2001 Buick LeSabre: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.