Acceleration

Base	Ultra	Class Average
5	6	5.5

Ultras impressively quick. Base models have ample power. Both aided by smooth, alert transmission.

Fuel Economy

Base	Ultra	Class Average
5	4	4.7

Base Park Avenue averaged 19.8 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Test Ultra averaged 15.3 mpg in mostly city work, 20.3 in primarily highway travel. Buick recommends regular-grade fuel for base model, premium for Ultra.

Ride Quality

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	8	6.7

Standard chassis favors comfort over handling and delivers a cushy ride, though with too much float over dips. Firmer Gran Touring suspension provides better body control without being harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Ultra	Class Average
4	6	5.4

Mushy, imprecise with standard suspension. Gran Touring suspension reduces body lean, front-end plowing, steering numbness, but not enough to disguise Park Avenue's generous length and weight. Cumbersome turning circle. StabiliTrak works well. Brakes strong, but nosedive pronounced in quick stops, especially with base suspension.

Quietness

Base	Ultra	Class Average
8	8	6.5

Nicely quelled road noise. Engine only mildly intrusive in full-throttle acceleration, wind only above 65 mph.

Controls

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	7	5.8

Gauge layout seems squeezed into dashboard, though available head-up display suits some drivers. Lots of buttons, switches, and not always logically grouped. Oddly, traction-control on/off switch is at tip of transmission shift lever. Cabin decor is old-school Americana, with lots of shiny faux wood. Ultra's plastic center console bin covers work with embarrassing lack of smoothness.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	8	6.9

Abundant head and leg room on comfortable seats, though bench seat is too narrow for three adults. Available buckets hold driver in place better. Outboard front safety belts anchor to seat; they're easy to reach, but not all testers find them a comfortable fit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Ultra	Class Average
6	6	5.9

Roomy for two adults and more spacious than in LeSabre, Buick's other full-size sedan. Still, three's a squeeze, and slightly firmer cushion would increase long-distance comfort.

Cargo Room

Base	Ultra	Class Average
6	6	5.6

More than in most near-luxury cars. Enhanced by flat trunk floor and low load lip.

Value within Class

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Park Avenue represents the full-size, luxury-oriented side of this class and plays its role well by delivering traditional American room, power, and amenities at a competitive price.

Total Score

Base	Ultra	Class Average
62	66	59.7

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		53
Average Score		59
High Score		67