2001 Buick LeSabre Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

America's best-selling full-size car is offered in Custom and Limited models. Both come only with a 3.8-liter V6 and automatic transmission. Antilock 4-wheel-disc brakes and front side airbags are standard. Traction control and General Motors' OnStar assistance system are standard on Limited, optional on Custom; StabiliTrak antiskid system is available only on Limited. Optional Gran Touring Pkg. brings firmer suspension and 16-inch wheels. Standard front bench allows 6-passenger seating; bucket seats are optional. LeSabre shares its structure with Cadillac Seville, Pontiac Bonneville, and Oldsmobile Aurora.

Competition

This segment has been hardest hit by the huge popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years ago there were more than 12 cars in the segment and now there are just seven. Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, and plenty of power.

Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are two Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability or don't mind having a rear-drive car, then we recommend you take a look at the Ford Crown Victoria. With its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis it's a dinosaur in this class, but Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.

News

LeSabre remains America's most popular full-size car, but the redesigned year-2000 models sold less well than the cars they replaced, calendar 2000 deliveries dropping some 9 percent versus '99 (to about 143,000). Buick still plans an interim appearance freshening for 2003, then fully redesigned LeSabres for '05. The latter are now in their early development stages and many decisions have yet to be made, but they'll likely retain their present general size, front-wheel drive, and family-car character.

2001 Buick LeSabre Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Automatic transmission performance	Rear-seat comfort

Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
6	6	5.6

Quick away from stops. Ample passing power. Smooth gear changes; prompt, sure downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
5	5	4.8

Averaged 17.9 mpg in our tests.

Ride Quality

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
6	4	6.1

Base suspension is absorbent but floats over humps and dips. Gran Touring suspension does a poor job of absorbing sharp bumps and ridges, feels jittery on rough pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
4	5	5

Competent large-sedan handling, though steering feels artificially heavy. Moderate lean in turns, good grip. Stabilitrak works well. Brakes are unexceptional but easy to modulate.

Quietness

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
7	6	6

Wind and road noise are well-muffled, but tires whine on some surfaces. Engine is quiet at cruise, producing a muted growl in hard acceleration.

Controls

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
4	4	5.3

Large, simple, well-placed. But shiny faceplates make it hard to read some panels, automatic climate controls are difficult to adjust while driving, and console's cupholder is awkward to deploy.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
7	7	7

Roomy for two, but tight for three adults. Cushions are pillowy but not uncomfortable.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
4	4	5.9

Disappointing for a full-size sedan. Cushion is too low and soft for good support. Leg room is tight without front seat moved forward. Too narrow for three-adult comfort.

Cargo Room

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
6	6	5.8

Big trunk has a large opening and low liftover, but lid hinges intrude. Limited's rear-seat pass-through is handy.

Value within Class

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
8	7	7

LeSabre imparts a feeling of size and substance, and standard-equipment list is well-thought-out. But subpar rear-seat accommodations, indifferent interior furnishings are letdowns. Base prices are competitive but options add up quickly and loaded Limiteds top $30,000.

Total Score

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring	Class Average
57	54	58.5

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		50
Average Score		58
High Score		65

2001 Buick LeSabre Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 07/07/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Custom 4-door sedan	$24,230	$22,170	$685

Limited 4-door sedan	$28,950	$26,489	$685

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Custom

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth front split bench seat, 6-way power driver seat, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, overhead console, map lights, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, variable intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, automatic level control, 215/70R15 tires, wheel covers.

Limited adds to Custom:

Powertrain

Traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), front dual-zone automatic climate control and rear climate control, interior air filter, heated 10-way power front seats w/power recliners, trunk pass-through, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, steering wheel radio controls, tachometer, tire pressure monitor, heated power mirrors, automatic day/night driver-side and rearview mirrors, compass, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Cornering lights, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Luxury Pkg. 1SD
Custom	$1,120	$963
Illuminated visor mirrors, AM/FM/cassette w/automatic tone control, steering wheel radio controls, upgraded speakers, 6-way power passenger seat, automatic day/night rearview mirror, analog gauge cluster, interior air filter, cargo net, bodyside stripes, alloy wheels.

Prestige Pkg. 1SE
Custom	$2,344	$2,016
Luxury Pkg. 1SD plus OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), AM/FM/cassette/CD player, 6-way power passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, universal garage door opener, compass, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.

Driver Confidence Pkg.
Limited w/cross lace alloy wheels	$880	$757
Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	$730	$628
Antiskid system, head-up instrument display, self-sealing tires (deleted when ordered w/Gran Touring Pkg.).

Gran Touring Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$235	$202
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport suspension, rear stabilizer bar, 225/60R16 tires, polished alloy wheels. Custom requires Luxury Pkg. or Prestige Pkg.

Seating/Convenience Console Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$70	$60
Bucket seats, convenience console w/writing surface, additional cupholders and power outlets, provisions for cellular telephone and fax.

Powertrain
Traction control
Custom	$175	$151
Includes 225/60R16 tires. Requires Luxury or Prestige Pkg.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Limited	$900	$774


Leather upholstery
Custom, Limited	$780	$671
Custom requires Luxury or Prestige Pkg.

Heated front seats
Custom	$295	$254
Includes heated power mirrors. Requires Luxury or Prestige Pkg., power passenger seat.

Power passenger seat
Custom	$330	$284
Requires Luxury Pkg.

Driver seat memory
Limited	$190	$163
Includes memory mirrors and climate control.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Custom	$200	$172
Includes automatic tone control and steering-wheel radio controls. Requires Luxury Pkg.

12-disc CD changer
Limited	$595	$512


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine heater
Custom, Limited	$35	$30


Cross lace alloy wheels
Custom, Limited	$200	$172
Includes 225/60R16 tires. Custom requires Luxury or Prestige Pkg. NA w/Gran Touring Pkg.

2001 Buick LeSabre Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	200.0

Overall Width, in.	73.5

Overall Height, in.	57.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	3567

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	18.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	230 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	19/30

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan

Collision	4

Collision (HLDI)	71

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Injury	5

Injury (HLDI)	56

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

Theft	5

Theft (HLDI)	13

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

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