Driving Impressions

Buick Park Avenue is powered by GM's proven 3800 Series II V6. This 3.8-liter engine delivers smooth, quiet power and brisk acceleration. The 3800 provides low-rpm getaway power, instant throttle response, and plenty of punch for passing. It's rated at 205 horsepower in the Park Avenue. Ultra gets a supercharged version of this engine that produces 240 horsepower. This yields eye-opening acceleration when the pedal on the right is push all the way down. Do so only if you mean it, and be aware that acceleration from low speeds will tax the traction capability of the front tires. Make sure they're pointed where you want to go. The Ultra's supercharged engine is audible at full throttle, but we think it's worth a little extra noise to enjoy its superior thrust. This Buick can humble those pesky buzzing subcompacts driven by today's kids. This is a front-wheel-drive car. Power is transferred to the front wheels through GM's butter-smooth electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. GM builds some of the best automatics in the business. Park Avenue offers surprisingly good fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway for Park Avenue and 18/28 mpg for the supercharged Ultra. We saw 24 mpg on mixed driving with the Ultra and more than 30 mpg for steady cruising. Wind noise is a mere whisper. Only a slight ruffle of air could be heard around the A-pillars at higher speeds. Road noise is minimized by the stiff unit-body chassis, though some pavements yielded a whine from the low-profile 17-inch tires on our Ultra. The Park Avenue isn't quite as quiet as a $54,000 Lexus LS 430, but the distinctions are academic in most operating situations. The distinction in price is not academic in any situation. There is a discernible difference in handling between the basic Park Avenue and the flagship Ultra. The base model behaves very much according to stodgy Buick tradition, floating atop its wheels, with pronounced body roll and vague power steering. If the Ultra's crisp handling and enhanced performance aren't important to you, then the standard Park Avenue may be the way to go. Standard with 225/60R16 tires, the Park Avenue comes well equipped and stacks up as a good buy among large cars. Ultra offers tighter handling. With its supercharged engine and standard Gran Touring suspension, it can easily take on the best Lincoln and Chrysler have to offer. The Ultra's more positive control and firmer ride lend a contemporary feel that's a pleasant step forward for Buick. Don't expect BMW-like handling, however. The Ultra is tuned to American large-car sensibilities. The Gran Touring suspension includes wider wheels and low-profile Goodyear Eagle LS Touring tires (235/55R17). The stiffer suspension reduces the ride height slightly and yields much sharper responses in quick maneuvers. The tradeoff in ride quality is insignificant. The Gran Touring package is available as an option for the standard Park Avenue ($285) and it's a good buy. It includes not only the upgraded suspension, wheels, and tires but also the leather-wrapped steering wheel and Magnasteer variable-effort steering that come standard on all Ultras. Magnasteer adjusts steering effort and ratio according to vehicle speed and steering angle, keeping effort low while still providing a significantly better sense of where the front wheels are pointed. The system is even dealer-programmable for effort and feedback should you want to tune your steering. StabiliTrak monitors yaw rate (how fast the vehicle is turning) compared to steering-wheel angle (how fast the driver wants the vehicle to turn) and selectively applies the brakes to one or more wheels to help maintain control when there is danger of sliding or skidding. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist ($295) can detect objects that are close behind the car but below trunk-lid level, out of the driver's normal field of vision. Shift into reverse, and the system tra

Final Word

Buick Park Avenue is a comfortable sedan on rough city streets and for long highway jaunts. It offers traditional good looks, class-leading roominess, and many luxury features. Park Avenue Ultra is the best of the line with its supercharged engine and touring suspension. Portholes now signal you've chosen the fast version of the Park.