Buick prices Lucerne Super at $39,395
click above for more high-res pics of the Buick Lucerne Super
We generally liked the Buick Lucerne CXS model we reviewed in 2006, and we genuinely liked the Buick LaCrosse Super that we tested last year. Unfortunately, we're not big fans of the Lucerne Super that takes Buick's slightly above average large sedan and marries it with a 4.6L Northstar V8 producing 292 horsepower. Our main gripe is that the less expensive, smaller and lighter LaCrosse Super is powered by a more powerful 5.3L small-block V8 making 300 horsepower (both are unfortunately front-wheel-drive, and will remain that way). What's more, the Super version of the Lucerne's baby brother stickered for $33,750. General Motors announced today that the 2008 Buick Lucerne Super, however, will start at $39,995 (including $765 for destination). For over $6,000 more, you're getting a less powerful but larger sedan than you would if you bought the LaCrosse Super.
That said, for $40k you get one loaded Lucerne. Standard features include the aforementioned Northstar V8, Magnetic Ride Control (also seen on cars such as the Corvette and Ferrari 5999), new steering mechanicals, heated and cooled front seats, remote start, rear parking sensors and much more. The exterior is augmented with a new waterfall grille, though we don't think it looks as nice as the standard one. There's also new rocker panels and dual chromed exhaust tips out back. The interior is upgraded with a leather-wrapped console, suede trim, a heated walnut wood steering wheel and shifter, 280-watt Harman Kardon stereo and more. The only options are chrome wheels, a touchscreen nav system, sunroof and an Ultra Confidence package with Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning systems. Yes, you get nearly every standard option for your forty large, but we'd rather have a LaCrosse Super if it's all the same to you.
[Source: Buick]
Gallery: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super
PRESS RELEASE:
Buick Announces Pricing For The 2008 Buick Lucerne Super
DETROIT - Buick, the premium international brand of General Motors, today announced the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for its all-new 2008 Lucerne Super entry-luxury sedan. Buick's most premium and powerful full-size sedan carries an MSRP of $39,395 including a $765 destination freight charge. It will be available for sale in dealer showrooms beginning in April.
The Lucerne Super features a long list of standard content exclusive to the Super badge, compelling safety features, and performance and powertrain enhancements. Pricing targets comparably equipped luxury import competitors.
Standard luxury content
Lucerne Super has a full range of standard equipment and technologies befitting Buick's premium image. Among them include a new 4.6L 292-horsepower Northstar V-8 engine; Magnetic Ride Control technology; premium steering gear; heated and cooled front seats; heated windshield washer fluid; QuietTuning, Buick's exclusive process to reduce, block and absorb interior cabin noise; factory-installed remote start; Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist; rain-sensing windshield wiper system; OnStar; XM Satellite Radio; and six air bags, including an industry-first dual-depth front passenger air bag.
Lucerne Super's exterior features new and exclusive features such as a chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, rocker panels and dual chrome exhaust tips. Its luxury-like interior gets a leather-wrapped instrument panel with French-seam stitching; suede trim on the doors and seats; heated real walnut wood steering wheel and shifter; a Nova-silver center stack finish; a nine-speaker, 280-watt Harman Kardon audio system; six-disc, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability; and floor mats embroidered with the Buick name and tri-shield emblem.
Available features include 18-inch chrome wheels, touch screen DVD-based map navigation, power sunroof and an Ultra Confidence package with Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning safety-enhancing technologies.
A driver's car
The Lucerne Super is a driver's car, thanks in part to its increased horsepower, enhanced chassis tuning and steering precision.
The Northstar V-8 engine produces 292 horsepower and 288 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine's added power improves launch-acceleration and vehicle-passing capabilities. New premium steering components give the Lucerne Super improved steering precision and responsiveness.
Lucerne Super's chassis was further tuned for a more agile ride and performance. A key enabler of the chassis is Lucerne Super's Magnetic Ride Control technology. It has been recalibrated to give even more driver control and performance while further reducing body roll and head toss in cornering and lane changes. The system uses magnetically charged particles suspended in a synthetic fluid to continuously adjust the fluid's viscosity to varying road surfaces and driving characteristics. It provides a quicker response than conventional valve-damping systems, while providing exceptional vehicle control and increased tire contact with the road surface.
In addition to the Super trim, Lucerne is also available in CX (MSRP of $27,520) and CXL (MSRP of $30,165) models. All Lucernes are built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility and come with the industry's best coverage, including a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John 1:39PM (2/04/2008)
I think the price includes the pointy grille surcharge.
