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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  Hot - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Maury - July 14 - 12:40 pm

  New warranty great improvement. What a feeling of luxury and at a modest price! Handles like a dream on the open road, fantastic steering responce with little roll on normal curves. Plenty of power even with V6 loaded heavily, but will not compete with V8,s of 300 horsepower. Interior identical to Cadillac with same features and controls. Very quiet!

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  Next Generation Buick - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By RON MOSLEY - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Cadillacs, Park Avenues, Grand Prixs, Lincolns and others. This is the best of the best. All I have to do is get in and steer, it pretty much does everything else. It sets my seat, turns to my favority radio channel, turns on the lights when needed, turns on the wipers when needed, the radio automatically increases the volumn as your highway speed increases to adjust for any slight increase in noise level due to engine speed etc. What more do I need. The v-8 engine is amazing, far surperior to the v-6. I may not get 28 mpgs, but 25 mpgs with this better preformance is worth it. For those who want a luxury car without the luxury price, look at the BUICK LUCERNE.

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  Buy American - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Buick owner - February 13 - 5:50 am

  This car is a thrust towards a more modern and up to date fun car to drive. I drove it to south Florida and it drives great. It doesnt have a lot of unecessary componenets to drive up the cost, and has all that is needed in a quality car. It is comfortable, responsive, large truck, and is fun to drive. It has OnStar,which no other car has other then GM cars. To me, OnStar is a must, especially for any senior driver. Everybody who has riden in the car with me has complimented it.

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  The BEST thing since the Roadmaster - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Prkavelver - November 30 - 3:20 am

  This is one of Buicks finest cars. Owned a Roadmaster in 1996, loved, a true American FULL size car, its a shame GM lost the true full size lines, but this compares greatly! Very roomy, excellent drive, love the looks, 6 passenger seating is WAY better than the bulky and gaudy center console. My last car was a 2003 Park Avenue, sorry to see those go but this is a fine replacement! Love it, although there could be a manual key open for the trunk, but nothings perfect. Bye-Bye foriegn imports, hello all-American comfort! A true luxury liner!

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  Lucerne Full Of Fun - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By JNN - October 31 - 1:06 pm

  The 2006 Buick Lucerne is back to the real Buick! This automobile is a true Luxury Buick at an affordable price. Quiet, comfortable, style, all only a small part of this exceptional automobile.

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  Perfection - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Bobbie - October 13 - 5:56 am

  Nicest car I have ever owned. Quiet & smooth. Lots of things to learn & program. Safety features were important to me & the Lucerne has them all. Feel safe & secure in that car. Love the way it handles. I look for places to go so I can drive it every day. Took it on a 7 hour trip. The Rain- sense Wipers were extremely efficient. Having all the controls---Radio--- Cruise on the steering wheel. Great Idea. Beautiful, Rich looking interior. Hope to have this car aroound for a long time.

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  A great new car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Linda - October 1 - 2:13 pm

  This vehicle has all of the necessary features that are required in todays luxury cars. The OnStar is a great extra safety feature when traveling a long distance from home.

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  Lemon of all Lemons - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By CK1 - September 28 - 4:33 am

  After three Hondas I decided to get a roomier family sedan than the Accord. I heard nothing but good things about the Lucerne. Within one day of purchasing the right rear passanger door would not open. Warranty repair. Three days later there was a loud metallic grinding. The dust cover for the crankshaft was rubbing against the crankshaft. Warranty repair. The keyless remote broke three times. Three trips to the dealership. Yesterday the oil pump failed and starved the engine of oil. The engine has to be completely replaced. The car is three months old and has 2500 miles on it! I spent most of those miles driving to get it repaired. I am going to attempt a GM buyback.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Big Ed - August 15 - 12:43 pm

  Just picked up my Lucerne CXL-V8 48 hours ago but so far I love it. Buick finally built something that caught my eye. Ordered a dark blue one with chrome wheels, it looks great and I enjoy the Northstar V8 power. Have been getting some looks on the road, I think people are stunned its a Buick.

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  Affordable luxury - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By George - May 27 - 1:00 pm

  V-8 gives this vehicle quick response, with none of sluggishness in my previous Auroras. Tends to swerve a bit on quick turns or lane changes. Very roomy inside for all passengers front and back with firm but comfortable seating. Side vision is a bit obscured between the placement or width of the roof beams. Trunk release is awkwardly placed in glove box.