Beijing '08 Preview: Buick unveils updated 2009 Excelle for China
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Buick Excelle
Long-time readers of Autoblog will recall occasional mentions of the Buick Excelle, a small but luxuriously appointed Buick that's only sold in China. It's what the Cadillac Cimarron never was, and the Chinese love it. The little Buick that could is getting updated for 2009 and will make its debut to the Chinese people at the Beijing Motor Show in a couple of weeks. It features a facelift that brings its visiage more in-line with the flagship model for Buick in China, the Holden Statesman-based Park Avenue. While much smaller, the Excelle does give off an air of richness that's surprising considering its underpinnings. It's based on the Chevy/Daewoo Lacetti platform, which also happens to underpin the Suzuki Reno in the U.S. Small world, huh? Changes to the Excelle's exterior appear to include a few extra creases up front, an updated rear end with some nice sculpting around the shoulder line and an improved interior. As good as the Excelle appears, though, we're not sure U.S. consumers are quite ready for a Buick like this.
Gallery: 2009 Buick Excelle
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
john 12:11PM (4/04/2008)
I would buy this over the La Crosse.
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Dave 8:34AM (4/05/2008)
The Lacrosse is a pretty nice car so I would have to see more of this car to make a decision over the two. It does look smaller, a more practical size. With Buick's reputation for reliability and longevity this car could do well here in the U.S.
chris 12:19PM (4/04/2008)
Looks a bit like a Merc. No?
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ed 12:23PM (4/04/2008)
Yup, US buyers are not used to a Buick like this. We don't associate good build quality, style, and an ergonomic interior with Buick.
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tanooki2003 12:31PM (4/04/2008)
Yep you are right. Every time I hear the brand Buick I think of the "typical GM quality" (which is not good) floaty boaty cloud like ride which can't handle a sharp turn at 30MPh without squealing excessive body roll. You know the typical big old fart car that is meant to be driven slowly.
I now use the term "Buickey" to explain what i have stated above. I honestly cannot see me changing my opinion of any american built Buicks because to me they really have not changed that much except for GM dressing the same old cars with a prettier skirt (body panels). Even fanboys of Buick have failed miserably to convince me how much better they are, especially after i have thoroughly tested many of the current models.
tanooki2003 12:23PM (4/04/2008)
I thought this car was supposed to underpin the Suzuki Forenza
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Jruhi4 12:37PM (4/04/2008)
Correct. It's actually a gussied-up Suzuki Forenza, not a Reno.
500 12:27PM (4/04/2008)
A Suzuki (Daewoo) with a Buick grille. No thanks.
Now give me a new RWD Regal/Grand National, or heck even the Chinese Park Avenue, and now we're talking.
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Eric Elinow 2:08PM (4/04/2008)
To those who quickly point out that the Suzuki is a Daewoo:
I will point out that Daewoo has used (almost exclusively sans a few models), but specifically these (the Reno, Forenza, etc) Holden Built, Opel Engines.
They are the all Iron EcoTec II's from Europe. Opel engines have powered almost all Daewoo's since the early 70's. The automatic transmissions are ZF made, and the Manuals are Getrag boxes. The bodies are almost always designed in Italy, mostly by ItalDesign.
These are the same engines used heavily in Opels and Vauxhalls through the 80's, 90's and early 2000's. They even powered the Opel Omega in base form (which Americans would know as the Catera from Cadillac, which only utilised a 3.0 v6).
Just setting the record straight.
Xcountryflyer 12:34PM (4/04/2008)
Buicks in China are much more interesting than ours. It wouldn't be a good Buick here, but it might be a interesting for another division.
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Justin 12:36PM (4/04/2008)
Sorry but the interior doesn't look upscale at all, the black dash trim mixed with the rest of the tan looks bad. The exterior is about as bland as it gets, I would take the exterior of a Lacrosse over this any day.
And the steering wheel looks like they took my 18 yr old accord's wheel and put a dark buick logo on it.
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Dance Lady 12:47PM (4/04/2008)
Am I the only one who thinks this car looks a bit like a Mercedes?
http://www.i-guide.ro
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TriShield 1:06PM (4/04/2008)
It's a gross car that we don't want on our shores. No thanks.
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Gregg 1:30PM (4/04/2008)
This is exactly what Buick needs here now. They only have three models to sell here (Enclave, LaCrosse and Lucerne). Adding a smaller and more fuel efficient model with some Buick "style" as gas is going to $4 and beyond would be a good move for this dying American division of GM. Buick does great in China, and could do better here.
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Nick 1:46PM (4/04/2008)
The front end reminds me a little bit of the 4th-generation Mercury Sables. Overall I think it looks pretty nice - especially the interior.
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Wildgoosechase73 4:40PM (4/04/2008)
Americans may not be ready for this as a Buick, but they don't really hae choice come 2012 when the CAFE numbers get raised.
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whofan 7:48PM (4/04/2008)
Looks like a cheap Hyundai with a buick face. NO thanks!
Sorry but I`d take an American Buick Lucerne of LaCrosse over this anyday.
Remember Buick is GM`s semi luxery division.
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Ray 10:19PM (4/04/2008)
Let's say they take that nice interior design, make it upscale and put it into a car like the LaCrosse. At least it looks like someone over there is paying attention to interior design.
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Juan 1:37PM (4/05/2008)
With gas prices quickly approaching $4/gal, a baby Buick may not be such a bad idea. Maybe not this one exactly, but the idea doesn't seem too bad. A compact-luxury "Buick" would probably sell better than a compact Caddy as that's supposed to be the BMW fighter...
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Cire 2:38PM (4/05/2008)
I don't believe a rebadged Suzuki Forenza is what Buick needs in the U.S. right now. No matter what improvements have been made to this car, all I see is an inexpensive Suzuki (Daewoo) product. Buick is supposed to be a premium GM division; I think they deserve something much better than this. I would rather see Buick build an Acura TSX fighter on a shortened Epsilon II platform. I have previously read that Bob Lutz claimed that this platform is flexible enough to underpin vehicles that are both smaller and larger than the current midsize Epsilon products. Why not give Buick a true premium compact FWD sedan (and maybe coupe) built off a platform that is a little more upscale than the Delta platform utilized by Chevy, Opel, and Saturn?