2002 Buick LeSabre Custom

This modern evolution of Buick's early-'60s 3.8-liter V-6 has long outlived purist criticism that—because it retains simple, easy-to-service pushrods operating its valves instead of more complex and expensive overhead camshafts—it was not "high-tech" enough to compete in the modern marketplace. All it does is continue to delight its owners every day with surprisingly eager performance, remarkable fuel economy and stove-bolt reliability at a highly affordable cost. The 4-speed automatic transmission was nearly transparent, so smooth were its shifts.


EPA economy for this model is 20 mpg city, 29 highway. Even after full-throttle acceleration and testing, our trip computer showed 24.2 mpg average. You will probably do much better.

LeSabres offer either front buckets or a bench for five- or six-passenger accommodation. Ergonomics are delightfully straightforward.

Overall, we found the LeSabre's instrument panel and interior design attractive and ergonomically pleasing; every switch and control is easy to see, reach and operate. Materials, fits and finishes inside our test car were generally good, with one exception: the driver's side woodgrain upper door-panel trim did not align well with its counterpart on the dash, leaving a larger-than-normal gap. The corresponding passenger-side fit was much better.


Because the LeSabre's front seat is a split bench, its shift lever is column-mounted and its center console swings up out of the way, three-abreast seating and true six-passenger capacity—a modern rarity—is achievable. The downside is the bench seat's lack of side and back support compared to form-fitting buckets. Those who prefer long-term seating comfort to passenger capacity can order the optional bucket seats with console shifter.


Especially appreciated were the excellent steering wheel switches for climate and sound system adjustments, three-level sun visors with vanity mirrors and a security lock built into the door-mounted remote trunk-release button. As expected, the trunk was capacious (18 cubic feet) and interior storage was ample in the console, door pockets and a pullout dash drawer.