Description

That's what Buick did in bringing out the LaCrosse to replace the midsize Regal and Century for 2005 and the Lucerne to replace the full-size LeSabre and Park Avenue for 2006. A fresh start and a new strategy to win buyers back into Buick showrooms. If Cadillac could win buyers back with CTS and STS and Chrysler with the 300 and Magnum, not to mention the Hemi V-8, there's hope for Buick with LaCrosse and Lucerne. Lucerne is a full-size, front-wheel-drive sedan that shares a platform with the Cadillac DTS. Lucerne is offered in CX, CXL and CXS versions. We tested the top-of-the line CXS. A waterfall grille and jewel-like headlamps make it adequately attractive. Though trying to create a new image, Buick retained a styling cue that's been part of its DNA since Methuselah bought its first sedan--ventiports. There are four such portholes on each front fender in V-8 models, three in V-6s. Ventiports helped consumers distinguish a Buick from an Oldsmobile when General Motors produced look-alike cars in the '70s and '80s. Now those four ventiports serve notice that, with Lucerne, Buick has brought back a V-8 for the first time since 1995, when V-6s took over for higher mileage.