Although Buick ranks as one of the oldest marques at General Motors, its slate of products for 2006 contains some of the newest GM models. Buick's 2006 models include two new sedans and three different wagons. Latest nameplate Lucerne, is a sleek entry-luxury sedan with optional V8 power.

This mid-size sedan emerged in 2005 as the replacement for Century and Regal in Buick's line. For 2006, LaCrosse gains more standard safety features such as curtain-style side air bags plus an anti-lock brake system (ABS). Buick laces LaCrosse's cabin with bright touches of chrome and brush aluminum, accents in burl wood and a generous supply of soft-touch material covering dash and doors. There are seats for five or six.

The six-seat version sets a bench for three in front of the three-place back bench, while a five-seat arrangement applies twin front buckets divided by a console with padded armrest. Two trims -- LaCrosse CX and elegant CXL -- pull power from a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 200 hp, while LaCrosse CXS stocks an aluminum 3.6-liter V6 spiked to 240 hp. GM's StabiliTrak, URPA and a remote starter device are options.

This big new four-door sedan with front-wheel-drive (FWD) traction replaces LeSabre in Buick's line and brings luxurious appointments and high-tech mechanical components like GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension and StabiliTrak skid controls. It stocks a V6 or V8 engine, seats for five or six and innovations for safety and security. Styling is smooth with ripe lines and a bold face with chrome-rimmed grille.

The cabin, engineered with Buick's QuietTuning measures for noise damping, contains fancy gear like heated/cooled front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a remote starter and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA), plus a Harman Kardon stereo audio with nine speakers and six-disc CD/MP3 player. Powertrains include a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 197 hp or a 4.6-liter V8 with 275 hp. Trims begin with Lucerne CX stocking the V6 and continue with uplevel CXL offering the V8 but culminate at deluxe CXS with the V8 standard.

Buick's five-door SUV tips toward luxury with deluxe appointments like leather upholstery. It supplies a six-cylinder or V8 powertrain and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or AWD traction. Rainier's standard engine is a 4.6-liter in-line-six that nets 291 hp. A 5.3-liter V8 gains GM's Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology to pare the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process when boosted power is not needed.

The V8 produces 300 hp. Rainier's face for 2006 shows a revised grille design and revised paint colors like Dark Garnet Metallic. In the cabin, front bucket seats flank a central console. Seatback on the rear bench splits and folds to add room in the cargo bay. Rainier has a high level of standard equipment like StabiliTrak, OnStar and a DVD-based navigation system. Options range from heated seats to adjustable floor pedals and a Bose audio system with CD changer. (CONTINUE...)