Verdict
C
← Buick Park Avenue / Lucerne · 2006-2011 · G-body H
Buick Park Avenue / Lucerne (2006-2011)
Northstar V8 option (only Buick with Cadillac V8). 3.9L V6 base. FWD luxury sedan to the end.
BHP
227-292 bhp
0–60
7.0 s
Top speed
130 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
$5,000-$13,000
G-platform H-body — successor architecture replacing the K-body Park Avenue. Engine options: LZ9 3.9L V6 NA (227 hp) base; Northstar 4.6L L26 V8 (275 hp 2006-2007, 292 hp 2008-2011) on CXL/Super/CXS trims. Four-speed Hydra-Matic 4T65E automatic on V6, four-speed 4T80E with V8. FWD only. Magnetic Ride Control optional. Air suspension optional. Standard equipment included full leather, dual-zone climate, heated seats, Bose audio. The Lucerne is uniquely the only Buick ever fitted with the Cadillac Northstar V8 — a development decision that made the Lucerne CXS a 292-hp luxury sedan with the same engine as the Cadillac DTS. Production at GM Detroit-Hamtramck. Discontinued 2011 with no successor — Buick exited the full-size sedan segment to focus on LaCrosse and SUVs. Now affordable used; Northstar V8 cars are the cult enthusiast pick.
Strengths
- Only Buick with Cadillac Northstar V8
- 275-292 hp on Super/CXS trims
- Magnetic Ride Control / Air suspension optional
- Comfortable luxury cruising
- Cheap depreciation-bombed pricing
Weaknesses
- FWD only despite V8 option
- Four-speed automatic dated by mid-cycle
- Northstar head gasket failures (V8)
- Cabin tech now decade-old
- Discontinued — orphaned model line
Notable tech
- Northstar 4.6L V8 (275-292 hp on CXS)
- Magnetic Ride Control optional
- Air suspension optional
- 4T80E four-speed automatic with V8
- Bose audio standard
Common issues
- Northstar head gasket failures (V8 cars)
- Northstar oil consumption with age
- Magnetic damper actuator failures
- Air suspension air-spring leaks
- Power steering pump leaks
Used-market budget
$8,000
V6 cars $5-8k. Northstar V8 (Super, CXS) cars $7-13k+ for clean low-mile examples. Documented Northstar cooling service is critical.