2005 Buick Allure CXS Road Test

The interior of the Allure is full of comfort and room to stretch out. My tester was equipped with the optional heated, six-way

Front headroom and legroom are generous, although rear headroom is tight for the over-six-foot crowd. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

power bucket seats. These wide, supportive ledges were quite satisfying to spend time in. For the performance-minded though, side bolstering is adequate but not worth a letter home.

For those in need of maximum passenger capacity, the Allure can carry six adults when the buckets are replaced by an available front bench - something that is becoming a rarity these days. Front headroom and legroom are generous, although rear headroom is tight for the over-six-foot crowd, and when those seated up

My tester was equipped with GM's latest and more powerful V6, the 240-hp DOHC 3.6L workhorse. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

front are greedy, rear legroom becomes scarce as well.

Propelling the Allure is a choice between two very capable V6 engines; one has seen a lot of life in various other GM products and one, while smaller in displacement, generates greater power thanks to modern mechanical engineering.

The larger, but weaker, powerplant is the Series III 3.8L (231 cu in) pushrod V6, generating an even 200 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. My tester was equipped with GM's latest and more powerful V6, the DOHC 3.6L (219 cu in) workhorse, which features variable valve timing and kicks out a healthy 240 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of twist.