Overview & Reviews

The Buick Lucerne was the last sedan of what we'd call traditional Buick design. Without a doubt, this front-wheel-drive, full-size car put passenger comfort as its top priority. Seating was spacious and luxurious front and rear, and Buick's "Quiet Tuning" measures, which covered everything from the thickness of the carpet padding to the design of the windshield wipers, made the Lucerne one of the quieter cars on the market. Soft suspension tuning provided a plush, absorbent ride.

Although this Buick's coddling nature was a strong attribute, consumers looking at used full-size sedans should be aware that the Lucerne has numerous faults, the main ones being a lack of desirable luxury features, sloppy handling, unimpressive V6 acceleration, subpar brakes and a dated four-speed automatic transmission. Traditional Buick buyers may be willing to overlook these faults, but otherwise we think used luxury sedan shoppers can do better with other, more highly regarded choices such as the Hyundai Genesis or Toyota Avalon.

Most Recent Buick Lucerne
The Buick Lucerne full-size sedan was produced from 2006 through 2011. Trim levels initially consisted of the CX, CXL and CXS. Powering the CX and CXL was an underwhelming 3.8-liter V6 good for just 197 horsepower. The more desirable CXS came with a 275-hp, 4.6-liter V8 that was optional for the CXL. The 4.6 could move the big sedan to 60 mph in a respectable 7.7 seconds.

The base CX was well equipped with alloy wheels, full power accessories (including driver seat), a CD player and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls among its standard features. The CXL added larger wheels, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an MP3-capable stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The CXS featured driver-seat memory, a Harman Kardon audio system, satellite radio, 18-inch wheels and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension.

The Lucerne was essentially unchanged its sophomore year, while '08 saw the debut of the Super (which replaced the CXS and offered a more powerful 292-hp V8) as well as the adoption of modern technologies such as lane departure and blind-spot warning systems.

For 2009, the 3.8-liter V6 was finally retired as the Lucerne got a new 227-hp (219 hp in California-emissions states) 3.9-liter V6. That year also saw the addition of Bluetooth connectivity. The following two years brought minor styling and equipment updates, though the final year saw stability control become standard across the board.

Mostly unchanged throughout the years, the Lucerne's cabin has a clean design with solid materials and simple, well-organized controls. Unfortunately, there are some cheaper plastics thrown into the mix, and build quality can be inconsistent.

Though the CXS and Super boast adaptive "Magnetic Ride Control" shock absorbers (that automatically firm up the suspension when the car is pushed on a curvy road), the Lucerne still won't appeal to demanding drivers. However, its comfortable cruising demeanor was hard not to like on long road trips. Braking was not one of the Lucerne's strong points, as testing revealed stopping distances that were the longest in the full-size sedan class.

User Reviews:

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  Buick is impressing us - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Al - May 27 - 9:10 pm

  This has been a great vehicle so far. After looking for several months for a replacement to our Chrysler 300 we settled on the Lucerne. We have not been disappointed. A great smooth ride and quieter than any other car in its class. I am 64" and room was important. This car gives it. The power of the Northstar is impressive without giving up too much gas mileage. It is not as responsive thru the transmission or the steering wheel as the Chrysler 300 but the ride far out weighs that loss.

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  Comfort and Class - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By frank - May 24 - 10:07 am

  Use this car as my sales office. Had a 2005 Lacross CXS, wanted a bit more room. Ride is very quiet and comfortable. Handling is what you would expect from a luxury cruiser of this size and price. The V6 is suprisingly quick and have never felt underpowered merging on the Freeway, once at cruising speed you have to watch your speed because 90 sounds and feels like 70. Memory seats, heated steering wheel and seats and very comfortable and supportive seats makes long distance drives easy. Get it with the premium sound system, worth the money.

