Detroit: LaCrosse Boosts Buick Brand: AWD luxury sedan a show stopper

Much gab and speculation is circling around the downsizing of General Motors. If a brand disappears, which will it be? Will it be Buick? Look at the all-new LaCrosse CXS, and we think not. Some say it's a Lexus look-alike. Is that a bad thing or good? We don't see the resemblance. What we see rather are the classic Buick portholes and the serenity of the waterfall grille - a sensuous look without being snooty.

The Buick nameplate is a solid seller in the US, and a stellar chart-topper in China. Buick will not go away. Buick will be a global brand. Case in point, the interior of this new LaCrosse is designed in China at the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center and the exterior at the United States design center.

Its big sister, the Buick Lucerne, is a car I picked for my stable. If you know the value of eating smoked salmon and pâté for breakfast for the price of oatmeal, you will understand why. Many don't know about this car because they never bothered to take it for a cruise. The Enclave, Buick's Sport Utility is another case in point.

So, back to the LaCrosse. As many of us in northern climates are digging out of another snowy blast, the 2010 Lacrosse's addition of all-wheel-drive is an important feature. The sure-footed feeling can be a calming influence when you have kids strapped in the back seat or are taking your elderly neighbor for groceries on an icy day.

In the summer, the power rear-window sunshade and DVD entertainment system in the seatbacks will keep the munchkins occupied. When you are done with errands for the loved ones in your life, the audio input or USB port allows you to plug in your own music for a moment of Zen. In-dash navigation is also a nice option when you are meeting friends for lunch at a new restaurant.

The perks include adaptive lighting for a 360 degree field of vision when you are behind the wheel. We see other benefits. If you've ever looked for a cat that won't come in for the night, you can direct the high-intensity discharge headlight beams up to 15 degrees for enhanced illumination to pick up those cat eyes. Also, when arriving home late, you can avoid basketballs, hockey nets and other sports gear left in a cul-de-sac or driveway.

The interior appears to be good quality; however, the lay-out and gadgetry may take an adjustment for the new owner. The only way to find out if it feels right is to drive it around town and on the highway.

The 2010 LaCrosse will be offered in three models - CX, CXL and CXS and two different engine configurations, a 3.0-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission or the 3.6-liter. Both are direct injection engines, which should save you a little on fuel consumption and emissions.

The LaCrosse will be assembled in Kansas City, Kansas. Aunty Em, Toto and Dorothy, this is worth a test drive when the wizards of oz deliver the LaCrosse to a dealership near you this summer.