For the first time in over a decade, Buick is outfitting one of its cars with a V8 engine. In CX guise, the 2006 Lucerne is powered by GM’s oldie-but-a-goody 3.8-liter, overhead valve, 12-valve V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission of similar vintage. Though this powertrain may not be the most technologically advanced, it’s tried and true and gives weight to the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The 2006 Buick Lucerne CX puts 197 horsepower to the front wheels at 5,200 rpm and 227 lb.-ft. of torque kicks in at 3,800 rpm. Regular 87 octane gas works just fine with an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Move up to the 2006 Buick Lucerne CXL and that V6 is still available, but a V8 is also added into the mix for your driving pleasure. It’s a 4.6-liter eight-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams, 32 valves, and 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm backed up by 295 lb.-ft. of twist peaking at 4,400 rpm. The EPA estimates that a V8-equipped Lucerne will travel 17 miles per gallon of premium fuel in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. During our press drive, we recorded 17.2 mpg overall, reaching as high as 22.1 mpg on an extended highway jaunt. A four-speed automatic tranny directs power to the front wheels.

Those wheels are always alloy; the CX gets 16s with 225/60 Bridgestone Insignia tires; CXL models get 17-inch wheels with 235/55 Continental Touring Contact rubber; and the CXS rides on 18s wrapped in 245/50 Bridgestone Turanza tires. Controlling the ride is an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link setup in the rear. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard. All models feature variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes, though V8 models get larger rotors.

What serve to truly differentiate 2006 Buick Lucerne models, aside from obvious visual items, are the magnetic suspension and steering systems. The latter, dubbed Magnasteer, uses an electromagnet to vary steering effort depending on vehicle speed, similar to other speed-sensitive steering systems. The magnetic suspension component, called Magnetic Ride Control, is a bit more unique, and is only offered as part of the CXS model’s standard sport-tuned setup. In short, Magnetic Ride Control uses a special electrically-charged magnetic damper fluid that adjusts shock stiffness thousands of times per second, providing instantaneous response in hard corners and on uneven road surfaces. Featured on the redesigned Corvette and several Cadillac models, this advanced technology single-handedly separates the 2006 Buick Lucerne CXS from images of the ponderous land barges of the past.