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2009 Buick Lucerne Safety Review

February 22, 2009

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

lane-departure warning and blind-spot detection systems" are "mildly useful.
AutoWeek

Good," frontal-offset impacts; "acceptable," side impacts
IIHS

Five stars, front impact protection and rollover resistance; four stars, side impact protection
NHTSA

The 2009 Buick Lucerne has crash-test scores that are decent—though not noteworthy in a positive sense—for such a large, overtly secure-feeling sedan. Feature-wise, to the editors of TheCarConnection.com, the Lucerne is hit and miss with respect to safety features. The base CX model, which stickers at more than $30,000, doesn’t include electronic stability control, an active safety feature that helps avoid accidents. However there are several high-tech active-safety options that help redeem top-of-the-line Lucernes.

Crash-test ratings are strictly middle-of-the-road for a big sedan. The 2009 Buick Lucerne got four- and five-star results in crash tests administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and “good" and "acceptable" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for frontal and side crash protection, respectively.

The Buick Lucerne's "Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and an electronic stability system are optional," reports Cars.com. "Six airbags are standard in all Buick Lucernes, including side-impact and side curtain airbags," along with "all-disc antilock brakes."

"Lane-departure warning and blind-spot detection systems" are "mildly useful,” says  AutoWeek, also noting that "unlike the lane-departure system offered by Infiniti, the one Buick uses is not nearly as intrusive."

Conclusion

The 2009 Buick Lucerne doesn’t hit all the right bases here, but it’s still a safe choice.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:lane-departure warning and blind-spot detection systems" are "mildly useful.AutoWeekGood," frontal-offset impacts; "acceptable," side impactsIIHSFive stars, front impact protection and rollover resistance; four stars, side impact protectionNHTSA The 2009 Buick Lucerne has crash-test scores that are decent—though not noteworthy in a positive sense—for such a large, overtly secure-feeling sedan. Feature-wise, to the editors of TheCarConnection.com, the Lucerne is hit and miss with respect to safety features. The base CX model, which stickers at more than $30,000, doesn’t include electronic stability control, an active safety feature that helps avoid accidents. However there are several high-tech active-safety options that help redeem top-of-the-line Lucernes. Crash-test ratings are strictly middle-of-the-road for a big sedan. The 2009 Buick Lucerne got four- and five-star results in crash tests administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and “good" and "acceptable" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for frontal and side crash protection, respectively. The Buick Lucerne's "Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and an electronic stability system are optional," reports Cars.com. "Six airbags are standard in all Buick Lucernes, including side-impact and side curtain airbags," along with "all-disc antilock brakes." "Lane-departure warning and blind-spot detection systems" are "mildly useful,” says  AutoWeek, also noting that "unlike the lane-departure system offered by Infiniti, the one Buick uses is not nearly as intrusive." ConclusionThe 2009 Buick Lucerne doesn’t hit all the right bases here, but it’s still a safe choice.  2009 BUICK LUCERNE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “The sleek roofline holds a distinctively-shaped rear pillar" Autoblog: "interior wraps occupants in luxury Car and Driver: “fresh and appealingly minimal” The 2009 Buick Lucerne blends modern yet conservative ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Mercury Sable is a sibling to the Ford Taurus, though with a slightly dressed-up interior appearance, and we recommend it be kept on the list as Lincoln Mercury dealerships—like Buick dealerships—boast better customer service. There’s also a lot to like about the Sable, including top safety ratings, a good ride, and surprisingly well-planted handling; all-wheel drive is available on the Sable, and its V-6 engine is matched by a more sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission. Both the Toyota Avalon and Hyundai Azera are strong competitors to the big Buick, too, with sedate but stylish interiors and nice, well-controlled ride quality. but only the the Lucerne offers V-8 power. For those who need to have a V-8, the rear- or all-wheel drive Chrysler 300C might be a possibility. It’s not as spacious inside and has a choppier ride, but won’t instantly identify you as a card-carrying AARP member the way that the Lucerne or most of these other sedans might.

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See the Buick Lucerne in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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