2006 Buick Lucerne CXS Test Drive

Mature motoring

Many people still think of Buick as an old person's car. That's not the case with the Lucerne. So is it a young person's car? Um...no. The Lucerne won't appeal to people out for raw driving thrills, radical styling or an impress-the-neighbors badge. The Lucerne's comfort and amenities appeal to a more seasoned crowd, but its road manners and electronics are thoroughly modern. I've come to think of it as a mature person's car. $34,990 base, $39,430 as tested, EPA mileage 17 MPG city/25 highway.

First Glance: Anonymous styling hides Lucerne's charms

My wife Robin and I spent two long days driving the Lucerne through Western Canada, and if you asked me to describe its styling to you, I couldn't -- not without looking at a photograph. The Lucerne has some nice details, particularly the broad line that arches over the front fender, under the window line, and around to the trunk. If the light hits just right, you'll see it. Maybe. And then there are the portholes on the front fender, a throwback to Buicks of yore; 4 on a side for V8-powered Lucernes, 3 per side for the V6. Overall, though, the design is forgettable. Not unattractive, mind you, but forgettable.

Is this a bad thing? Could be. My concern is that potential customers are going to walk right on by the Lucerne in the showroom -- or they might drive right past the Buick showroom altogether. Shame, because they're going to miss out on what I think is a very good car.

In the Driver's Seat: Lots of space and useful gadgetry

I've read complaints about the Lucerne's front seats being too flat and unsupportive, but both Robin and I thought they were just splendid, even after several hours on the road. Getting the driving position just right requires use of the seat-height adjuster; the tilt steering wheel has four positions, none of which were just right for me. The backseat is traditional American: Big, roomy and comfortable. A full complement of airbags comes standard.

My tester, a top-of-the-line Lucerne CXS, had optional ($500) climate-controlled seats which are the best I've ever tried. The seat heaters allow the lower back to be heated separately from the seat-cushion, great for backaches. And while most seat cooling systems simply blow air towards one's nether regions -- disturbing or invigorating, depending on your tastes -- the Lucerne's seats actually cool the cushion, a great feature when the car has been parked in the sun.

The $1795 navigation/stereo system has a touch-screen display that is artfully designed and easy to use. XM radio tuning is an especially impressive bit of design. Its system of browsing by categories makes it easy for a driver to select one of XM's 170+ stations without diverting too much attention from the road.

On the Road: Not at all what I expected

Buicks are supposed to be floaty and disconnected. Not so the Lucerne. Its ride is notably firm but still comfy. The CXS can instantly change its handling characteristics thanks to the innovative MagneRide system. It works via a special fluid in the shock absorbers that thickens when a magnetic field is applied, effectively tightening up the suspension. So when your spouse says "No, that right turn!" you can spin the wheel without thinking, as I did, the Buick will stay flat, keep its weight properly planted and carve through the turn with (almost) European flair. (You can then say "I meant to do that!" with confident conviction.) Others have criticized Lucerne's magnetic power steering; it's unusually light but very precise, and once used to it I grew to like it.

Kudos to the Lucerne's 275 hp Northstar V8. Powerful front-wheel-drive cars oftensuffer from torque steer (the car pulls to one side under hard acceleration). Amazingly, the Lucerne doesn't. And while some may chide the 4-speed automatic as old-fashioned, it's one of the best autos made: Smooth and quick to downshift, so there's never a delay for power. The downside: The Lucerne uses premium gas, and lots of it. Even with a light foot, I barely broke 20 MPG.

Journey's End: It's not about age, it's about maturity

German car enthusiasts brag about cars developed to drive at 160 MPH plus on the Autobahn. Well, we don't have the Autobahn here in the US and Canada. We drive at lower speeds over a variety of road surfaces, good and bad. We have freeways, some long and straight, some choked with traffic and some with alarmingly short acceleration lanes. And we have all sorts of things that can suddenly dive into our path -- children, animals, bad drivers -- that we must suddenly swerve to avoid. That's the kind of driving we do in North America, and that's the kind of driving for which the Buick Lucerne is designed.

If you still think of Buick as an old person's car with a waterbed-like ride and the reflexes of the deceased, you really ought to try out a Lucerne. True, the bland looks do nothing to dispel the old-folk image. And maybe a 20-something won't appreciate the Buick's subtly elegant cabin, uncannily quiet ride and competent but relaxing road manners. But if you can appreciate the amenities of cars like the Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES, chances are you'll like the Lucerne. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this car -- guess I'm a bit more mature than I thought.

This test drive was conducted at a manufacturer-sponsored press event. Travel, accommodation, meals, vehicles and fuel were supplied by General Motors.