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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  This is not your fathers Buick! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Grover T - March 13 - 4:10 pm

  Close tolerences. Beautifully toned exhaust pipes and 275 powerful horses for get up and go. Put that with a quiet ride, a super suspension, a Karmon Harman sound system and you have a great car for under $40,000.00. Its built in one of the manufacturing facilities in the country, the BOC Plant in Hamtramak, MI. It matches up favorably with my Lincoln Mark VIII, Chrysler 300, and Missan Maxima. Try it. You might like it.

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  Lucerne CXL 2007 - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Bill - March 8 - 9:07 am

  I looked first at comparable Japanese cars and discovered GM still does many things better!! This Buick performs and rides excellently, is quiet and comfortable. Its design is not as spectacular as Chrysler 300 but has a feel of quality.

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  4 star - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By M Frost - March 6 - 4:24 pm

  Great car. Ive owned 2. Need to more highway driving

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  Great Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By cc079 - March 4 - 7:42 am

  If you are thinking of buying a foreign luxury car or a Cadillac DTS save your money and buy this fantastic automobile. The North Star engine is superb and the interior is extremely comfortable. The exterior always receives second looks. OnStar Direction and connections is a good service. Only complaint, why is Buick hiding this vehicle! Buick should be shouting the quality and ride of this car from the mountain tops.

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  Initial impressions - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John - February 26 - 4:59 pm

  This car had some vibration when new but cleared up in a few days. Very nice car. Highway trip fuel economy not fully tested yet. Not powerful but entirely adequate.

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  2007 Buick Lucerne, great car, fair name - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Jeff - February 25 - 11:43 am

  Buick is back. I own a 2007 Lucerne CXS and with the Northstar v-8 and the magnetic ride suspension, it rides and handles better that the Lexus I had, and is quieter too. Mileage with the V- 8 is around 20 mpg for me with a combo of intown and highway driving. On the road doing 80 I get around 24..in town around 18. No creaks or squeaks yet, this is the most solid feeling car Ive ever owned.

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  Neat car needs help - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Brian Luedke - February 24 - 1:53 pm

  This could really be a hit for GM, but the engine problems that have affected it are not going to help. I have been having a pinging noise with the V-8. GM acknowledged there is a problem with this engine. Yet they continue to sell it. It did not make the noise when purchased, it started at about 1,000 miles. GM indicated this usually happens around 20K miles. Interesting to find out when they wanted my money they did not bother to tell me about potential problems. Now that they have my money they will only give me that they are working on the problem. Im not satisfied with their answer. Knowing they had a problem, the option should have been pulled. Poor development by GM.

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  Absolutely Gorgeous Value! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By KURT PENNEY - February 23 - 3:58 am

  Originally considering a smaller sedan, I went out and compared estimated mileage and prices. Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen came up short on the quality and attractiveness end, and did not offer substantial mileage savings when models were compared head-to-head on power and price. My CXL has high-end stereo, great looking leather, sunroof, remote start, and is one of the best looking sedans on the road. Ranks with BMW and Cadillac on looks, for the price of an ugly Japanese car.

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  Lucern CXS 2006 - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Dandy - February 19 - 1:26 am

  This is the "ultimate driving experience." Solid feel with quality fit and finish. This is Buicks best effort.

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  The class of Buick - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Ron - February 5 - 1:19 pm

  I live in Michigan and let me tell you it handles the weather with no fear at all. The V8 is roaring to go, the heated wiper fluid melt the ice in seconds, the seats are comfortable yet firm. The ride is quiet yet road heave/pot holes are feathered out.