2000 Buick Park Avenue: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Front side airbags are newly standard on Buick's flagship sedan for 2000. Park Avenue returns in base form with a 205-horsepower V6 and as the Ultra model with a 240-hp supercharged version of the V6. Both have automatic transmission, antilock brakes, and self-leveling rear suspension. Optional on both is a Gran Touring suspension package that includes firmer suspension settings and more-aggressive tire tread.

Newly standard on Ultra and optional on the base Park Avenue is General Motors' StabiliTrak system, designed to sense an impending skid in a turn and apply the brakes to an individual wheel to keep the car on its intended course. Both models also gain child-seat anchors on the rear package shelf. At midyear, GM's OnStar assistance system became standard on Ultra and available as an option on the base Park Avenue.

COMPETITION

This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark, it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price.

But the Acura's not for everyone. We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30, and the luxury-orientated Lexus ES 300.