Two weeks ago I wrote about GM's "May the Best Car Win" ad campaign, in which Ed Whitacre states, "Car for car, when compared to the competition, we win."
I questioned the accuracy of that claim, but in these last two weeks I've driven two all-new GM products, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.
My experiences have confirmed GM unequivocally is making better cars today than it was just a couple years ago. Are they making "...the best cars..." that will "win" in today's ultra competitive market? Well...
My first experience in new GM product came in the Chevrolet Equinox. This car is a quantam leap forward for GM's midsize crossover efforts. The exterior styling may be a bit polarizing (I personally like it), yet in terms of comfort, control layout, interior quality, fuel efficiency and overall driving dynamics the Equinox is right there with the segment leaders.
Is it "the best car" in it's class? Close, but the Equinox we drove had an easily confounded transmission that would, literally, lock up depending on how much throttle you gave it and/or if the wheels were pointed straight or turned at the time. I'd like to think it was a quirk of our particular pre-production test car, but there's a pattern here (more on this in a moment).
However, if you ignore the transmission and write it off as a pre-production quirk the car is a worthy alternative to segment sales leaders like the CR-V and RAV4. Not the clear winner, but fully competitive.
My next all-new GM product experience came in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse over this past weekend. I'd heard good things about the LaCrosse from both fellow staffers and numerous published road tests, so I was anxious to experience the car myself. And knowing it was not a pre-production vehicle had me convinced I'd get a solid sense of how good the new Buick really is.
Within a few minutes of leaving the Edmunds.com offices it was clear something was amiss in front wheel area. Flat spotted tires? Major wheel imbalance? Faulty steering linkage? Don't know, but the speed-dependent wobble in the steering wheel was unmistakable. It was at its worst right after I started driving the LaCrosse home and gradually diminished over the next 50 miles, suggesting the flat-spotted tire scenario. However, while the vibration diminished it never completely went away after driving the car for 250 miles over the course of four days.
This was a subtle vibration (after it diminished a bit) and one many customers might not even notice. But for a car, and a division, trying to copete with the likes of Lexus (and using terms like "quiet tuning") it's doesn't help make Mr. Whitacre's claim.
I was prepared to write the steering wheel vibration off as (another) test car quirk and not count it against the Buick. On my 50-mile drive home I basked in the LaCrosse's excellent iPhone interface, capable audio system, roomy interior and comfortable seating. By the time I pulled into the driveway and shut the car off I was starting to think GM had a definite player on its hands.
Then the car wouldn't let me out.
I pulled on the LaCrosse's interior door release and nothing happened. I pulled again. Nothing. I checked the lock plunger at the top of the door and it looked to be in the "up" position, but I hit the key fob's lock/unlock buttons and watched it go down and up, just to be sure. The car still wouldn't let me out.
Next I checked the ignition status to confirm it was off (the LaCrosse uses a push-button start system instead of a key). A car shouldn't have to be completely shut off before it lets you out, but whatever. The ignition seemed to be in the off mode, but I started and stopped the engine again just to be sure. Still nothing. I pulled the door release again and shoved my body against it. Nothing.
Finally I hit the electric lock and unlock bottons on the keyfob (again) and started and stopped the engine (again). The first pull on the door release did nothing (and yes, it was already unlocked), but the second one popped the door open as if nothing was ever wrong. I was free!!
The whole process couldn't have taken more than a minute. The LaCrosse uses an electronic door release mechanism and clearly the sensor for the interior release is faulty. It was mildly annoying, but I wrote it off as (another) quirk and almost forgot about it.
The next day, as I drove into work, I got an opportunity to pass a vehicle on Malibu Canyon Road. The passing zones are pretty short on this road, but one opened up and I floored the throttle. The transmission completely froze for about a second, then I heard it downshifting and the car was just about to launch forward (at least two seconds after flooring it) before I lost confidence in the manuever and backed off the throttle.
I got to work still generally impressed with the vehicle overall...and the car wouldn't let me out again. I went through all of the above actions again...and again...and again. After about two minutes of failing to open the driver's door I climbed over the center console and got out on the passenger side. It happened again when I got home that night, but by now I'd come up with a new exit method that proved effective and less physically demanding: lower the driver's window, reach out and pull on the exterior door release.
