BUICK Lucerne 2005-2011 Photos, engines & full specs

When launched in 2005 at the Chicago Auto Show, the Buick Lucerne was an all-new sedan named after the elegant Swiss town.

Built on the same platform as the Cadillac DTS, the Buick Lucerne was made by GM in the Detroit plant. The two rode on the same length wheelbase and shared a few features. The most notable was the Magnetic Ride Control, a system that automatically reacted to road conditions and altered the shock damping firmness.

Aesthetically, the Buick Lucerne didn't have the flashiest design. The front fascia featured big headlights at the sides of the iconic waterfall grille - a horizontal oval with many thin, vertical chromed ribs, as well as Buick's staple - the front-fender "ventiports." The Lucerne got four holes for the V-8 engine and three for the V-6 models.

Inside, the Buick Lucerne featured a clean and simple layout, with great attention to the details: its grain vinyl patterns matched the plastics trims used on the dash and door panels. However, the materials' quality seemed to be inconsistent, with some low-grade materials in contrast with the soft leather upholstery and wood trims.

On the bright side, comfort and practicality were Lucerne's most vital points. While the standard version offered seating for five could also be ordered with a different front seating layout, a 40/20/40 split-bench to allow one more passenger. Nevertheless, all passengers enjoyed abundant cushioning and legroom.

Safety was highly considered, with standard equipment consisting of antilock four-wheel disc brakes, traction control, front side-impact airbags, head-protecting side curtain airbags. Stability control and BrakeAssist were available only with the V8 models.