The 2015 Buick LaCrosse with the 3.6L V6 engine gets an EPA estimated 21 MPG combined. For a comfortable, near-luxury sedan, that’s adequate. This car isn’t trying to be a hybrid or the most fuel-efficient. Instead, it’s for buyers who want a smooth ride, quiet interior, and good handling, and are okay with average fuel consumption.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2015 LaCrosse 3.6L gets 18 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The city number shows what happens in stop-and-go traffic, where the LaCrosse’s weight and engine size matter. The highway number is better and attainable if you drive at consistent speeds and don’t accelerate hard. The six-speed automatic transmission tries to maximize efficiency, but the V6 still needs to work harder when merging and passing compared to turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Buick LaCrosse 3.6L is $2,100. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices at the time of testing. Your fuel costs could be different based on your driving, local fuel prices, and how much you drive in the city versus on the highway. This cost is something LaCrosse buyers should consider.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a guide, but real-world fuel economy can change a lot. If you accelerate fast often or drive mostly in city traffic, you’ll probably see numbers near or below 18 MPG. On the other hand, if you mostly drive on the highway at steady speeds and drive efficiently, you might get more than 28 MPG. How you drive will affect your fuel economy in the LaCrosse.

How it compares

How does the 2015 LaCrosse 3.6L compare to other cars? The Toyota Avalon, known as reliable and spacious, gets a slightly better 24 MPG combined with its V6 engine. The Chrysler 300 with its 3.6L V6 often gets around 23 MPG combined. Even other GM cars gave choices; the Chevy Impala, a similar size, had an optional 3.6L V6 and was rated at 22 MPG combined. These small differences probably won’t change a LaCrosse buyer’s mind, but they should know that more efficient choices exist if saving gas is very important. Before deciding, check all Buick fuel economy data and the LACROSSE MPG across all years to fully understand your choices.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid accelerating fast. The LaCrosse’s 3.6L V6 responds well, but driving with a heavy foot will lower fuel economy. Accelerate gently, letting the transmission shift at lower RPMs to help improve efficiency, especially in the city.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check tire pressures often and inflate them to what the manufacturer recommends, located on the door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

Don’t idle too much. Idling wastes fuel. If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern cars restart quickly and efficiently, making this an easy way to save fuel.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control keeps a consistent speed on the highway to help optimize fuel economy. Avoid changing speeds often, which wastes fuel, and try to anticipate traffic to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration.

Reduce extra weight. Carrying extra weight in the trunk or cabin makes the engine work harder, reducing fuel economy. Remove anything you don’t need to lighten the load and improve efficiency. You will be surprised how much of a difference it makes to your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.