2004 Buick Century Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2004 Buick Century includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Buick Century from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Buick Century, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Buick Century help you decide if a 2004 Buick Century is right for you.

2004 Buick Century Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Steering feel

	Handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
4	5.2

Good standing-start scoot, adequate passing power, helped by smooth gear changes and rapid downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
5	5.3

Averaged 19.4-21.4 mpg in our tests.

Ride Quality

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
7	6.2

Soft suspension absorbs bumps impressively well, but Century tends to bound and wallow over dips and crests at highway speeds.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
5	6.1

Excess body lean, limited grip in fast turns. Low-effort steering lacks precision and road feel, but makes low-speed maneuvers easy. With ABS, stopping power is adequate, but front end dives in severe stops. We have not tested a Century without ABS.

Quietness

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
6	5.8

Engine noisy in full-throttle acceleration, otherwise smooth. Wind rush well-managed. Road noise especially low.

Controls

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
5	6.4

Just speedometer, fuel, and coolant gauges, but all easy to read. Climate controls interfere with center passenger's knees. Tire-pressure monitor a useful feature that comes with ABS.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
5	6

Good head and leg room. Bench seat offers little side support in turns, and standard cloth seat is too soft for best comfort. Limited's firmer leather seat is more supportive.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
4	4.5

Good room, but cushion is soft and low, and too narrow for comfortable 3-adult seating.

Cargo Room

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
5	4.6

Wide, flat-floor trunk. But loading/unloading requires stretching over a large bumper-level shelf.

Value within Class

Base w/Limited Pkg.	Class Average
6	6

Century would be a better value with standard ABS and traction control, but it's still a well-thought-out sedan with a no-surprises formula that's proved appealing to conservative buyers. As such, it's worth a look.

Total Score