Buick’s largest sedan is the luxurious CXS Lucerne, a 5 passenger car with a muscular V-8 engine, a standard StabilTrak traction control system and enough interior comfort features to delight any aspiring executive. Few changes were made for 2007 in the Lucerne, which comes in three trims - the base CX with a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine, the midlevel CXL with either the 3.8-liter or the Northstar 4.6-liter, V-8 engine and the top-of-the-line CXS, which comes only with the V-8 engine. Options added this year are OnStar Directions with turn-by-turn navigation by a live operator guiding you from point to point, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel and a touchscreen navigation system ($1,945) with two free map updates.

Our CXS test-drive added navigation, as well as a package with rear assist (a beep sounds when getting too close to an object while backing up) and remote vehicle starter, which lets you start the car from a distance, giving it a chance to warm up or cool down before you get behind the wheel. It cannot be driven without the key inserted, however. The front-wheel drive Lucerne is built on the same platform as the Cadillac DTS and competes with the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300. Buick has been climbing the J. D. Powers quality charts in recent years, making the Lucerne attractive for long- term ownership and a key player in Buick’s master plan to reshape its passenger car lineup. (Lucerne replaced the Park Avenue and LeSabre).

Ride smoothness comes from the Magnetic Ride Control suspension system using magnetically charged particles suspended in synthetic fluid that adjusts viscosity to match road conditions and driving characteristics. It is very effective a slower speeds, but bouncy over road dips. Stabiltrak helps control, although the over-responsive steering wheel feels fidgety with body lean in sharper turns. Those who buy the CXS, however, are probably wanting to wallow in luxury, not push the car to its limits. Rear seats access easily but don’t fold down; there is a small pass-through for skis, etc. Engine and outside road noise is well muted with Buick’s QuietTuned engineering, giving plenty of voice to the 9-speaker Harmon/Kardon sound system.

Safety features are strong with six standard airbags, including side-impact, roof-rail and a dual-depth front passenger air bag that deploys in one of two shapes. In the event of a crash, OnStar pinpoints the car’s location.