Which Buick Park Avenue Version Should You Buy?
The Buick Park Avenue catalogue data covers four generations of Sedan models from 1991 through 2012, but choosing among them is mainly a question of engine output, acceleration, boost, weight, and fuel consumption. The 3.8 AT appears in several distinct forms, so horsepower is essential when identifying a version: outputs range from 175 hp to 243 hp.
The Buick Park Avenue catalogue data covers four generations of Sedan models from 1991 through 2012, but choosing among them is mainly a question of engine output, acceleration, boost, weight, and fuel consumption. The 3.8 AT appears in several distinct forms, so horsepower is essential when identifying a version: outputs range from 175 hp to 243 hp. The later third generation changes the choice more substantially, offering a 2.8 AT with 201 hp and a 3.6 AT with 250 hp. For the strongest measured performance, choose the third-generation 3.6 AT: it reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and has a 225 km/h top speed. For the quickest measured acceleration in the catalogue, the 243 hp supercharged 3.8 AT records 7.7 seconds. Buyers prioritizing documented economy should compare the restyled second-generation 3.8 AT versions, because those are the only versions with measured city, highway, and combined consumption.
Buick Park Avenue generations compared
The first-generation Buick Park Avenue, produced from 1991 to 1996, is a Sedan with one version. Its 3.8 AT produces 175 hp and 305 Nm from 3,791 cc. It establishes the specification shared across much of the range: Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped layout, Automatic transmission with 4 gears, and FWD. Acceleration, maximum speed, fuel consumption, weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for this version, limiting direct comparisons.
The second generation runs from 1996 to 2002 and is also a Sedan. It contains four versions, all named 3.8 AT but distinguished by output: 205 hp, 208 hp, 228 hp, and 243 hp. The naturally aspirated choices produce 324 Nm and 312 Nm, while the Compressor versions produce 473 Nm and 380 Nm. This generation therefore offers the widest choice within a single engine displacement, with every version using 3,791 cc, Gasoline, 6 cylinders, a V-shaped layout, Automatic transmission with 4 gears, and FWD.
The second-generation restyling covers 2002 to 2005 and remains part of the second generation rather than becoming a separate generation. It has two Sedan versions: a naturally aspirated 3.8 AT with 208 hp and 312 Nm, and a Compressor 3.8 AT with 243 hp and 380 Nm. Both use the same 3,791 cc displacement, 6-cylinder V-shaped layout, Automatic transmission with 4 gears, and FWD. Their measured fuel-consumption figures make this pair especially useful for buyers comparing everyday running requirements.
The third generation, produced from 2007 to 2012, is a Sedan with two versions. The 2.8 AT makes 201 hp and 265 Nm from 2,792 cc, while the 3.6 AT makes 250 hp and 340 Nm from 3,565 cc. Both are naturally aspirated Gasoline versions with 6 cylinders, a V-shaped layout, Automatic transmission with 4 gears, and FWD. Compared with the 2.8 AT, the 3.6 AT adds 49 hp and 75 Nm, cuts the measured 0–100 km/h time by 2.1 seconds, and raises maximum speed by 20 km/h.
Buick Park Avenue engine specs and horsepower
| Generation and years | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 1991–1996 | 3.8 AT, 175 hp | 175 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation, 1996–2002 | 3.8 AT, 205 hp | 205 hp | 324 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation, 1996–2002 | 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 208 hp | 312 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation, 1996–2002 | 3.8 AT, 228 hp | 228 hp | 473 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation, 1996–2002 | 3.8 AT, 243 hp | 243 hp | 380 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling, 2002–2005 | 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 208 hp | 312 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling, 2002–2005 | 3.8 AT, 243 hp | 243 hp | 380 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Third generation, 2007–2012 | 2.8 AT | 201 hp | 265 Nm | 2,792 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Third generation, 2007–2012 | 3.6 AT | 250 hp | 340 Nm | 3,565 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
Output per litre helps separate engines that look similar on paper. The first-generation 175 hp 3.8 AT produces approximately 46.2 hp per litre. The second-generation 205 hp, 208 hp, 228 hp, and 243 hp 3.8 AT versions produce approximately 54.1, 54.9, 60.1, and 64.1 hp per litre respectively. The third-generation 2.8 AT reaches approximately 72.0 hp per litre, while the 3.6 AT produces approximately 70.1 hp per litre. The 2.8 AT therefore has the highest calculated power per litre, although the 3.6 AT has 49 hp more total output.
