The 2011 Lucerne is the flagship sedan from Buick. It provides premium features and safety equipments. It combines some of the best designs found in the old vehicles with new technology making it more usable and interesting for buyers.
It is a sedan with large front-wheel drive that emphasizes classic shapes and details inside and out.
New Features
The exterior comes with chrome accents and optional polished alloy wheels to give more style to the car. The interior is moderate. The seats are made of leather which is nicely stitched. The 2011 Lucerne features Bluetooth compatibility, Adaptive Remote Start, XM Radio and many smart features. These technological features are given by Buick to cope up with the past models which did not have such feature.
The 2011 Buick Lucerne is a front-wheel drive that comes in four trims. These trim levels are CX, CXL Premium and Super. The CX comes with alloy wheels in 17-inch size, satellite radio and air conditioning. CXL trims have additional features such as automatic control with dual zone feature, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, front seats that are heated, leather upholstery, and steering wheel that are also heated.
The CXL Premium trim models and the Super trims have further additional features such as chrome wheels and audio that has been upgraded. The Super trim also features Magnetic Ride Control, front seats with ventilation, sun roof and leather upholstery.
Performance
The Lucerne comes with an option between two engines. The CX and CXL trims are equipped with a 3.9-litter V6 engine that can achieve 227 hp and 237 lbs ft of torque. The Super trim is equipped with a 4.6 liter engine that achieves 292 hp and 288 pound ft of torque. Both engines come in a four-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy on the V6 engine is estimated to achieve 17 mpg in the city and 27 in the highway. The V8 on the other hand has estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg in the city and 23 in the highway.
Exterior & Interior
The Lucerne’s exterior has features such as a waterfall grille and chrome portholes found around the flanks. The angled windshield and roofline are designed to go with the flow. It has standard 17 inch alloy wheels, optional remote start, optional lane departure warning system and parking assist which is also optional. The Super trim has 18 inch alloy wheels.
The interior of the Lucerne has more cabin space than its competitors. It can seat five to six passengers. The dashboard features comprehensive gauges, easy to use controls, and simple lay-out. The large trunk can load amounting to 17 cubit feet of cargo.
Other features include memory settings, a power lumbar, heated front seats, and heated steering wheel. It also features a 280-watt audio system equipped with nine speakers.
Safety & Reliability
Safety features of the 2011 Buick Lucerne include the anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, overhead curtain bags, front impact and side impact airbags, OnStar service and monitoring system for tire pressure. CXL Premium trim models and the Super trims have additional features such as rear parking assist, warning system on lane departure and alert system on the side blind zone.
The 2011 Lucerne has not yet been rated by the federal government. But the 2010 model has been rated with perfect scores for frontal occupant protection for head-on collisions and earned four stars in front and rear side-impact protection. The tests are not comparable to the 2011 tests.
The IHHS gave the Lucerne a top score in frontal-offset collisions. It was also rated with “Acceptable” rating for side-impact testing.
The Competition
The 2011 Buick Lucerne has competition in the Ford Taurus. The Ford Taurus (MSRP $25,420; 18 city / 28 hwy) has received good reviews because of its high tech cabin that has SYNC system that has voice control and music gadgets with voice commands. Furthermore, Taurus costs less than the Lucerne.
Pros
- Roomy Cabin
- Gives comfortable ride
- Large trunk
Cons
- Weak V6 engine
- Poor handling
- Dated 4-speed transmission
Overall Rating
72 out of 100
What others say:
“The Lucerne is old-style luxury, American-style. A large front-wheel-drive sedan, the Lucerne emphasizes classic, if dated, shapes and details inside and out. ”Car Connection
“All Lucernes have a wide turning circle for poor close-quarters maneuverability. All stop with confidence, but some testers complain of a dull brake-pedal feel.”Consumer Guide
“Braking and handling are below par, but the ride is comfortable. Rear seat room is good.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“A relic of the way Buick used to design its cars, the 2011 Lucerne is outclassed by newer and more appealing luxury sedans.”Edmunds
“All 2011 Buick Lucerne models gain GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system, while five-passenger models are fitted with a console-mounted USB port.”KBB
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Sedan | Base Price: $29,730.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 18 gallons (68 liters) | MPG: 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Length: 203.2 in. (516 cm) | Width: 73.8 in. (187 cm) |
| Height: 58 in. (147 cm) | Wheel Base: 115.6 in. (293 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3735 lbs (1694 kg) | Ground Clearance: NA |
| Luggage Capacity: 17 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 12-Valves OHV V6 | Displacement: 3.9 liter |
| Horsepower: 227 HP | Max RPM: 5700 RPM |
| Torque: 237 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm | Transmission: 4-Speed Hydra-Matic (automatic) |
| 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds | Max Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs (453.6 kgs) |
| Option:CXL | MSRP: $33,130; MPG: 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Option:CXL Premium | MSRP: $35,675; MPG: 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Option:Super w/ Northstar V8 | MSRP: $44,460; MPG: 15 city / 23 hwy |
