MSRP: $27,275 - $37,030
Invoice: $25,775 - $34,993
MPG: 16 City / 25 Hwy
Get local dealer price quotes:

U.S.News Scores

Overall:8.1
Performance:7.1
Exterior:7.4
Interior:8.0
Safety:8.1
Reliability:10.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Comfortable, quiet ride
  • Clean and uncluttered interior layout
  • Exceptionally spacious interior with loads of backseat room
  • Classic, American exterior styling
  • More available safety features for 2008
  • Less than stellar passing power
  • May lack luxury options and contemporary appeal of other sedan competitors
  • Very large turning radius and noticeably soft brakes

Prices

Shop around for the best deal by getting price quotes from local dealers.

Buick Lucerne - What the Auto Press Says

The 2008 Lucerne is large sedan that provides a comfortable and smooth ride in a spacious cabin.  It is somewhat soft on performance, with slower acceleration, looser handling and softer brakes than some of its competitors.

The 2008 Buick Lucerne is s a good highway cruiser, with a nostalgic look that recalls classic American sedans. The Washington Post says it's a "plush automobile. But it is not a motorized marshmallow in the manner of the big Buicks of old." The Lucerne is a large car, with enough room for five adults and a smooth, comfortable ride.

The 2008 Buick Lucerne is available in four trims: the base CX, the CXL, the CXS and the top-of-the-line Super (available spring 2008).  For 2008, Buick has added stability control, and lane departure warning system and a blind spot alert system as options on all trim levels. 

For a car that comes in for some criticism due to its relative lack of passing power, the Lucerne doesn't offer particularly good fuel economy.  If you're considering the Lucerne, you might also want to look closely at the well-regarded Toyota Avalon, and the ultra-safe Ford Taurus.

  • "This is the best Buick I've driven in years." -- Boston Globe
  • "Buick's new flagship sedan boasts clean lines suggestive of fine German sedans, while maintaining Buick traditions. Inside, it's elegant and comfortable and easy. Underway, the Lucerne is smooth and quiet, but its steering is precise and it handles winding roads with aplomb." -- New Car Test Drive
  • "You know about a car after 1,000 miles. You certainly know if you'd like to spend another 1,000 miles in its driver's seat. When it comes to the Lucerne CXS, I'd say 'Yes' to that one in a hurry."  -- Washington Post
  • "It offers full-size American luxury, technology, and power, a combination sure to raise Buick's attraction." -- Motor Week
  • "It delivers decent performance with a smooth ride and a comfortable, quiet interior -- attractive attributes for those who must endure a grueling daily commute or travel long distances." -- Forbes
  • "Buick's Lucerne is a relaxing luxury sedan that coddles occupants and driver alike, but it's not the breakout hit Buick needs to find new customers." -- Car and Driver
  • "When you add a few options, or upgrade from a V-6 to a V-8, the Lucerne is pushing or exceeds $30,000. And for that price, what's going to persuade you to buy a Buick rather than an entry-level Audi or Acura or even a Nissan Maxima or Toyota Avalon?" -- U.S. News
  • "Nice as the car was, I was surprised by its price. The CXS started at $34,265 and ended up at $36,485. That seemed a bit high."  -- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Lucerne Performance - 7.1 (Good)

Reviews say the 2008 Lucerne's performance is pleasant, as it delivers a smooth ride that's typical of Buick sedans, but lacks the punch of many competitors.  The V6 engine that powers the CX and CXL engines is seen as adequate, but only the V8 of the higher trims provides class-competitive power.  The Lucerne's soft handling bothers many reviewers, and Automobile.com calls the turning radius "huge -- bordering on ridiculous."  Read More

Lucerne Exterior - 7.4 (Good)

The 2008 Lucerne offers a modern update on the conservative styling traditional of Buicks.  Car and Driver concludes that in "the country-club parking lot, it looks right at home with BMWs and Lexuses."  Still, New Car Test Drive adds, there is "no mistaking the Lucerne for anything other than a Buick." Read More

Lucerne Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)

The Lucerne, according to reviews, is a roomy and comfortable ride, with an accommodating amount of interior space.  Forbes puts it in practical terms: "Five adults, or six with the optional third seat up front, can ride in complete comfort with sufficient trunk space for their belongings." The big Buick's fit and finish causes some disagreement, however.  Read More

Lucerne Safety - 8.1 (Very Good)

Buick has substantially improved the list of safety features available on the 2008 Lucerne, but some of the more advanced systems are expensive options that can quickly drive up the price.  In government crash tests, the 2008 Lucerne earned five stars for driver protection in front impact crashes, and five stars for front passenger protection. In side impact crashes, the Lucerne earned four stars for front seat occupant protection and four stars for backseat occupant protection.    Read More

Lucerne Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2008 Buick Lucerne reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Buick offers a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on all its cars, as well as a five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation.  Read More

Review Last Updated: 3/23/09