report
• Received J.D. Power APEAL Award for segment appeal
• Earned 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating
• Recognized by Consumer Reports for predicted reliability

Why the LaCrosse Avenir Matters for Buick

The Avenir sub-brand represented a crucial strategic move for Buick, allowing the marque to:

• Attract new buyers from luxury brands without alienating traditional customers
• Increase average transaction prices and profitability
• Test premium features and technologies for future models
• Build aspirational value in the Buick brand

Dealer reports indicated Avenir models were spending 25% less time on lots compared to standard trims, suggesting strong consumer interest in the premium package.

2023 Jaguar I-PACE

$79999

electric

43 mi

Good Deal  

0 (5)

2018 Acura ILX

$64030

Gas

45002 mi

Good Deal  

4 (5)

Chrysler Pacifica Touring L FWD

$19375

Gas

93184 mi

Good Deal  

0 (5)

See More

Legacy and Future Impact

The LaCrosse Avenir's success helped pave the way for Buick's continued premium push:

• Validated the Avenir sub-brand concept across multiple vehicle types
• Informed feature packaging for subsequent Buick models
• Demonstrated the viability of "attainable luxury" in the sedan segment
• Influenced interior material choices across the Buick lineup

While the LaCrosse would eventually be discontinued in North America, the Avenir treatment proved so successful that it became available on nearly all Buick models by the early 2020s.

--BOTTOM ADVERTISEMENT HERE--