1996 Buick Roadmaster Review

Buick's first Riviera arrived in 1963 as a styling masterpiece from the late Bill Mitchell, who was General Motors' flamboyant design chief.

Many Riviera models have come and gone since then, but the current-generation Riviera is the first to have the striking visual impact of the now-classic 1963 ``Riv.''

No other new car looks like the new Riviera, which is something that can't be said for most autos. However, even the new wood trim around the stereo and climate controls in the 1996 model doesn't hide the fact that the dashboard has a rather bland appearance for such a sporty-looking car.

The current Riviera debuted fairly late in the 1995 model year, and thus is little changed for 1996. However, this $29,475 coupe does get an optional ($1,100) supercharged version of the quiet new GM Series II pushrod V-6. It produces 240 horsepower and provides vivid acceleration--hitting 60 m.p.h. in 7.5 seconds and providing lots of punch for merging into fast traffic.

The standard, unsupercharged Riviera Series II V-6 pumps out 205 horsepower and provides strong acceleration (0 to 60 m.p.h. in 8.3 seconds). But the front-wheel-drive Riv is a big, heavy car, and the supercharged engine's additional power and torque provide performance to match the striking styling.

The supercharged V-6 doesn't sound very sporty, but responds much like a strong V-8 and delivers a decent, EPA-estimated 27 m.p.g. on highways.

Estimated city economy is 18, but I couldn't do better than 15 in stop-and-go driving. And the supercharged V-6 calls for costlier high-octane premium gasoline.

The non-supercharged V-6 sounds even less sporty and doesn't offer much better economy: an estimated 19 m.p.g. city and 29 highway. But it runs on cheaper regular-grade fuel.

Both engines work with a smooth, quick-shifting four-speed automatic overdrive transmission that is among the best in the U.S. industry.

There's more to styling and horsepower with today's costlier cars. For instance, the 1996 Riv's standard keyless entry system has a new feature called Personal Choice. With it, the remote entry transmitter can automatically adjust the driver's seat, outside mirrors, automatic door locks, lighting and other accessories to one of two settings.

Buick knows security is a big issue with consumers these days, so the transmitter also has a new ``panic button'' that flashes the Riviera's lights and sounds the horn.

The front-wheel-drive Riviera shares its chassis with Oldsmobile's slick Aurora sedan, and easily accommodates four tall adults and plenty of cargo. But it's one of the longest American two-door models, and its long, heavy doors make entry and exit a problem in tight spots.

You've also got to be fairly athletic to reach across the car to close a door that is open on the opposite side.

The Riviera's variable-assist steering is quick, but has an artificial feel you would never find in, say, a Mercedes or BMW. The 3,722-pound Riviera stops and handles well. But, although you can cover lots of ground quickly, the car lacks the sharp-edged handling of coupes such as the Lexus SC 300.

The Buick is designed more to provide a comfortable ride and isolate passengers from bumps than to offer sporty handling.

The steering wheel blocks some controls, and the speedometer and tachometer are too far apart--although a ``tach,'' which measures engine revolutions per minute, is superfluous in an auto with an automatic transmission and electronic controls that prevent engine overrevving.

It's the general sporty image of the Riv that calls for the tachometer.

The Riviera isn't cheap, but is loaded with equipment, including dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette/CD player and nearly all the power accessories you could think of.

While hardly cheap, the Riviera is less costly than rivals, such as the $44,300 SC 300 or $39,650 Lincoln Mark VIII.

The Riviera's looks, alone, will make it worth the money to many buyers.