What happens if you drive a hybrid, but no one knows? Such is the destiny of the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist. No exterior “Hybrid!!!” badging. No green leaves or blue logos. No funny wheels. Nothing.

Moreover, opting for a hybrid sedan usually pushes you toward the top of the model range pricing (think Ford Fusion vs. Fusion Hybrid). But GM went a different direction with the LaCrosse eAssist. This hybrid replaces the previous non-hybrid 2.4-liter, 182-hp four-cylinder powertrain as the base engine in the LaCrosse and it is slightly cheaper than the 3.6-liter V6.

Maybe we’re seeing the start of mainstreaming hybrid technology. You might not seek out buying the LaCrosse to maximize your green street cred. And in fact, Buick didn’t create it to accomplish that goal. Instead, the LaCrosse is a hybrid because it provides useful technology to solve a problem. That problem: Without eAssist, the base 2.4-liter four-cylinder was outmatched in the heavy LaCrosse. Adding eAssist gives a welcome boost of power while keeping the engine relaxed and quiet—key Buick attributes.

You do lose some trunk space from the hybrid battery pack, something I found out when picking up my in-laws at the airport. One suitcase had to go in the backseat.

Called “eAssist,” this is GM’s next-generation “light” hybrid technology. Unlike “full” hybrids, such as the like in the Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ, eAssist can’t power the car on battery power alone. However, a new lithium-ion battery and other improvements should allow eAssist to, well, assist more than the previous system.

Our LaCrosse is nicely equipped. Previous experience with the base CX trim line showed that its fuzzy velour seats weren’t all that supportive or attractive, so this LaCrosse has the “leather group.” It also has the Convenience Package (auto-dim mirror, remote start, Homelink, power lumbar), power sunroof, and rear-seat air bags. Shiny refrigerator white (aka “White Diamond Tricoat”) paint added $495. All in all, after nearly $5,000 in options, our car stickered for $34,935. It is a well-trimmed car for the money, although we wish that price included the optional blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera to help the LaCrosse’s impaired driver visibility.

We’ll measure what benefits in fuel economy and performance eAssist offers after we rack up some more break-in miles and fully test this Buick.

Watch our previous Buick LaCrosse video review.