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SeattleJeremy 1:45PM (2/04/2008)
You mean the Ferrari 599 (only two 9's)
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TriShield 1:45PM (2/04/2008)
Your grandparents retirement fund just got a bite taken out of it.
Pontiac G8 GT please.
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BLS 1:45PM (2/04/2008)
This would be the trim level to pick up used in a couple years though. So, old dudes buy these now let them depreciate for a couple years and let the people who want a pretty nice big american car have them on the cheap.
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MemphisNET 1:45PM (2/04/2008)
Less powerful, but is the Northstar a more refined/smooth engine? Where is the power? Lower in the band to get this thing moving?
I'm not making excusses, I'd be nice to have an engineer say ''hey, this is why we did this''
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Talis 1:47PM (2/04/2008)
At least it looks like how a Buick is supposed to look.
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sheth 1:49PM (2/04/2008)
$40k aint cheap but its not out of line considering what you get. A loaded CTS is over $45k with RWD. A loaded Avalon is close to $40k. While the Lucerne aint no CTS in the handling department, it is bigger in every respect, cheaper and has a few features you can't get on the CTS so $40k is about right.
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Mike 1:52PM (2/04/2008)
The guys at GM should never have made the lucerne and lacrosse. should have continued with the lesabre and park avenue, continue the buick heritage and just redesign them, not change model names.
Lacrosse Lucerne, wtf kinda name is that?
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Mike 1:54PM (2/04/2008)
cannot compare a CTS with a Lucerne at all. Totally different segment.
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oby 1:54PM (2/04/2008)
What a pity it will fall apart in about 3 years. I'll take the Avalon any day!
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MCS05 1:55PM (2/04/2008)
is this the model with the super modern 4 speed automatic?
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Andrew 1:56PM (2/04/2008)
I'm sure many will appreciate it as a bargain-priced Caddy DTS.
I seriously considered getting a big old American land yacth last year. Lucerne or Five Hundred, or a used DTS or Town Car, and I'm only 28. At the time, I was taking a lot of long highway trips for business, and when you've got eight hours ahead of you, you don't want sporty. You want quiet, smooth, and roomy. They have plenty of power, and they get pretty decent highway mileage. Now that I'm off the road, I've picked up something more age appropriate, a Mazda3 with manual transmission. But for a time I was definitely coming to appreciate the "grandpa cars" I had been previously ridiculing.
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The Other Bob 5:24PM (2/04/2008)
You are a moron.
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John 5:34PM (2/04/2008)
You need to hit the time stamp button now since reply doesn't work. We want to make sure your addressing the proper moron. ;-)
Drew 2:06PM (2/04/2008)
Yeah, with Buick ranking just behind Lexus in reliability, that's bound to happen
The Lucerne outsells everything in it's class except the Chrysler 300 which has lower starting price and higher maxed out price than the Lucerne.
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Anti-believer 2:42PM (2/04/2008)
7hp is not that much too gripe about Autoblog.
It's price different is too hit a different market.
Point blank.
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Menice 2:11PM (2/04/2008)
if i was 60+ i'd drive it.... love the 'its a Buick' port holes.
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Luis 2:15PM (2/04/2008)
Although I'm not the meant market for this car, I sat in one of these at a car show and they are very nice...I'm just not sure they are 40k nice...
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PJ 2:22PM (2/04/2008)
I don't see the point of this exercise; hooking a relatively peaky V8 like the Northstar to a gappy four-speed auto nets V6-like performance in routine driving. This combo has been tanking on the market since the Bonneville GXP.
Still, $32-35K after the inevitable rebates isn't bad.
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j_diesel 7:07AM (2/05/2008)
have you ever owned or driven a northstar? does a transmission need to have 6 forward speeds to be cool enough for you to drive?
ok:
V8 northstar (not super model)
275hp@6000rpm-295ft lbs@4400rpm
3.5L V6 (toyota avalon)
268hp@6200rpm-248ft lbs@4700rpm
i don't think the northstar is too "peaky". most of it's torque is available from approximately 2000rpm right up to max hp. the GM heavy duty 4 speed transaxle has come a long way from '93. it's an excellent transmission.
i don't understand your comment about V6 performance in everyday driving. i can make a V6 perform like an inline four if i take it easy on the throttle. maybe you drive full out where you live?
i think this car will do low volume but just enough to justify it's existence. the second hand market is where it will be sought after.