For 2008, the waterfall grille grows in size to resemble that of the new Buick Enclave (a cue introduced on the 2004 Buick Velite show car). The hood and front fascia are slightly revised for 2008.

At the rear, tiny rear side windows behind the C-pillars add some visual interest, while a discernible dent in the decklid ties the taillamps together and recalls the more adventurous surface development that characterized Buicks of the early 1960s. A single, slender chrome spear decorates the doors. XM satellite radio shares a single antenna with the standard OnStar system.

CX models can be identified by a grained, graphite-color finish on the rocker panels underneath the doors, while this panel is body color on other models. Otherwise, the base CX has almost no decoration at all, beyond the bolt-on faux alloy covers for its 16-inch steel wheels.

The Super model has several distinguishing characteristics, including Buick's trademark front fender portholes (four per side, one for each cylinder), flared rocker panels, rear decklid spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, and a different lower fascia in the rear.

The LaCrosse's construction quality looks good. The body, door, and fender gaps are all noticeably smaller than on the previous Regal and Century models. And LaCrosse's headlamps are said to be 35-percent brighter.

To improve crash safety and reduce noise, Buick uses generous amounts of expensive, high-strength steel, including steel reinforcements in the rocker panels, high-strength steel door beams, and a double-thick Quiet Steel floor pan and firewall. There's also an interlocking door latch system, a magnesium cross beam behind the instrument panel, another cross beam behind the rear seats, and structural foam in the front fenders.