Test drives: Chevrolet Impala LT, Buick Lucerne CXS
There are a lot of people predicting the demise of General Motors. (For those not in the know, GM is the parent company of Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and GMC.) They say the General is out of touch with what drivers in North America want in a car. GM definitely has its problems, but I've always been of the opinion that they are capable of designing a decent and modern car. About the same time Buick sent me to Canada for a two-day drive of the Lucerne, guest reviewer Steve Parker was spending some quality time with a 2006 Chevrolet Impala in just-above-base LT trim. Both of us came away with the same conclusions: a) GM still knows what they are doing, and b) traditional American car design isn't such a bad thing.
Compared to the rest of the world, our roads are straighter and wider, our gas is (still, believe it or not) cheaper, and our bellies, unfortunately, are larger. Canada is in a similar situation, though their gas is a bit pricier and their people are a bit leaner. So what's wrong with cars that are roomy and have a soft ride? It isn't like GM is building the luxo-barges of the 70s. Their handling is tight enough to handle accident avoidance maneuvers. They probably wouldn't be much fun at 150 MPH, even if they could go that fast. But for those of us who would like to keep our license, stability at anything up to 85 or so is more then adequate.
I think Steve and I came to similar conclusions because we didn't judge these GM products by BMW standards. We judged them by the things we do with our cars every day, and by the standards of quality set by their competitors. I'm not saying all GM products are great; I still think some of their cars, like the Pontiac G6 Coupe, need improvement. But GM is capable of greatness, or at least solid goodness, and the Impala and Lucerne demonstrate that. -- Aaron Gold
Comments
How refreshing to finally read a automobile report that faces reality. I believe most car buyers live their “car time” wanting and experiencing just what you reported, driving and riding in comfort and peace. How often do any of us experience the, pushed to the limit abilities that seem to place an automobile to the 1st choice spot. I am a car nut and have done all of the “fad” cars, but my needs for transportation are firmly met by cars such as you have reported on today. Automotive writers have dug themselves into a hole, and when a car gets first place because of the “look” of the plastic, the “feel” of the plastic, the sound of an engine, etc, etc that is really struggling to justify a recommendation. The “grass is always greener,” is alive and well in the automobile testing business.
I love when we make comparisons with other countries..well we can comepe with other countries,,use their work standards and maybe get rid of social security,,,forget about pensions,,and give one for the gipper..we all like these standards but do little to support them..when you by a product made overseas It cost american jobs.. go to any american getto and thats all you see ..foreign cars,,,I buy american,,,the job you save may be youe own