Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 and wearing Goodyear Integrity 225/60R16 tires, the LaCrosse CX starts at $23,495 (including a $660 destination charge) and offers the usual gamut of premium car features, such as keyless entry and power windows, door locks, and mirrors, yet also adds an OnStar telematics system with voice-activated controls and an interior trimmed in chrome and fake wood. In addition to OnStar, other standard items found on the 2005 Buick LaCrosse and absent on various competitors are automatic headlights, a stereo equalizer, and a power trunk opener.

Interesting is the Buick’s lack of standard antilock brakes, a safety component that is common on much lesser cars but optional on the CX. Other options include side curtain airbags; traction control; a trip computer with compass; a front split bench seat that increases capacity to six passengers; a folding rear seat; a power moonroof; and various audio systems that offer XM satellite radio, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, and an MP3 player. There are also a number of package groups, such as the Silver Convenience package with a remote ignition system, driver memory settings, and a telescopic steering wheel.

One step up is the 2005 Buick LaCrosse CXL, with a starting price of $25,995. Additional standard features for the CXL include dual-zone climate control, a compass, driver memory settings, driver power lumbar support, and leather seats. Also added is a folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped telescopic steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a trip computer. Options include a power passenger seat, antilock brakes, traction control, heated front seats, 16-inch chrome alloy wheels, and chrome exterior accents on the bumpers and side moldings. Also offered are power heated rearview mirrors, a rear parking aid and a Homelink universal garage door opener, all part of the Gold Convenience package.

At the pinnacle of LaCrosse’s range is the CXS, and buyers of this model will start the bidding at $28,995. In exchange for that extra green Buick packs the CXS with a more powerful and sophisticated 3.6-liter V6 engine, front fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/55R17 Goodyear Eagle LS tires, and a sport-tuned suspension. Ah, but there’s more, like the safety that comes with standard four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, and electronic brake force distribution. As with the CX and CXL models, side curtain airbags are optional, but the CXS adds to the list 17-inch chrome alloy wheels and a stability control system.

Our editors spent a week piloting a 2005 Buick LaCrosse CXS over the wet and muddy roads of southern California. Equipped with all of the options, our tester busted the scales at about $33,000. That price struck us as steep for what we were driving. However, drop some of the options, bring the final tally back into the $20s, and an argument can be made for the CXS. The CX doesn’t offer a great deal of equipment, and suffers without standard antilock brakes. The CXL adds some nice features, but for a few dollars more per month, shoppers intent on buying a Buick LaCrosse can get a better engine, standard antilock brakes and traction control, as well as the option of stability control in the CXS.