Skip to main content

2011
Buick Lucerne

Starts at:
$29,730
Shop options
New 2011 Buick Lucerne
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
Listings near 43272
Change location See all listings

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn CX
    Starts at
    $29,730
    17 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn CXL
    Starts at
    $33,130
    17 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn CXL Premium
    Starts at
    $35,675
    17 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Super *Ltd Avail*
    Starts at
    $44,460
    15 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne 2011 Buick Lucerne

Notable features

227-hp, 3.9-liter V-6
Standard electronic stability system
Available blind spot and lane departure warning systems
Side-impact and side curtain airbags
Optional heated and cooled front seats
Optional remote starter

The good & the bad

The good

Highway poise
Automatic transmission behavior (V-8)
Forward visibility
Trunk space

The bad

Northstar V-8's low-rpm torque (Super trim)
Wide turning circle
No fold-flat backseat
Forgettable face
Rear visibility

Expert 2011 Buick Lucerne review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
The front-wheel-drive Lucerne entry-luxury full-size sedan comes with a V-6 in CX, CXL and EXL trims and a V-8 in the Super trim level. Competitors include the Toyota Avalon.

New for 2011
Buick adds a standard electronic stability system to the Lucerne.

Exterior
Buick promotes the Lucerne’s snug body gaps and tight wheel-to-wheel-well relationships. It has many traditional Buick styling pieces, including a waterfall grille and portholes on the flanks. The Super trim includes special badges, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a specially appointed interior and a grille with bright slats. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 17-inch wheels
  • Super models feature dual exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch wheels
  • Optional chrome finish on Super’s 18-inch wheels
  • Optional remote start
  • Optional parking assist
  • Optional lane departure warning system

Interior
Seating for either five or six occupants is available on lower trims, but Super versions can only seat five. Interior features include:

  • Available eight-way heated front seats, power lumbar, memory settings and a heated leather steering wheel
  • Six-way power front seats standard
  • Optional navigation system and 280-watt nine-speaker audio system

Under the Hood
The Lucerne offers a choice of a V-6 or V-8 engine. Features and specifications include:

  • 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with 288 pounds-feet of torque (Super)
  • 227-hp, 3.9-liter V-6 with 237 pounds-feet of torque (CX, CXL, EXL)
  • V-6 is flex-fuel (E85) capable
  • Both engines use four-speed automatic transmission
  • Super models get a recalibrated suspension that Buick says provides better performance

Safety
Six airbags are standard in all Lucernes. Safety features include:

  • Side-impact and side curtain airbags
  • All-disc antilock brakes
  • Optional park assist and electronic stability system

2011 Buick Lucerne review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
The front-wheel-drive Lucerne entry-luxury full-size sedan comes with a V-6 in CX, CXL and EXL trims and a V-8 in the Super trim level. Competitors include the Toyota Avalon.

New for 2011
Buick adds a standard electronic stability system to the Lucerne.

Exterior
Buick promotes the Lucerne’s snug body gaps and tight wheel-to-wheel-well relationships. It has many traditional Buick styling pieces, including a waterfall grille and portholes on the flanks. The Super trim includes special badges, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a specially appointed interior and a grille with bright slats. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 17-inch wheels
  • Super models feature dual exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch wheels
  • Optional chrome finish on Super’s 18-inch wheels
  • Optional remote start
  • Optional parking assist
  • Optional lane departure warning system

Interior
Seating for either five or six occupants is available on lower trims, but Super versions can only seat five. Interior features include:

  • Available eight-way heated front seats, power lumbar, memory settings and a heated leather steering wheel
  • Six-way power front seats standard
  • Optional navigation system and 280-watt nine-speaker audio system

Under the Hood
The Lucerne offers a choice of a V-6 or V-8 engine. Features and specifications include:

  • 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with 288 pounds-feet of torque (Super)
  • 227-hp, 3.9-liter V-6 with 237 pounds-feet of torque (CX, CXL, EXL)
  • V-6 is flex-fuel (E85) capable
  • Both engines use four-speed automatic transmission
  • Super models get a recalibrated suspension that Buick says provides better performance

Safety
Six airbags are standard in all Lucernes. Safety features include:

  • Side-impact and side curtain airbags
  • All-disc antilock brakes
  • Optional park assist and electronic stability system

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2011 Buick Lucerne base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
4/5
Combined side rating front seat
2/5
Combined side rating rear seat
3/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
2/5
Rollover rating
5/5
Side barrier rating
2/5
Side barrier rating driver
2/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
3/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
4/5
10.1%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
2/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
3/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
4/5
10.1%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain
5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 100,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2011
    4.3
    Buick Lucerne
    Starts at
    $29,730
    17 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2016
    4.8
    Chevrolet Malibu Limited
    Starts at
    $22,565
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2010
    4.2
    Buick Lucerne
    Starts at
    $29,230
    17 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6 FlexFuel
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2014
    4.6
    Chevrolet Impala Limited
    Starts at
    $25,830
    18 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    -
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2009
    4.6
    GMC Envoy
    Starts at
    $30,625
    15 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2008
    4.0
    Chevrolet Cobalt
    Starts at
    $14,410
    22 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas 4-Cyl
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2007
    4.2
    Buick LaCrosse
    Starts at
    $22,415
    20 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2010
    4.2
    Chevrolet Impala
    Starts at
    $24,290
    18 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    6
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
    Try it now

Consumer reviews

4.3 / 5
Based on 41 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.2
Performance 4.2
Value 4.4
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.2

Most recent

  • It;s a Buick

    What can I say---it's a Buick! The ride and overall driver and passinger comfort is unsurpasse ed and even though this vehicle is some 12 plus years old it behaves like a new one. Course maintaining and showing it TLC helps.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most relaible car i've had

    Very clean, comfotable, relaible and ride very smooth. Mechanically in mint condition feel free to test drive it or take it anywhere to inapect. Thank you
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    14 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Runs very well

    I replaced the 2008 model I had owned which had 207,000 miles on it. Very glad to have the same car but newer and a few extra features thrown in. I did have a fair share of repair bills though! Lots of $ if a window stops working or a headlight goes out.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    10 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Love our Buicks!!!

