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2006 Buick Lucerne CXL Buick is General Motors' most misunderstood division. Not as posh as Cadillac or as sporty as Pontiac, Buick has sometimes struggled to find its place in the modern GM. But the 21st century has seen a re-energized Buick with an all-new lineup, and the latest addition is this 2006 Lucerne sedan. It offers full-size American luxury, technology, and power, a combination sure to raise Buick's attraction. You would never guess it from the pictures, but the 2006 Buick Lucerne is big; a premium-class full size car in the truest of terms. Its 115.6-inch wheelbase is an inch and a half longer than the last Park Avenue and a full three inches longer than the fabled LeSabre. Its stiff, unitized chassis is actually based on a highly modified General Motors G-Body platform, which is shared with Cadillac's DTS. The Lucerne chassis rides on a MacPherson Strut Front and multi-link rear suspension design on the CX, with mono-tube airlift rear suspension on CXL and CXS trim. Standard CX wheels are 16 inch. The sportier CXS has 18 inchers, and our luxury-grade CXL test car has 17-inch alloy rims with the optional chrome finish.
Like the chassis, the drive-train draws upon proven technology, led by GM's 197 horsepower 3.8-liter pushrod V6. But our test CXL was fitted with the optional 4.6 liter dual overhead cam 32 valve NorthStar V8 also borrowed from the Cadillac DTS. It produces 275- horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and electronic traction control. This combination delivers EPA mileage ratings of 17 city/25 highway, which we confirmed with a 23 mile-per-gallon mixed test loop. The Lucerne V8 may be big, but it can still manage 0-60 in only 7.2 seconds, with quarter mile runs at 15.4 seconds and 94 miles per hour. The NorthStar V-8 is eager with good mid and upper range power. The 4-speed transmission is refined with surprisingly firm shifts. Our CXL V-8 has Buick's Mid level Ride and Handling suspension with Monotube shocks and speed sensitive Magnetic Variable Assist Steering. While suspension tuning is soft and there is a moderate amount of front push and plenty of body roll, the car remains very controllable for a big front-driver. At high speeds, the big Buick is pretty quick and agile thanks to the optional StabiliTrak electronic stability control system. Despite a soft pedal and some nose dive, braking was secure and stable, with reasonable 133 foot stops delivered by standard 4-wheel discs, ABS, and optional Brake Assist As expected of a premium brand, highway ride is refined and controlled, with the Lucerne feeling very upscale. This is further enhanced by Buick's "Quiet Tuning" system which utilizes multiple sound-deadening packages to produce what is one of the quietest interiors on the American highway.
Front seats are supportive leather clad buckets with 8-way power adjust for the driver. A traditional Buick bench seat is available, while seat heating and cooling is an option. Occupant protection includes a dual depth front passenger airbag, front side-impact airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. As for those in back, they'll find a big comfortable bench with plenty of head and leg room. Golfers will appreciate a deep trunk that offers a cavernous 17 cubic feet of luggage space. Lucerne pricing starts at only $25,990 for the CX. Our CXL test car carries a base price of $29,990. Add in our test car's generous options, and the sticker totals $35,090. This is a lot of full size premium sedan for a very competitive price. As General Motors struggles to redefine its role in the American auto market, Buick is a name-plate with much to win or lose in this restructuring. Rather than being just another GM brand, Buick seeks to become more focused, offering elegant premium sedans with competitive pricing. And the value-laden 2006 Buick Lucerne should go a long way toward solidifying that affordable luxury image for the future.
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Sheet metal is all new with the CXL's Buick waterfall grill reflecting the influence of the Velite concept car. The distinctive fascia leads a clean, flowing body, complete with stylized port holes, that rises to a wide, smooth tail. It's a subtle yet aggressive shape, and makes Lucerne the most contemporary Buick car design yet.
And that roomy interior is a bit of a departure for Buick; airier and more contemporary with a higher level of elegance. The wide, 3-segment dash is clean and simple, with most near flush controls blended seamlessly into the panel. The well laid out center stack in our CXL includes standard automatic dual-zone climate controls, and communications equipment that includes an optional high-end 9-speaker audio system with XM Satellite Radio and standard OnStar with Advanced Automatic Crash Notification that calls for help in a crash regardless of airbag deployment.