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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  Love my CXS - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Sorun - April 2 - 11:40 pm

  Traded my 2003 Deville DHS for it. I like the styling, car looks nice with the 18 inchers. Ride is better than my old Deville and the seats are more comfortable also. The handling and steering are tight with the magnetic ride control and steering. The acceleration seems much better than the Deville too.

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  Luxury Cruiser - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By luxo - March 27 - 11:43 am

  What a quiet ride. When you start the engine, the growl is so calm, you have to check if its started. Love the pearly white. Also the bench seat where I stretch out and know Im not going to hit the shifter. The 3.8 liter engine is enough for me. The engine is so quiet, I caught myself on the freeway going 95 mph. Very comfortable

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  Elegant Auto - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Lynne - March 27 - 8:54 am

  I love this car. It has everything I need and is beautiful to drive and to look at. All the options are very useful and interior room and comfort are great too.

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  Very poor fuel economy - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By R. Cardiff - March 16 - 6:52 pm

  As a long time Park Ave owner, I was spoiled. This Lucerne is no Park Ave! Window sticker showed 28 mpg highway and I have not gotten close to that, 26.3 is best I have gotten and mostly 24 to 25 mpg. On the 04 Park Ave (on the same trips) I would get 31 to 32 mpg. Same engine they say but Buick says they changed the gear ratio and I ask why and get no answer. I find it difficult to get in and out of and the head room is poor. My next car will not be a Buick Lucerne, unless they improve on the fuel economy.

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  Missing Park Avenues - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Olson - February 29 - 11:57 pm

  The Lucerne is quiet, and comfortable. Its as good as any import in its class, probably better. I do miss the 30 MPG highway and 20 plus city I got with our Park Avenues with the 3.8 engine. The best so far is 27MPG freeway driving and 17 city with this CXL.

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  Not my fathers Buick - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Satisfied Owner - February 29 - 10:38 am

  This is not my fathers buick. We switched from a Mercury product due to styling, leg room, rear seat room.I am 6-6" tall and this gives me the room! We can manage about 29MPG on the open road and about 21MPG every day driving, all with regular gas! It has been mistaken for a Lexus ES350 on several occassions.

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  2008 Buick CXL - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By joe168 - February 11 - 9:44 pm

  I have owned many Buicks over the years. They have all been great cars, but this one may be the best. I love the looks, the smooth, quiet ride, and the quality finish. I have had the car for more than three months now and have driven almost 6,000 miles. I am still enjoying it.

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  Vibration to be corrected - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Ted Beernink - February 5 - 1:02 pm

  Prior to the purchase of the new 2007 Buick Allure CXL (Lucerne in the US) I noted a vibration in the steering and seat at 60 - 70 mph. I was informed by the dealer this would be taken care of. After a wheel balance and replacement of tires the vibration did not disappear. I am not satisfied after paying over $38,000.00 and expect GM to correct the problem. This is my 5th or 6th Buick purchase and I have never encountered this before. The console cup holder design inside storage storage at the back of the front seat storage has been greatly limited from previous models. The right hand windshield wiper does not clear road smudge very well. The ride is much quieter and smoother.

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  Overly sensetive accelerator - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By paul - January 29 - 11:24 am

  Since purchasing this vehicle and driving it 1500 miles the gas pedal drives me crazy. with the slighest touch the tack will jump 500 rpm and drop the same just from driving on a rough road. Cruise control on takes the problem away. dealer says buick has no fix and says it is caused by drive by wire system. I have two other cars with this system and they are OK. Rides rough on bumpy roads compared to Lexus ES330

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  Life Saving but Fishtailing - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Elizabeth Clark - January 27 - 10:56 pm

  Safety features saved my life in avoiding a sideswipe, my car fishtailed. It wasnt easy to correct very slow steering feedback. My last correction may have worked, had the steering been more responsive. All safety features & OnStar worked in my wreck & helped me whenever driving. I hit a light pole & metal fence at 60 mph. Im bruised, sore, fractured collar bone but I walked away. Compared with other cars I owned, the Lucerne wasnt as agile in handling in tight situations. Quick steering feedback is a must, or you will over correct. The 06s slight pull right ~ at least sent me into a metal fence and pole, not an embankment of trees. I had stability control and did not flip.