The Buick Lucerne full size sedan was first introduced for the 2006 model year to replace the Park Avenue and Le Sabre sedans. For 2009 the Lucerne gets a new base powerplant with available Flexfuel capability.
The Lucerne has styling cues that are both new and old. The crisp headlight design blends with the 3 small vents at the bottom of the A-pillar, a design element of classic Buicks of the 50's and 60's.
There are 4 models of the Lucerne for 2009: the CX, CXL, the CXL Special Edition, and Lucerne Super like the one we drove. The Super came fitted with 18" silver aluminum wheels, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, and halogen fog lamps.
The CX, CXL, and the Special Edition are all now powered by a 3.9-liter V6 that generates 227 horsepower and 237 pound feet of torque. A version of this engine is available that runs on E85 ethanol. The Lucerne Super is powered by a 4.6-liter Northstar V8, putting out 292 horsepower and 288 pound feet of torque. Power on all engines is sent to the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy for the Lucerne ranges from 15 miles per gallon city, up to 26 miles per gallon highway.
The Lucerne's cabin is well appointed. Our Lucerne Super came standard with heated wood grain power tilt telescoping multifunction steering wheel, 8-way power driver's seat, a Harmon-Kardon stereo system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and speed-compensated volume feature that increases the volume during highway driving.
All models of the Lucerne come standard with 4-wheel antilock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, a theft deterrent system, and a full array of front and side impact airbags.
Base MSRP for the 2009 Buick Lucerne is $29,265. A fully loaded Lucerne Super will top out at around $46,000. All 2009 Buick's are backed by a generous 5-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty.
With a contemporary, yet classic design and available V8 power, the 2009 Buick Lucerne is an attractive option for those seeking a refined, luxurious driving experience in a full-size sedan.