We're on the Road in the 2008, Buick LUCERNE
The Good: Very nice exterior styling, decent list of standard features, good engine options, roomy, quiet and comfortable interior, very safe;
The Bad: Handling is lackluster, and steering is numb.
Overall: The Lucerne is a great looking American made sedan, offering a well designed, nicely appointed, safe and very plush ride. Power: Available V-8 where most of the competition offers V6.
The 2008 Lucerne is Buick's six passenger sedan, one of Buicks newest models, initially introduced for 2006. Though the name may be new, it picks up where the LeSabre and upscale Park Avenue left off. The Lucerne can be had in XC, CXL, and CXS trim levels. Standard on the XC and CXL is the 3800 V6 which outputs just 197 horsepower. Opt up to find Buick's 4.6-liter Northstar V8 as an option on the CXL and standard on the CXS, with 275 horsepower it offers plenty of power for the large sedan. The competition has largely moved to five speed transmission, while the Lucerne offers a smooth shifting four speed automatic transmission, standard across all trim levels. The down trim CXL looses the optional V8 this year, and the high end CXS model gets a power tilt-telescoping steering column. Lucerne Super is now available topping the line with increased handling, unique interior and exterior styling cues, more power (4.6-liter V8 outputting 292 horsepower), and other upgrades.
The Lucerne is Buick's flagship sedan, a large front wheel-drive, four door that is family friendly, a best friend on that long road trip. Exterior styling has been updated from previous Buicks it's certainly more modern than your fathers Buick. Nostalgic drivers will enjoy the ride and Buick hopes it will appeal to a younger driver with the updated design. Demanding drivers may find 'love at first drive' behind the wheel of the Buick Lucerne, and it's definitely great for the long family or business trip! The Lucerne provides a plush, absorbent and very comfortable ride, thanks to the soft suspension tuning. The integrated rounded headlights and chrome waterfall grille complete the front fascia nicely.
Safety
The Lucerne scored best possible marks in Government Front, Driver and passenger and rollover crash tests; and four out of five stars for side crash front and rear. The Lucerne has a number of standard safety features, they include: six air bags, including an industry-first dual-depth front passenger air bag, Stability control is standard on CXS and Super models, optional on V6 models, rear child safety seat anchors/locks, theft-deterrent system-pass key, Tire Pressure monitoring (TPMS), 1 year of On-Star Directions with Turn-by-Turn Navigation. The lane departure warning system is a slick system that (as the name implies) alerts you if you cruise out of your lane, without your turn signal active. Also cool (optional) technology is the Side Blind Zone Alert which activates a light on your side mirror if there is a vehicle in your blind zone. Very useful, smart technology! All come with stellar five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection.
Driving Impressions
You'll notice as soon as you jump inside the Lucerne the solid build quality, you feel safe inside. It's an upscale environment! As you drive around town and on the freeway the car is quiet inside, with virtually no road noise. The Lucerne has great fit & finish! Interior build quality can be a mis-match of great and sub-par quality materials, as there is some cheap plastic used inside the sedan. The gauge cluster is clean and straight forward. A nice function within the gauge cluster is the driver information center, which allows you to scroll through information, such as: Tire Pressure, Gas Mileage, Fuel range, Two Trip computers, and more. The CXS has adaptive Magnetic Ride Control shock absorbers, which tighten up the ride of the large sedan, especially when cornering, making it more fun on the long and winding road. There is virtually no steering feedback, brake feel is fine, but braking distance (in panic situations) is longer than most comparable size vehicles.
Thank you for calling On-Star!
One of my favorite features over the past couple years has become On-Star! On-Star offers a few levels of service, emergency assistance, turn-by-turn directions and hands free calling. We're discussing the turn-by-turn direction service, which is like having an unlimited set of maps in the trunk and a friend to look through them and verbally (and visually) tell you how to get to your destination, even if you don't know the name of where you're headed. We were on a road trip out of town and pressed the on-star button to find the nearest Mexican restaurant (even though we had no idea the name or location), it was so great! That's just one of the many great ways On-Star can help!
My sister-in-law was making an out of state drive recently, over a thousand miles with one of the kids along to see family out of state. Only because On-Star was there, that she could (comfortably) make the drive by herself. The service can be a lifesaver in the event something unforeseen happens.
To use On-Star, you press the button at the bottom of the rear view mirror, and usually very quickly someone is on the line to help you. You tell them where you're headed (either city, state and address - or they can look it up for you), they map it for you and directions are sent to the vehicle. During this time, the radio is muted while you discuss your needs with the operator. After the operator has found your destination, the call is ended, the radio comes back on and Directions are then sent to the vehicle. The audio turn-by-turn information (turn left at Route 66 in one mile) and the same info is updated as you drive, by text display, either on the radio (if you don't have a touch screen system) or on your driver information center (inside the gauge cluster). It's a simple solution to a problem that's been around since the car was first invented, now that I can go anywhere, how do I get there? On-Star answers the question, at the touch of a button, every time!
The Way You Feel Inside
Comfortable, spacious cabin, clean design with solid materials, the way you're coddled inside a Buick, is like few others. The controls are simple and even though it's 2008 there's no need to break out the manual to operate any of the systems. Also, this Buick has some cool available technology; like the heated washer fluid, to keep the windshield wipers from freezing to the glass on cold winter days, the Blind Zone Alert system, Lane Departure Warning system, On-Star, available touch screen nav system, Heated and cooled front seats, power sunroof - This ain't your fathers Buick! Even if you didn't grow up with a Buick in the garage and aren't reminiscing the Lucerne is very nicely appointed. With the numerous powertrain options and trim levels, it's easy to find one in this $27 - $39k price range to make your own. If you're looking for a stylish, modern sedan with seating for up to six, the Lucerne should definitely top your list of American made (the Lucerne is made in the motor city) vehicles to test drive.
Stowage
When you remember your first Buick, you remember the large roomy interior and big trunk. This Buick doesn't deviate from that legacy, in the updated Lucerne. You'll find a large spacious interior and lots of trunk space for your luggage after (or on) a long trip. Trunk space is measured at 17 cubic feet. As you'll see in the photos, it's good sized space for this legenday name plate's new sedan!
By the Numbers
By the new 2008 fuel rating the Buick Lucerne CXS with Northstar 4.6-liter V8, and 275 Horsepower - is rated at 15 city / 23 highway, and we averaged just under 19 MPG on regular fuel, combined (city and highway) driving. (CX and CXL - 3.6-liter V6 Engine is rated at 16 City/25 MPG)
Buick LUCERNE Sticker Price EPACX 3.8-liter V6 $26,755 16/25 highway
CXL 3.8-liter V6 $29,400 16/25 highway
CXL Special Edition 4.6-liter V6 $31,385 16/25 highway
CXS 4.6-liter V8 $35,845 15/23 highway
Super 4.6-liter V8 $38,630 15/22 highway
This review was written by Brian LeBow, of LeBow Media, LLC
Brian LeBow of LeBow Media, LLC is the original author of this new car review. More information about LeBow Media, LLC is online at http://www.LeBowMedia.com and our automotive review site is online at http://www.GoontheRoad.com
