Christian Wardlaw’s Advice about the 2006 Buick Lucerne:
Pity General Motors, for as much as it makes huge strides in product quality and desirability with each model changeover, the result is usually several steps behind the competition, leaving its new cars to appeal to a dwindling population of Buy American consumers. This 2006 Lucerne is what Buick should have been building 10 years ago when it was making the last of the Skylarks and laying plans for the first of the Rendezvous. But instead, Lexus built a car like this, and now Buick buyers who might have chosen a Lucerne are likely holding out for the completely redesigned Lexus ES 350 with a powerful and economical V6 engine, higher quality build and materials, and almost guaranteed resale value. When gas costs three bucks a gallon and the Lucerne’s V8 gets 17.3 mpg, nobody cares if it’s the return of the eight-cylinder engine to Buick sedans. Instead, people wonder why you’re not planning a hybrid, or why your standard V6 manages to output less than 200 horses, or why that vaunted V8 is just a few ponies stronger than the Lexus V6, or why the biggest automaker in the world just can’t seem to get its act together.

Ron Perry’s Advice about the 2006 Buick Lucerne:
I personally wouldn’t run out and buy a Buick Lucerne after having driven one, but I do appreciate the car more than I did before my drive. For those buyers looking for a comfortable ride with plenty of room that gets good gas mileage on the highway, the Lucerne V6 might be a car to consider. At a starting price of around $35,000, like our CXS V8 test car, I might opt for something like the redesigned Lexus ES 350 instead. Yes, I would be passing on the ability to drive a V8, but the reliability and resale of the Lexus outweigh anything the Buick has to offer.

Thom Blackett’s Advice about the 2006 Buick Lucerne:
Were the 2006 Buick Lucerne CXS, with the V8, its Magnasteer steering, and Magnaride suspension, priced about $5,000-10,000 less, I’d be suggesting a test drive to anyone even hinting at buying a new sedan. For $30,000, there’s plenty of power and handling capability to overshadow whatever issues buyers may have with Buick’s vanilla brand image. Unfortunately, this ride climbs toward $40,000, a price point that avails shoppers to a whole host of desirable competitors with superior handling, more athletic powertrains, and memorable styling.