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  Buick is Great! - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Paul - May 14 - 2:34 pm

  I purchased a Buick Lucerne in April of 2008. This is an outstanding car. If you need a full size sedan that comfortably seats 4-5 people...some of them 6 ft 6 inches tall, and rides so smooth and quiet you wonder if the car is running.. you should get this car. I have several kids in college and I have to drive them 5-7 hours one way to get them to school and visit them during the year. A comfortable roomy car was essential. None of the foreign cars could comfortably seat my son who is 66". He either hit his head on the ceiling or had no place for his legs. The Buick was perfect. Quality is outstanding. Performance is excellent even with the 6 cyl engine. Mileage is averaging 21 mpg.

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  Lucerne CXS almost perfect luxury - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By RazorBob45 - May 3 - 11:21 am

  The Lucerne CXS is a very quiet, comfortable sedan with decent handling. The ride is soft, smooth, but, predictable. We (and other riders) are impressed with GMs OnStar performance as well. Seats are comfortable and infinitely adjustable for tall or short drivers. The NorthStar V8 under the hood is a GEM, delivering quiet,smooth solid power. You get a Cadillac in sheeps clothing with the CXS. Road trips are a pleasure!

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  Better than my Cadillac - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By LCB - April 30 - 8:41 pm

  Traded in a 2004 DeVille on my 2006 CXS. Much better car, excellent build quality, superior handling and acceleration (over the Cad.) and decent gas mileage for the engine size. I average 21-22 combined city and highway. Color is maroon metallic and I have received many compliments on the carsappearance. A Mercedes owner thought it was a new model BMW!

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  Underpowered - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By david - April 24 - 2:50 pm

  The car has a great ride. It really is underpowered for its size. Tried to merge onto a highway and get out of the way of a truck almost got ran over. The standard radio is not very good either. Replaced the air filter with a k&n got 27 mpg on the highway. I liked the rain sensing wipers. They went faster or slower depending on how hard it was raining.

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  Solid cruiser - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By georgegest - April 20 - 7:03 pm

  Bought this car for my wife. I almost only drive it on long trips. It drives and handles well, rides smoothly, is quiet. Mileage isnt bad but I usually hit between 80 and 85 pretty consistently on the long trip across Texas...dull as watching paint dry. Seats are a bit snug but I have back problems and dont experience the problem of comfort some suggest. The Northstar is a good engine but this car needs another gear and it would really fly. In 18000 or so miles we have only added gas and oil changes.

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  Elegant and Reliable - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By TomL - April 11 - 1:37 pm

  Just turned 25,000 miles today. The computer says I should need my third oil change at around 30,000 miles. So far two oil changes have been 100% of all repairs and maint. Has not been to the dealer since the day I picked it up. How many Lexus owners can say that? While almost no one knows what it is (the styling is a little too bland) all agree it looks inside and out like a modern luxury sedan. Love the sound of the Northstar with dual exhaust. Even with my less than gental driving I average over 19 mpg. With $3.25 gas I guess I would probably buy the v-6 if I had to do it again however.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By jbeagle - April 4 - 3:25 pm

  Bought this as a left over and got a good deal. We replaced our 98 Regal GS with this car and have not been thrilled with the mpg. The dealer tells us everything is working fine and there is nothing to fix, the estimates are based on an outdated criteria that is not realistic. We are averaging less than 20 mpg combined highway/city. Even on long trips we do not see an appreciable gain. Otherwise the car is well made, quiet and very comfortable (bench seat in front), and at 64" that is saying something. For the first 1000 miles there was an annoying vibration int he front during breaking, but as the dealer predicted this has gone away

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  Not your daddys Buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Chasarms - April 3 - 3:43 pm

  I have been an SUV guy for a while and really shopped hard for a larger car before deciding on the Lucerne. I drove several comparably priced imports and found nothing that offered the luxury of the Lucerne as well as the roominess. I also drove a Caddy STS. A nicer car, but much more money. I found the CXS Lucerne holds its own pretty well against the Caddy. The styling is elegant inside and out without being boring or too "mature" looking. The car handles well and has plenty of power. The Northstar engine has all the pickup I could ever want. By far, a must have on this car. The ride is quiet and comfortable. I have not given anyone a ride in this car who hasnt commented positively.