With its huge cabin, lavish appointmentsthe 2009 Buick Lucerne increases its potential to lure back the coveted import buyer, and more importantly, to attract a younger following.The Lucerne is changing people's mind about the Buick brand. Gone from the company flagship is the stereotypical cushy ride, soft seats and numb steering, replaced by a Cadillac-derived chassis outfitted with two potent engine options and a sophisticated sense of style. Although classified as a "near-luxury" car, the Lucerne's combination of affordable pricing and rich content offers those considering a Lincoln, Acura or Volvo a legitimate alternative with some serious cost savings.

The Lucerne has clearly set the styling theme for the next generation of Buick passenger cars. With a shapely new interpretation of the marque's signature waterfall grille between jewel-like projector-beam headlamps, its look is athletic, graceful and upscale American with a touch of Lexus. Twin under-the-bumper front air intakes sport a single horizontal chrome rib apiece, which are echoed by a slim bright accent along the decklid's lower edge. The sleek roofline holds a distinctively-shaped rear pillar. The wheels fill their wells for a muscular stance, and the portholes are set at a slight angle to accentuate the body's wedgy profile.