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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  Japanese, eat your pocket books out! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Southern Guy - April 12 - 2:30 am

  Expertly styled and built. Breathtaking interior. I wanted something different from all my coworkers and friends. Boy, does this car have class and style that I just dont find in the Azera or Avalon for that matter. Test drove the Avalon, and Es300 and it seemed more suited as a competitor for the Es. Still chose the Lucerne. It simply seemed to outclass the Lexus and I know the V6 to be tried and true.

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  Great car with extraordinary comfort - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Ken - March 28 - 5:31 pm

  I love this car. It is just a few weeks old, but has everything I wanted in a new car. The ride is unmatched. I tested a Ford Fusion because they said it drove as nice as a Buick. They were wrong. The Lucerne glides across rough road. It has plenty of pickup. The controls are well positioned for easy access. Plenty of leg room for stretching out. The 2008 version does not have bluetooth phone, and that I miss. I understand that 2009 does have that. The fan has plenty of power to cool or heat. I do wish that it had more power connections for things like iPods. The dash is a little hard to see in the daylight. Auto headlights is great. On Star is just amazing. Just a great car.

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  Great car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Carey Grant - March 26 - 2:36 pm

  Buick is back and with a vengance. This is a superior car. It blows away the domestic and foreign competition. If you are looking at Lexus take a look at Lucerne. The Lucerne is the better value, but more important the better car. Great ride and handliing. Average fuel mileage is running about 23 miles per gallon. Check it out you will like it.

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  Would buy another one - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Cobble - March 25 - 8:57 pm

  There have been two annoyances: 1. Readablility of instruments in bright sun is very poor. 2. When very hot i.e.sitting on hot macadam for hours and/or driven hard, the steering has a tiny "thunk" feel on occasion when making a turn. Its been traced to a universal joint in the steering linkage. Dealer got 95 percent of it out, but a slight amount remains. I suspect it might be a design flaw. Had Lexus LS-400 before. Buick is as good and in many ways better. Recently drove 09 Lexus ES-350. Prefer Buick. Smooth, silky traveler head-snapping acceleration quieter than new Lexus 19.7 mpg around town very little roll on twisties (not a sporty car, though) 4-spd is slick.

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  final Buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Dave - March 20 - 12:34 pm

  I have owned many Buicks but this will be the last. I`ve had nothing but trouble. Poor mileage 15-23, acclerator problems,power seat, steering noise, ext temp., worst of all it has left me setting 3 times with a no start, and had to be hauled in on a flatbed. This all has happened in only 4500 miles. I have lost all confidence in GM. I wish I had never traded. Had an 05 LaSabre that was a very good car. Got 23-30 for mileage with no problems, I wish I could say the same for the LuCerne.

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  Full of Surprises - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Steve - March 17 - 11:13 am

  Having purchased a new CSX only 2 weeks ago, I have not had time to truly evaluate the vehicle. Many available options were surprising including, automatic tire pressure reading, monthly system check-up courtesy of On-Star, Air conditioned seats which are great for desert dwellers, the automatic start feature which at first seemed extravagent. When its 118 deg.F, the air conditioning can cool off the car to a nice 100 deg. from 135 deg. inside the cabin,which is VERY nice for a desert dweller. Another surprise was the large battery----not under the hood, but under the back seat! That and the main fuse bank is actually very easy to get to for servicing. Gas mileage is not great 17- 25.

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  Sarge - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Sarge - March 3 - 10:46 pm

  Not as nice as the Park Ave. Small seats. Not much room in the front seat. Coffee holders not deep enough to hold tall coffee without tipping. No place to put a cell phone. Already having trouble with auto seat settings. Radio not working . Small trunk.

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  Buick Lucerne, beautiful, reliable - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By William H Burke, J - February 26 - 5:42 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years, and have had absolutely zero problems with it. It does 0 to 60 in 9 seconds, plenty fast enough for me, and has a magnificent ride. I have had several complements from total strangers on how beautiful it looks: I have the blacked out grill with ming blue. The aluminum wheels are nice. Anybody who compares this car with an Avalon or Azela(?) or Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable is completely out of their mind! My only complaint is the fuel mileage: I get 26 on the open road - not as good as the 29 I got with my 2000 LeSabre.

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  Knocks your socks off! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By TBP - February 26 - 4:10 pm

  I waited for months to buy this car. Ive always owned GM and been pleased, so I was really excited to see the Lucerne come along. I bought my loaded CXL V8 one week ago and am embarrased by the attention it generates. This car is tight, beautiful and very fast - really. During the first two days I found each feature was exactly what I would have wanted and smiled to myself knowing I had made a really satisfying purchase. It is important that you drive a V8 Lucerne and then perhaps a Lexus or Infinity. All of your senses will tell you that this is the one.

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  V6 Fuel Pig - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Buick Man - February 12 - 6:52 am

  Sometimes it feels like the only way I could get the gas mileage to be better is if I pushed it with the engine off! I cannot get this over 21mpg I am not an aggressive driver. I set the cruise between 65 and 70 yet still the avg MPG never goes above 21 on the highway, Sometimes I feel that I should have bought the V8, at least I would have had some power with my cruddy gas mileage (or I may have even gotten better mileage with the V8). Why did GM kill the 3.8? 2000 LeSabre had 15 more hp, better torque and 33mpg on the highway. What/why did they change it?