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2009 Buick Lucerne Full Review
Date Published: 3/26/08
Also in the 2009 Buick Lucerne Review:
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Buick Lucerne Full Review
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2009 Buick Lucerne
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Buick Lucerne should see no major changes. Buick's largest car shares its basic design with the Cadillac DTS. Lucerne CX and CXL models have a 197-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine. The Super, which replaces the discontinued CXS model, has a 292-hp 4.6-liter V8. All Lucernes use a 4-speed automatic transmission and seat five. An available front-bench seat on CX and CXL increases capacity to six. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Also available are blind-spot alert and lane-departure warning systems. Leather upholstery is standard on CXL and Super. Other available features include remote engine start, heated and cooled front seats, and a navigation system. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Buick Lucerne.
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2009 Buick Lucerne Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Passenger and cargo room | Visibility |
| Quietness | |
| Instruments/controls | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
The V6 engine provides adequate around-town power and works well with the smooth-shifting transmission. The V6 trails the refined V8 for merging and passing power, and neither engine matches the rival Chrysler 300's V6 and V8 engines for outright muscle.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 5 | 6.2 |
The V6 engine provides adequate around-town power and works well with the smooth-shifting transmission. The V6 trails the refined V8 for merging and passing power, and neither engine matches the rival Chrysler 300's V6 and V8 engines for outright muscle.
Fuel Economy
No opportunity to measure. Lucerne V6 models use regular-grade gas. Buick recommends premium for the V8.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.4 |
No opportunity to measure. Lucerne V6 models use regular-grade gas. Buick recommends premium for the V8.
Ride Quality
CXL models are compliant over bumps, but unwanted body motions abound, including float at higher speeds and bobbing over broken surfaces around town. Buick says the Lucerne CX has a more comfort-oriented suspension, but that model has not been made available for us to test.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.6 |
CXL models are compliant over bumps, but unwanted body motions abound, including float at higher speeds and bobbing over broken surfaces around town. Buick says the Lucerne CX has a more comfort-oriented suspension, but that model has not been made available for us to test.
Steering/Handling/Braking
CXL versions suffer from a lot of body lean in turns. The steering is vague and overboosted on the highway. All have a wide turning circle for poor close-quarters maneuverability. All stop with confidence, but some testers complain of a dull brake pedal feel.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 5 | 6.3 |
CXL versions suffer from a lot of body lean in turns. The steering is vague and overboosted on the highway. All have a wide turning circle for poor close-quarters maneuverability. All stop with confidence, but some testers complain of a dull brake pedal feel.
Quietness
Lucerne is impressively quiet. The engine is hushed in all but full-throttle situations.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 8 | 6.7 |
Lucerne is impressively quiet. The engine is hushed in all but full-throttle situations.
Controls
Gauges are clearly marked. Major controls are well-placed and refreshingly easy to operate.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.9 |
Gauges are clearly marked. Major controls are well-placed and refreshingly easy to operate.
Details
Cabin materials are mostly of high quality, but a few lightweight plastic panels seem out of place given Lucerne's pricing.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.3 |
Cabin materials are mostly of high quality, but a few lightweight plastic panels seem out of place given Lucerne's pricing.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Headroom and legroom are ample. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with the available cooling feature an unexpected surprise. Visibility to the corners is compromised by large roof pillars.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 8 | 7.4 |
Headroom and legroom are ample. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with the available cooling feature an unexpected surprise. Visibility to the corners is compromised by large roof pillars.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Only the very tall might wish for more head clearance. Legroom is good, but foot space is tight. Some testers say the seat is too low for best support. Three-across travel is complicated by an uneven floor and cushion shape. Large door openings make entry and exit a breeze.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.7 |
Only the very tall might wish for more head clearance. Legroom is good, but foot space is tight. Some testers say the seat is too low for best support. Three-across travel is complicated by an uneven floor and cushion shape. Large door openings make entry and exit a breeze.
Cargo Room
Lucerne has a large trunk opening, but its lid hinges intrude into the cargo area. Its small rear-seat pass-through is a poor substitute for folding seatbacks. Despite a two-tier center console, interior storage is subpar due to a small glovebox and door map pockets.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 |
Lucerne has a large trunk opening, but its lid hinges intrude into the cargo area. Its small rear-seat pass-through is a poor substitute for folding seatbacks. Despite a two-tier center console, interior storage is subpar due to a small glovebox and door map pockets.
Value within Class
Lucerne occupies a middle ground between the flamboyant Chrysler 300 and the conservative Toyota Avalon, with the well-appointed CXL offering the most value for the money.
| CXL | Class Average |
| 7 | 7.8 |
Lucerne occupies a middle ground between the flamboyant Chrysler 300 and the conservative Toyota Avalon, with the well-appointed CXL offering the most value for the money.
Total Score
| CXL | Class Average |
| 69 | 69.3 |
Scores for all Large Cars
| Low Score | 65 | |
| Average Score | 69 | |
| High Score | 73 |
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2009 Buick Lucerne Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/13/2007
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Buick Lucerne Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Buick Lucerne 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 115.6 |
| Overall Length, in. | 203.2 |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 58.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3764 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 17.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 6 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.5 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.0 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V6 | dohc V8 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.8 /231 | 4.6 /279 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 197 @ 5200 | 292 @ 6300 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 227 @ 3800 | 288 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 4-speed automatic | 16/25 | 15/22 |
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 Lucerne 4-door sedan |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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%.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 Buick Lucerne Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Buick Lucerne Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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