Having been the car maker's flagship, the
2011 Buick Lucerne is a rather old-fashioned luxury sedan in its last model year. With either the 3.9-liter V-6 or 4.6-liter V-8 engine, the Lucerne still offers only a four-speed automatic transmission. The Super Lucerne, however, has a front-wheel-drive platform coupled to a transverse engine. The length of the Lucerne is 203.2-inches, and it has a wheelbase equaling 115.6-inches.
The Buick Lucerne is a spacious sedan with plenty of trunk space. The V-8 Super configuration features a front bench seat that can hold three passengers. Of special note are the leading edge safety features of the Lucerne: Side Blind Zone Alert with laser sensors scanning a 150-degree field of view, and Lane Departure Warning, which uses cameras to warn the driver of inadvertent lane changes. The Lucerne's EPA rating is 17 mpg city / 27 mpg highway.
New for 2011
In its last model year, the 2011 Buick Lucerne received two new radios for five-passenger trims: an AM/FM stereo with USB port, auxiliary input jack, CD player and MP3 playback, and a similar radio that is integrated into the optional navigation system. Neither radio is available with the optional front bench seat. StabiliTrak with full-function traction control now comes standard on all trims.
Essentials
Engines: 3.9L V-6, 4.6L V-8
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Body Style: Sedan
Trims: CX Sedan, CXL Sedan, CXL Premium Sedan, Super Sedan
On the Outside
With a longer, lower, wider look, the Buick Lucerne has the short dash-to-axle style of a front-wheel-drive car. The three ventiports per side indicates the V-6 engine, while four per side indicates the V-8 engine option.
From the Inside
The Buick Lucerne's six-passenger, front bench seat option is a hard-to-find feature. The Lucerne utilizes Buick's Quiet Tuning technology, while the Lucerne Super has a leather-wrapped upper instrument panel with French seam stitching.
Driving Performance
Both Buick Lucerne engines are tied to a four-speed automatic transmission, while six-, seven-, and even eight-speed transmissions are the norm. The suspension is tuned to avoid feeling potholes, but then you can't take corners very fast.
Safety Equipment
Standard safety equipment on the Buick Lucerne includes a Side Blind Zone Alert with laser sensors scanning a 150-degree field of view, and Lane Departure Warning, which uses cameras to warn the driver of inadvertent lane changes.
Gas Mileage
CX, CXL, EXL: 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway
Super: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Plusses
- Safety Equipment
- Large back seat
Minuses
- Old-fashioned design
- Out-of-date engineering
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Too-soft ride
Rating
On its way to car heaven
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