2002 Buick Century Review
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By Ted West

Overview

Buick Century is a car you can count on, day after day, mile after mile. It's practical and comfortable, with a smooth ride, good performance, and predictable handling. It even offers a fair amount of luxury for a very practical price. As Buick's best-selling model, Century has established a large and satisfied following.

The Century provides the comfort of a traditional American sedan. The ride quality is soft and its V6 engine is strong but frugal. The interior design is straightforward. Everything is exactly where you think it should be, and everything works exactly how you expect it should work. Its broad bench seats provide plenty stretch-out room, but bucket seats are available.

Model Lineup

Two models of the Century are available: the Custom ($20,285) and the Limited ($23,285).

The Limited is distinguished by Magnasteer variable-effort power steering, leather upholstery, cruise control, the OnStar global positioning and communications system, a driver's side-impact air bag, and other luxury equipment.

A Special Edition package adds a blacked-out grille, black door header moldings, and body-colored fascia and side moldings, heralding a long list of standard luxury equipment. The package costs $1172 on Custom models, but $2050 on Limited models, because in the latter case it also includes 15-inch aluminum wheels.

Special Edition models may be ordered with a Touring Package ($625 on Custom, $500 on Limited) which adds bucket seats and, new for 2002, a center storage console.

Standard on all Century models are keyless remote entry, power locks, daytime running lights with Twilight Sentinel automatic light control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, tire-inflation monitor and theft-deterrent.