Okay, so if the Equinox's transmission confusion was a pre-production quirk, what's up with the LaCrosse transmission? Another quirk unique to the test car? Maybe, but our other test car had the same issue. Our long-term Pontiac G8 freaked out more than once when I floored it, too (which is weird because that rear-wheel-drive car's transmission has nothing in common with the Equinox of LaCrosse). Of course our last LaCrosse didn't occasionally hold drivers hostage, and nobody complained of steering wheel virbration, so maybe my test car really was cursed.
I'll be honest, I really want GM to make cars that win its self-imposed "May the best car win" challenge.
And the newest models almost can. But after the past 30 years (not to mention the past 12 months) GM can't "almost" win, they have to surpass the competition so convincingly that potential buyers will forget the past (distant and recent).
I like the new Equinox and the LaCrosse. But, based on my personal experiences, I'm still not convinced.
Have you driven the newest GM product, and if so, are you?
By jdub53084
on October 6, 2009
05:21 AM
I'm not convinced that GM doesn't make a good car based on one problem on a pre-production car that is not for sale to the general public and transmissions that are calibrated across the board for maximum fuel economy.
By 1487
on October 6, 2009
05:51 AM
There is no such thing as a clear benchmark vehicle in today's competitive market. Its time to accept that and move on. Cars are very similar so your decision comes down to styling, incentives, a few key features, warranty, etc. Saying that Gm's vehicles are "competitive, but not yet class leading" is pointless because you could say the same about most cars from most top automakers. Are Toyota's models aside from the Prius class leading? no. Honda's? No. GM's point is that if you compare their vehicles head to head you wont find any compelling reason to chose the competition. If the GM models has better styling, better value, better warranty Onstar, etc. that may be enough to convince many people. even if the Lacrosse has a slightly less smooth tranny than the Lexus is also has more features, more rear room, a better interior and a $4k lower price tag. Just note Toyota nor Honda are running any ads that say "may the best car win" and there is a reason for that. The customers Toyota and Honda love most are those who don't check out the competition. If every camry/Accord owner test drove a Fusion or MAlibu before they made the purchase you can rest assured the two American cars would be doing much better in the market. Ignorance is the best ally of Toyota and Honda at this point.
As for the Lacrosse- never read about these issues on any other test car in any publication.
By brett8210
on October 6, 2009
08:03 AM
What engine did your copy of Equinox have? I sat in one at the Texas State Fair last weekend. I was generally impressed with the interior materials and the exterior styling. I thought it looked better in person than in the pictures. However, the version I sat in was loaded with all the optional equipment and was priced at $32,000.00 with the four cylinder engine. This CUV is around 4000 lbs with a four cylinder (admittedly well powered). Therefore, I am wondering how it performs in real world use, not the strict 0-60 times.
Is the 6 cylinder a must for this car?
By 1487
on October 6, 2009
08:09 AM
Brett:
No its not a must. Why? the best selling CR-V needs about 9.5 secs to hit 60mph. Most people in this segment do not care about acceleration. If they did the CR-V would be a failure.
There have been other complaints about the tranny but supposedly a reflash has been done to smooth it out. Nothing shocking for a first year model. These new transmissions are reluctant to downshift to increase economy. The guy from USA today (who dislikes most domestics) said he wouldn't recommend it based on the tranny alone. Most reviews have noted it as a minor issue.
By blackadder5639
on October 6, 2009
10:21 AM
It appears that GM has had issues with their automatic transmissions since the Buick Enclave, which was released in 2008 or so. It's about time they fixed it.
By vvk
on October 6, 2009
12:51 PM
Wow, that sounds very dangerous. Does the new LaCrosse really have an electronic door release? What if you have an accident and the battery malfunctions? What if you are under water? What if the car is on fire? I would not want to have an electronic door release in my car.
By editor_karl
on October 6, 2009
01:08 PM
vvk, you seem to be suggesting that switching a basic vehicle function from mechanical to electrical opens up the possibility of catastrophic failure because no physical alternative exists to get the job done if (when?) the electronics fail.
Inconceivable!
