From the logbook: Buick Lucerne

My image of what used to be a big, traditional American-branded sedan goes back to my grandfather's mid-1970's Oldsmobile Delta 88. It was rear-wheel drive, had a huge trunk, boasted a blindingly-white interior (naturally, since he lived in Florida, like I thought all grandfathers did), and bellowed a terrific V8 roar. Perhaps the closest modern equivalent that's in CR's test fleet is our 2007 Buick Lucerne CXS. Our $38,935 model has the 275-hp, 4.6-liter Northstar V8. (We previously ran a V6 model through our test program.)

How is it faring? Is it perpetuating the old GM sedan feeling of floating along the highway like a dandelion seed in the wind? (Never a fun thing if you suffer from hay fever.) Or is this top-level Lucerne, complete with Magnetic Ride Control, more buttoned down and attached to the road? Here's what we've scribbled so far in the Lucerne's logbook:

"Rides nice and controlled--much better than the previous Lucerne [we tested]."

"Quite noisy on most roads."

"Turning circle is similar to a bus, making it difficult to park and maneuver in a city."

"Smooth, powerful V8, but with some torque steer with a heavy throttle."

"[Handling] is reasonably controlled though it is no way sporty, and the light, vague steering makes it a white-knuckle experience on the highway in tight construction areas."

"Good snow traction with the traction- and stability-control systems, which help keep the car in line and maintain grip."

"'Service air bag' light disappeared after being on for four days."

"Not sure the average American rump can fit in these seats...I'm not all that wide, but I find the driver's seat narrow, unsupportive, and short on thigh support."

"The remote start feature on a five-degree morning is a wonderful thing! And it turns on the seat heaters."

"The dash appearance is disappointing. Do a quick glance [at it] and you'd swear you were driving a $17,000 Chevrolet Cobalt and not a $40,000 Buick."

"I prefer driving this over a Toyota Avalon or Lexus ES350, but they have much nicer interiors and are better values than this Buick."

As testing continues, we'll see if the V8 Lucerne with standard stability control improves on the V6 model we previously tested, especially when it comes to handling since the last model had a tendency to fishtail easily at its limits.

--Mike Quincy