One year after Buick launched its new 2005 LaCrosse mid-size sedan,it follows with the 2006 full-size Lucerne. Sharing the upgraded front-wheel drive architecture of the Cadillac DTS,Lucerne's ride/handling balance is biased toward smooth in the base CX model,sport-sedan responsive and crisp in the top-of-the-line CXS (with Magnetic Ride Control) and appropriately in-between in the mid-range CXL. The standard 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 provides good performance with surprising economy,while the available 275-horsepower 4.6-liter Northstar V8 (also shared with the DTS) offers much more muscle. Targeting,among others,the Lexus ES,General Motors engineers have done an outstanding job of applying Buick's QuietTuning measures to eliminate or filter out virtually all unwanted noise from the spacious,high-quality cabin. Appealing features include heated and cooled front seats and washer fluid heater.