2002 Buick LeSabre Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The top-line version of America's best-selling full-size car gets standard instead of optional leather seats for 2002. LeSabre is offered in Custom and Limited models. Both use 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. GM's Stabilitrak antiskid system is available on Limited. The optional Gran Touring Package includes firmer suspension and 16-inch wheels vs. 15s. The standard front bench seat allows 6-passenger seating; bucket seats are optional. Leather upholstery is standard on Limited, optional on Custom. Power memory front seats are also newly standard on Limited. LeSabre shares its structure with Cadillac Seville, Pontiac Bonneville, and Oldsmobile Aurora.

Competition

This segment has been hard hit by the popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years back 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, the Ford Crown Victoria with its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis is an option. 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 sales have sliding since its 2000 redesign. Orders fell some 9 percent in calendar 2000 and by 4 percent in the first nine months of 2001, both on a year-to-year basis.

Industry sources and GM insiders say LeSabre will get a cosmetic freshening for 2003. A full redesign follows for 2005 or '06. LeSabre will remain a "platform mate" of the Cadillac DeVille, which is being redesigned for the same time frame, but GM has yet to decide whether these models will remain front-wheel drive or switch to a rear-drive format.

2002 Buick LeSabre Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Automatic-transmission performance	Rear-seat comfort

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	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 Pkg.	Class Average
4	4	4.6

Averaged 17.9 mpg in our tests.

Ride Quality

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
6	5	6.7

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 Pkg.	Class Average
4	5	5.3

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 Pkg.	Class Average
7	7	6.1

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 Pkg.	Class Average
5	5	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 Pkg.	Class Average
7	7	6.9

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

Room/Comfort (rear)

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	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 3-adult comfort.

Cargo Room

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	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 Pkg.	Class Average
8	7	6.9

LeSabre imparts a feeling of size and substance, and its standard-equipment list is well-thought-out. Subpar rear-seat accommodations and indifferent interior furnishings are letdowns. Base prices are competitive but options add up quickly.

Total Score

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
57	56	59.1

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		59
High Score		65

2002 Buick LeSabre Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/15/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Custom 4-door sedan	$24,660	$22,564	$710

Limited 4-door sedan	$30,255	$27,683	$710

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, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, 8-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.

Safety

Tire-pressure monitor.

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, leather upholstery, heated 10-way power front seats w/power recliners, trunk pass-through, memory package (seats, mirrors, climate control, radio presets), AM/FM/cassette/CD player, steering-wheel radio controls, tachometer, heated power mirrors, automatic day/night driver-side and rearview mirrors, passenger-side mirror tilt-down parking aid, 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	$1,624	$1,397
AM/FM/CD player w/upgraded sound system, steering-wheel radio controls, tachometer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, driver-information center (including tire-pressure monitor and dual trip odometers), illuminated visor mirrors, interior air filter, cargo net, bodyside stripes, alloy wheels.

Prestige Pkg. 1SE
Custom	$2,904	$2,497
Luxury Pkg. 1SD plus OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), AM/FM/cassette/CD player, 8-way power passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, universal garage-door opener, compass, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.

Seating/Convenience Console Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$70	$60
Front bucket seats, center console w/storage, leather armrest, additional cupholders and power outlets, rear climate controls, provisions for cellular telephone and fax. Custom requires leather upholstery and Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE.

Gran Touring Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$235	$202
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport suspension, rear stabilizer bar, 225/60R16 tires. Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE.

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.

Powertrain
Traction control
Custom	$175	$151
Includes 225/60R16 tires. Requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Limited	$900	$774


Leather upholstery
Custom	$995	$856
Requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE.

Heated front seats
Custom	$295	$254
Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE, leather upholstery, power passenger seat.

8-way power passenger seat
Custom	$330	$284
Requires Pkg. 1SD.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Custom	$100	$86
Includes automatic tone control and steering-wheel radio controls. Requires Pkg. 1SD.

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


Cross-Lace alloy wheels
Custom, Limited	$295	$254
Includes 225/60R16 tires. Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE. NA w/Gran Touring Pkg.

2002 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	20/29

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

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

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

< 2002 Buick LeSabre Photos

Also in the 2002 Buick LeSabre Review:

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Buick LeSabre Road Test

Buick LeSabre Prices & Equipment

Buick LeSabre Specs & Safety

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