1997-2005 Buick Century: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

After a 15-season run in its prior form, Buick's staple sedan finally earned a total redesign. Introduced early in 1997, months after the model year began, the midsize sedan rode a wheelbase more than four inches longer than before. Overall length grew by more than five inches. Only a 4-door sedan went on sale; the former station wagon body style was now extinct. Structurally related to the latest Pontiac Grand Prix and similar to Buick's Regal sedan, the Century contained dual airbags and antilock brakes. Buick offered two trim levels: Custom and more posh Limited. Both used a 160-horsepower, 3.1-liter V6 engine, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both models came only with front and rear bench seats, giving Century full 6-passenger capacity--a rarity in the midsize sedan market.