    We bought a used 2009 and got a 2011 last week because we love it so much!! Bought used very fairly priced...safe, smooth ride. Handles in winter weather very well! Drove Park Avenues before this and loved them too lasting forever.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most comfortable car I've owned

    This car is very comfortable and very reliable I would recommend a Buick to anyone. Has lots of room and a large trunk. Overall a wonderful car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I love this car

    Styling, performance, safety features, sound system comfort, all A+. It feels like I’m sitting in first class every time I drive this vehicle. Thanks Buick!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I OWN 3 OF THE 2009 SPECIAL EDITION LUCERNES !!!!!

    These 2009 Buick Lucernes ---- Special Edtion cars are the BEST car I have ever drove and rode in. Mine are FULLY LOADED with over $40000.00 window stickers. The 3.9L motor has alot of power. It will cruise 90 mph all day long. Goes over 500 miles on a FULL tank of gas. I LOVE everything about these cars. John
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Mediocrity at best.

    This car has a 50/50 like,hate for me. Poor gas mileage,visibility,ride,mixed squeaks and rattles.Engine is peppy,driver seat memory,heated steering wheel, and a few other accessories are nice.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Worst of the 5 Buicks I've owned

    6 engine oil leaks, broken motor mount, loose body side molding, poor accelerator response, poor air conditioner, unsafe too slow windshield wipers, ignition key problem, reprogram engine computer, tires were much older than the factory manuf. date. All of this from day one. Dealer tried hard but the design issues were unsurmountable. I will never buy another GM vehicle.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • There?s Park Ave and not exactly

    Buick made the Lucerne to replace the Park Ave/Ultra. I don?t know for sure but I suspect the reason they are no longer in production is because they fall so far short of that goal it?s not even funny. First off the seats are a bucket that is too narrow and too short for true comfort. I?m not a big guy, 175 pounds and 5?11?, so my dissatisfaction with the seats is not that i?m Too big. I bought the car !70 miles from my home and after the 3 hour trip to get back home I was so sore and cramped it took me 2 days to recover. If I could have I would have returned the car. So then I had to spend $600 on a seat modification just to make the car so I could drive it within the region. Other interior issues like the hard cover over the seatbelts are constantly getting bumped by my left elbow funny bone wich isn?t funny. Cup holders are not designed for anything but slender cups (read medium size). Don?t sit a small McDonalds coffee cup with lid attached or you will have a spill to clean since the holder is so deep it tries to swallow the cup. The holder will only fit one cup/mug with a handle. The engine is under powered for 2 lane highway travel if you plan on passing slower moving vehicles. It runs out of power above 70 mph. These cars have a lot of road noise and air noise around the windows, which is wearing on long trips. Fuel mileage will be at the bottom of the EPA rating unless you bump tire pressure up to the maximums as shown on the tires. I?ve tested ride quality at the Buick recommended level and the Goodyear tire maximum level and there?s not a lot of difference. With the higher levels I can average 21mpg. With the lower level only 17mpg. The car is not easy to get into and out of. I have a Nissan 300ZX and it?s actually easier to get in and out due to a longer door that opens further. All of the bells and whistles seem to work well. Although the lane departure feature is overly sensitive. If you get to within 2 feet of a lane line it beeps so you can?t just drive in your lane you have to carefully stay in the middle. If you find yourself in a badly rutted lane and the ruts don?t conform to the lines you have to turn it off or listen to constant beeps. I turn it off mostly so it?s kind of a ?what for?. Bottom line is if you are looking for a Buick ride like the old Park Avenue, you need to keep looking. If you find a car with that kind of comfort and amenities in that price range (adjusted for inflation of course) please let me know. I will add that my wife agrees with all of my complaints but because she finds it easier to park (due to it?s narrower and shorter size) she likes the car. But then she likes most cars as long as they arn?t a Toyota.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • worst car ever

    3.9 engine junk started leaking oil at 65000 miles worked on 3 different times still leaks transmission went out at 102000 alt out at 106000 miles
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I love the leg room in the Lucerne.

    This is my fourth Buick and second Lucerne. It is a great car with a comfortable ride. The car was in fabulous shape with low miles. I'm upset the no longer make them.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

See all news

Buick dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2011 Buick Lucerne?

The 2011 Buick Lucerne is available in 4 trim levels:

  • CX (1 style)
  • CXL (1 style)
  • CXL Premium (1 style)
  • Super (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2011 Buick Lucerne?

The 2011 Buick Lucerne offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2011 Buick Lucerne?

The 2011 Buick Lucerne compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2011 Buick Lucerne reliable?

The 2011 Buick Lucerne has an average reliability rating of 4.2 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2011 Buick Lucerne owners.

Is the 2011 Buick Lucerne a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2011 Buick Lucerne. 80.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.3 / 5
Based on 41 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.2
  • Performance: 4.2
  • Value: 4.4
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.2
Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":"sedan_fullsize","stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Sedan","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":["Flex Fuel Capability"]}]