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I have to admit that when I previously thought of cars I would like to see in my garage, a Buick never crossed my mind.

That was until last week when I had an opportunity to test drive the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The ride was smooth, its lines are sleek and this vehicle is loaded with the kind of technology that those of us who are hooked on electronics have come to expect.

First the stats: the 2010 LaCrosse is a six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive car with either a 3.0L direct injection or a 3.6L direct injection engines, rack and pinion steering, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and Stabilitrak (stability enhancement system). General Motors estimates that it gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

As a suburban mom, what matters to me is safety, the perks and who and what am I able to transport with me. While I did the test drive solo, I did check out the back seat, which offered plenty of room for my teen and her friends or my cronies. And an inspection of the trunk left me satisfied that I would be able to easily tote a week’s worth of groceries, vacation gear or all the luggage my family of three might care to carry for a weeklong getaway.

While I sat in the LaCrosse marveling at the sleek and cozy design of the console and cabin, I was pleased to know that dual-stage front and side impact airbags as well as head curtain airbags are standard with this car.

I was not able to test drive the vehicle under all the conditions that I would like: nighttime, highway, over neighborhood speed bumps in Stone Mountain, dodging other vehicles in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Decatur, etc., but for a quick drive around Atlantic Station I was able to surmise that it handles beautifully, has a solid and exceptionally quiet ride.

Three versions of the vehicle (CX, CXL and CXS) offer an array of standard and optional high-tech features, including a radar-equipped side blind zone sensing system (warning alert flashes on side view mirror), ultrasonic rear parking assist (beeps when vehicle’s rear is within eight feet of an object) and a rearview camera system. Other features include a DVD entertainment system, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth, OnStar and a navigation system. Buyers have six packages (comfort and convenience, luxury, entertainment, etc.) to choose from with an assortment of features.

I’m sure there’s a bit of a learning curve to adjust to all this technology. I needed some assistance from a Buick overseer to even get out of the parking lot as the LaCrosse I drove had remote keyless entry and remote push-button start that engaged with a tap of the brake. Who knew?

Fluid lines inside and out give the LaCrosse an appealing look from either vantage point. I found the ice blue ambient light, arcing lines and wood of the interior console of the model I drove most appealing. In the short time I was at the wheel, I couldn’t find a fault.

The price for the LaCrosse begins at $27,085 for the CX, $29,645 for the CXL and $33,015 for the CXS.