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"           Back in the day, Buick was the quintessential American step-up luxury car \u2014 a stylish, large sedan, usually with V-8 power, that appealed to the professional class, usually doctors and lawyers. The 2006 Lucerne is a serious attempt to recapture some of that magic and transform Buick from a dowdy domestic into a luxury liner that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Lexus.   The Lucerne is an all-new entry for Buick replacing both the LeSabre and Park Avenue, but uses some familiar architecture beneath the skin \u2014 the tried-and-true mechanicals that underpin the front-drive Cadillac DTS. In the process, Buick has returned the V-8 to its car lineup, the first application since the Roadmaster&amp;#039;s demise in 1996.   From a design perspective, the Lucerne is much more expressive than the DTS and the Buicks it replaces. The shape features a steeply raked rear window, a more aggressively shaped grille and large headlamps, clean flanks and dressy body jewelry that includes chromed door pulls and the venerable portholes \u2014 four on each side to denote the presence of the 275-bhp 4.6-liter Northstar V-8, three for the 197-bhp 3.8-liter pushrod V-6. While more expressive, additional work is in order to make the Buick face more distinctive. The grille and headlamps are larger, but the look is too soft and rounded to make a strong impression. Likewise, the rear of the car is almost too clean and mimics the rear of the Volkswagen Passat/Phaeton. Even the larger Buick tri-shield logo looks oddly VW-ish from a distance. Perhaps it&amp;#039;s time to bring back cloisonn\u00E9 badging.   Inside, Buick has learned lessons from that German automaker. The materials are top-notch, the design is clean and elegant and represents a huge step forward for GM in cabin appointments. Small items, like passenger grab handles and coat hooks, feature damped hinging. The seats are large and comfortable; however, a bit more lateral support is needed to match the car&amp;#039;s athletic dynamics. The instruments are clear and simple and the controls are straightforward and easy to use. There is a distinct lack of clutter, which makes for a peaceful driving environment, something that is a breath of fresh air in a world gone mad with gimmicks.   The Lucerne comes in three trim levels: The base CX and CXL models are offered with a V-6, while the Northstar is optional in the mid-level CXL and standard in the CXS. All engines are mated to 4-speed automatic transmissions driving the front wheels.   Besides marking the return of the V-8 to Buick cars, the CXS is the first application of magnetic ride technology for the division. These magnetically charged shocks change the viscosity of their fluid in milliseconds, allowing for a compliant ride with virtually no body lean. The CXS has a supple ride and yet minimal roll to provide a solid base for flat cornering. The only disadvantage is tire slap over irregular surfaces. It&amp;#039;s surreal \u2014 you hear the rubber pounding the pavement and yet none of the impacts are transmitted to the cabin.   Almost as eye-opening as magnetic ride is the traditional suspension setup in the V-8 version of the CXL. Buicks in the past have been lambasted for floaty rides, but there is none of that in this new model. Although there is a bit more lean in the CXL, the motions are well-controlled, the steering is balanced and provides the right kind of feedback that encourages you to push the Lucerne hard. There&amp;#039;s no flop, squat or pitching to be found in this suspension.   An added bonus is the &amp;quot;quiet tuning&amp;quot; of the body. Engineers have put tremendous efforts into controlling noise/vibration/harshness through the use of Quiet Steel, laminated glass and foam insulation to reduce cabin noise to Lexus levels.   While taking aim at the luxury segment, Buick has kept a tight rein on pricing. The base CX V-6 starts at $26,990, the V-8 CXL stickers at $30,990, and the CXS is priced at $35,990. The Lucerne&amp;#039;s solid body, big passenger compartment and able road manners might just be the prescription Buick needs to lure doctors back from luxury imports. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a11515/buick-lucerne/>