Boost also changes the comparison. The second-generation Compressor 3.8 AT with 228 hp has 149 Nm more torque than the naturally aspirated 3.8 AT with 324 Nm, despite sharing the same 3,791 cc displacement. The 243 hp Compressor version has 35 hp and 68 Nm more than the 208 hp naturally aspirated version. Buyers searching for a Buick Park Avenue supercharged version should therefore identify the car by both its 3.8 AT name and its stated horsepower.
Buick Park Avenue performance and mpg
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.8 AT, 175 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 205 hp | 9.5 s | 203 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 9.5 s | 200 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 228 hp, Compressor | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 243 hp, Compressor | 7.7 s | 175 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Restyled second generation 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 9.5 s | 200 km/h | 11.8 l/100 km | 8.1 l/100 km | 9.8 l/100 km |
| Restyled second generation 3.8 AT, 243 hp, Compressor | 7.7 s | not measured | 13.1 l/100 km | 8.7 l/100 km | 10.7 l/100 km |
| Third generation 2.8 AT | 9.9 s | 205 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 3.6 AT | 7.8 s | 225 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Within the restyled second generation, the 243 hp Compressor 3.8 AT reaches 100 km/h 1.8 seconds sooner than the 208 hp 3.8 AT. The trade-off is measured consumption that is 1.3 l/100 km higher in the city, 0.6 l/100 km higher on the highway, and 0.9 l/100 km higher combined. The supercharged version adds 35 hp and 68 Nm, so the extra consumption accompanies a clear performance increase.
The third-generation 3.6 AT is only 0.1 second slower to 100 km/h than the quickest measured 243 hp Compressor 3.8 AT, but its measured maximum speed is 225 km/h. Maximum speed for the restyled 243 hp version is not measured, while the earlier 243 hp version has a measured 175 km/h maximum.
Buick Park Avenue dimensions, weight, and tank capacity
Body dimensions, length, width, height, and wheel sizes are not measured for every Buick Park Avenue version in the supplied catalogue data. Weight and ground-clearance coverage is better for the second generation.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per hp | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.8 AT, 175 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 205 hp | 1,600 kg | 2,120 kg | 7.80 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 1,735 kg | 2,280 kg | 8.34 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 228 hp, Compressor | 1,652 kg | not measured | 7.25 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 243 hp, Compressor | 1,780 kg | 2,280 kg | 7.33 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Restyled second generation 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 1,602 kg | not measured | 7.70 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Restyled second generation 3.8 AT, 243 hp, Compressor | 1,780 kg | 2,280 kg | 7.33 kg/hp | 140 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| Third generation 2.8 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | 70 l | not measured |
| Third generation 3.6 AT | 1,780 kg | 2,280 kg | 7.12 kg/hp | not measured | 70 l | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the third-generation 3.6 AT has the lowest calculated weight per horsepower at approximately 7.12 kg/hp. The second-generation 228 hp Compressor 3.8 AT follows at approximately 7.25 kg/hp, while the 243 hp Compressor 3.8 AT records approximately 7.33 kg/hp. The naturally aspirated second-generation 208 hp 3.8 AT has the highest measured ratio at approximately 8.34 kg/hp.
Which Buick Park Avenue version is the best choice?
Choose the third-generation 3.6 AT when total performance is the priority. Its 250 hp is the highest output in the catalogue, its 340 Nm exceeds the 2.8 AT by 75 Nm, and its 7.8-second acceleration and 225 km/h maximum speed form the strongest complete performance set. It also has the best calculated weight-to-power figure among versions with measured kerb weight.
Choose the third-generation 2.8 AT if naturally aspirated power per litre matters more than outright output. Its approximately 72.0 hp per litre is the highest calculated figure, but its 9.9-second acceleration is the slowest measured result in the range and is 2.1 seconds behind the 3.6 AT.
Choose the restyled second-generation 3.8 AT with 208 hp when documented economy and lower consumption matter more than maximum acceleration. Against the 243 hp Compressor 3.8 AT from the same restyling, it uses 1.3 l/100 km less in the city, 0.6 l/100 km less on the highway, and 0.9 l/100 km less combined. It gives up 35 hp and 68 Nm and takes 1.8 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.
Choose the restyled second-generation 3.8 AT with 243 hp when you want measured supercharged acceleration and can accept the higher documented fuel consumption. It matches the quickest measured 0–100 km/h result of 7.7 seconds and provides both complete consumption figures and measured weight data.
The first-generation 3.8 AT with 175 hp is the least suitable choice for a specification-led comparison because most performance, economy, and dimensional figures are not measured. Its confirmed merits in this dataset are its 3,791 cc Gasoline engine, 175 hp, 305 Nm, 6-cylinder V-shaped layout, Automatic transmission with 4 gears, and FWD. Reliability, problems, engine oil, engine mounts, engine swaps, and sale prices cannot be compared because those facts are not present in the catalogue data.