By estreka
on October 6, 2009
02:12 PM
Despite these serious issues (and the door is VERY serious), I'm not ready to give up on GM. I'm more impressed than disappointed. Thing is, Ford has done all this and more...without bankruptcy!
By esbn
on October 6, 2009
02:56 PM
Maybe Honda and Toyota are not running "may the best car win "ads becasue they do not need to. Car buyers are a "what have you done to me lately" group. If you give them a crappy product that does not run well it will not get bought again. Accord, Camry, Civic and even Silverado and F-150 buyers comeback again and again becasue of the percieved quality and dependability
By pflyer
on October 6, 2009
04:04 PM
Karl,
Let's chalk up the LaCrosse foibles you suffered to early or pre-production vehicles. GM makes a good car and I am sure they will sort out the LaCrosse
My question is: With a MSRP I am guessing in the mid 30's, is this car worth it, in your opinion? There are some great cars that are in that neighborhood. I have my doubts, although it does look in the dealership.
By savetheland
on October 6, 2009
06:07 PM
Karl the article contains only early production issues which is nothing new and not interesting. I can underatand your frustration but I would expect it from CR but not from you. Every new car has issues. I remeber new Toyota Camry had jerky AT that get people scared and Honda Accord had faulty AT too.
But you did not cover the impressions which really are interesting like how car drives and handles, steering feel, braking, interior layout and so on. Do you have any impressions or only thing you noticed were faulty door handle and late downshift - in fact in modern cars AT goes through learning cycle first 200 miles. If you as an example disconnect battery - transmission may behave erratically (actually differently than you used to) before relearning you driving habits.
By 1487
on October 7, 2009
05:39 AM
"Maybe Honda and Toyota are not running "may the best car win "ads becasue they do not need to. Car buyers are a "what have you done to me lately" group. If you give them a crappy product that does not run well it will not get bought again. Accord, Camry, Civic and even Silverado and F-150 buyers comeback again and again becasue of the percieved quality and dependability"
Or its because they have no interest in comparing their vehicles to the others. As i said there is a reason for that. They capitlize on ignorance and their reputation. The actual product is average in most cases and they know this. This is why all current Toyota and Honda advertising focuses on quality and not the actual products. Pay attention.
How would you know what other automakers have done lately if you haven't owned anything but Toyota or Honda for the last 25 years. A lot changes in 25 years.
By chavis10
on October 7, 2009
12:16 PM
I drove (briefly) a loaded LaCross CXS and didn't have any issue- transmission or otherwise. The transmission issues that Karl notes are indeed frustrating because my car is a terrible tranmission- well not the unit itself but the logic. Hit gas- nothing happens, then BANG! comes the downshift. Very unpredictable. BTW- my car is made in Hiroshima, Japan.
I will say this as far as GM is concerned, their 4 spd automatics perform much better than the 6 spds. The truth of the matter is that GM's new vehicles are porkers so the tranmission is trying its best to get the most economy out of engine but it's an uphill battle.
As far as the "class leaders" are concerned, I don't see ONE particular vehicle in the Equinox's class that is the best. CR-V is slow, boring and generic (typical Honda product). The RAV4 is fast in V6 trim but lacks premium features, has a cheap unattractive dash and that stupid rear mounted spare tire with a wrong way opening tailgate. The Rouge is well....
The LaCrosse is one nice car- the exterior is much more expressive than the ES and it stacks nicely against all the other players. The ES is old so it's no suprise it's a bit behind in terms of features.
By aurakr
on October 7, 2009
04:10 PM
One comment about the 6 speed transmission.
The learning mode lasts for 1000 miles, not 200 as listed. I bought my Aura XR January 2007. The transmission does actually learn over those first 1000 miles.
I have heard that reflashes have helped other owners, but I have yet to have had it done. I think that the programming is definitely biased toward economy.
The 4 speeds respond quicker, but I still prefer the 6 speeds. I have noticed that on long trips, the response times seems to improve in hilly areas.
By 1487
on October 8, 2009
06:25 AM
reluctance to downshift seems to be the wave of the future as cars get heavier and automakers strive for greater fuel efficiency. Gearing is not optimal for performance or smoothness in many modern cars. Supposedly Ford's versions of the FWD 6 speed are smoother shifting than GM's.