EDMUNDS.COM 2005 BUICK PARK AVENUE
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2005 BUICK PARKAVENUE new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
When shopping for an extra-large, luxury-laden sedan of domestic heritage, it''s hard to go wrong with the shapely Park Avenue.
Pros
Spacious and comfortable interior, strong V6 engine, solid safety scores, good value.
Cons
Floaty ride without Gran Touring package, dated interior design.
What''s New for 2005
A special-edition appearance package and optional 17-inch chrome wheels are the only notable changes for the Park Avenue.
Overview
Introduction:
The Park Avenue has long been a car that offers excellent value and Cadillac-like luxury at a Buick price. Its cushy ride and more-than-adequate performance, combined with a reasonable price, make the Park Avenue a sleeper among high-dollar luxury makes. The Ultra model with its supercharged V6 is really quite fun to drive and wonderfully refined as well. The 2003 model year saw the reinstatement of the "portholes" look in a clear attempt to link today''s Buick with the company''s 40-plus years of design heritage. Although the Park Avenue may lack the latest technology and features, it still provides an appealing blend of performance and comfort for buyers who prefer more traditional designs.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
There are two trim levels: the well-equipped base Park Avenue and the upscale Ultra model. A variety of luxury sedan features are standard on both models, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, cruise control and 10-way power seats for both driver and passenger. The base model comes with an AM/FM stereo with cassette, with the option of adding a CD player, while the Ultra gets the cassette and CD standard. Optional equipment on base models includes a memory package, rain-sensing windshield wipers, traction control, stability control and OnStar. Ultra models include all these features as standard equipment. Additional features optional on both models include a head-up display, rear parking assist and a power sunroof. One particular option that we feel base owners should strongly consider, and Ultra owners will receive as standard, is the Gran Touring package, which adds programmable-effort power steering, a beefier suspension, larger brake rotors and either 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels with touring tires.
Powertrains and Performance:
The base model comes with a 3.8-liter V6 that puts out 205 horsepower. A supercharged version of the same engine is standard in the Ultra that offers 240 hp and considerably more torque for quick takeoff. Both engines are connected to a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Standard models are adequately powered for leisurely driving, while the Ultra delivers surprisingly quick acceleration for its size.
Safety:
The Park Avenue has been awarded high marks in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety''s (IIHS) frontal offset crash tests, and four stars across the board in the National Highway Transportation Safety Association''s (NTHSA) frontal and side-impact crash tests. The Park Avenue''s safety factor is further enhanced with standard seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger. As on most premium GM models, the OnStar mobile communications system is offered, as is the StabiliTrak stability control system for added safety in adverse driving situations.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Although it has been updated over the years, the Park Avenue''s interior sticks with traditional design cues like a broad, flat dashboard and plain analog gauges. The radio features large numbers and dials for easy tuning, but the climate control system can be a bit cumbersome with its numerous push-buttons. Roomy seating areas make the Park Avenue comfortable for adults, while the spacious trunk makes loading luggage a snap.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
This sedan might look sleek, but it''s soft and pudgy underneath. Still, the powerful, but somewhat unrefined, supercharged V6 moves the Park Avenue Ultra to speed with verve. The speed-sensitive steering provides surprisingly good levels of feedback and heft, and the brake pedal offers the proper amount of feel and resistance. When this Buick is equipped with the Gran Touring package, you can expect a firmer ride and better body control.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ BUICK Information Index ] [ SEDAN Information Index ]
|
