Buick Riviera 0–60 Times
The Buick Riviera 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 10 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Buick Riviera is the 1996 Buick Riviera Supercharged Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.10 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 15.40 seconds at 92.1 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Buick Riviera is the 1983 Buick Riviera Convertible, which took 14.80 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 19.70 seconds at 69.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Buick Riviera tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 9.56 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 24.89 seconds at 75.12 mph.
Fastest 0–60
7.10sec
1996 Supercharged Coupe · stock
Average 0–60
9.56sec
Across 10 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
24.89sec
@ 75.1 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
14.80sec
1983 Convertible
Across 10 verified runs, the Buick Riviera ranges from 7.10 to 14.80 seconds 0–60, with a 9.56-second average.
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Buick Riviera Performance Overview
Buick’s Riviera followed a personal-luxury performance arc across 10 verified tests spanning 1964 to 1996. Early cars were the quickest in the record set, led by the first-generation 425 Nailhead models rated at 360 hp. A 1964 Hardtop Coupe reached 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, and the 1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe cut that to 7.2 seconds, establishing the Riviera’s early benchmark. Through the second and third generations, output shifted to engines including the 455, and acceleration settled into the 9-second range, with the 1969 Hardtop Coupe at 9.2 seconds and the 1972 Hardtop Coupe at 9.7.
From the late 1970s into the early 1990s, the Riviera moved toward smaller naturally aspirated V6 power, including the 231 V6, 4.1L V6, LN3, and LG3. That era produced the model’s slowest recorded results, from 10.9 seconds in the 1979 S-Type Coupe to 14.8 seconds in the 1983 Convertible, before improving to 9.9 seconds in the 1989 Coupe.
The final phase brought the Eighth Generation (1995–1999) and the supercharged L67 V6 at 225 hp. In tested form, the 1996 Supercharged Coupe delivered the Riviera’s all-time best 7.1-second 0-60 run and a 15.4-second quarter-mile at 92.1 mph, defining where the model stood at the end of production.
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Buick Riviera 0–60 Times by Generation: First Generation to Eighth Generation
6 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth Generation | 1995–1999 | 7.15s | 7.10s — 1996 Supercharged Coupe | 2 | The Eighth Generation generation (1995–1999) averaged 7.15 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1996 Supercharged Coupe at 7.10 seconds. Output was 225 hp across 3.8L Supercharger V6 configurations. |
| Seventh Generation | 1986–1993 | 10.60s | 9.90s — 1989 Coupe | 2 | The Seventh Generation generation (1986–1993) averaged 10.60 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1989 Coupe at 9.90 seconds. Output was 165 hp across 3.8L V6, 3.8L V8 configurations. |
| Sixth Generation | 1979–1985 | 12.85s | 10.90s — 1979 S-Type Coupe | 2 | The Sixth Generation generation (1979–1985) averaged 12.85 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1979 S-Type Coupe at 10.90 seconds. Output ranged from 115 to 125 hp across 3.8L V6, 4.1L V6 configurations. |
| Third Generation | 1971–1973 | 9.70s | 9.70s — 1972 Hardtop Coupe | 1 | The Third Generation generation (1971–1973) averaged 9.70 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 1972 Hardtop Coupe at 9.70 seconds. Output was 250 hp across 7.5L V8 configurations. |
| Second Generation | 1966–1970 | 9.20s | 9.20s — 1969 Hardtop Coupe | 1 | The Second Generation generation (1966–1970) averaged 9.20 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 1969 Hardtop Coupe at 9.20 seconds. Output was 360 hp across 7.0L V8 configurations. |
| First Generation | 1963–1965 | 7.75s | 7.20s — 1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe | 2 | The First Generation generation (1963–1965) averaged 7.75 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe at 7.20 seconds. Output was 360 hp across 7.0L V8 configurations. |
Eighth Generation
1995–1999
Avg 0–60
7.15s
Fastest
7.10s
Tests
2
1996 Supercharged Coupe
The Eighth Generation generation (1995–1999) averaged 7.15 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1996 Supercharged Coupe at 7.10 seconds. Output was 225 hp across 3.8L Supercharger V6 configurations.
Seventh Generation
1986–1993
Avg 0–60
10.60s
Fastest
9.90s
Tests
2
1989 Coupe
The Seventh Generation generation (1986–1993) averaged 10.60 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1989 Coupe at 9.90 seconds. Output was 165 hp across 3.8L V6, 3.8L V8 configurations.
Sixth Generation
1979–1985
Avg 0–60
12.85s
Fastest
10.90s
Tests
2
1979 S-Type Coupe
The Sixth Generation generation (1979–1985) averaged 12.85 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1979 S-Type Coupe at 10.90 seconds. Output ranged from 115 to 125 hp across 3.8L V6, 4.1L V6 configurations.
Third Generation
1971–1973
Avg 0–60
9.70s
Fastest
9.70s
Tests
1
1972 Hardtop Coupe
The Third Generation generation (1971–1973) averaged 9.70 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 1972 Hardtop Coupe at 9.70 seconds. Output was 250 hp across 7.5L V8 configurations.
Second Generation
1966–1970
Avg 0–60
9.20s
Fastest
9.20s
Tests
1
1969 Hardtop Coupe
The Second Generation generation (1966–1970) averaged 9.20 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 1969 Hardtop Coupe at 9.20 seconds. Output was 360 hp across 7.0L V8 configurations.
First Generation
1963–1965
Avg 0–60
7.75s
Fastest
7.20s
Tests
2
1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe
The First Generation generation (1963–1965) averaged 7.75 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe at 7.20 seconds. Output was 360 hp across 7.0L V8 configurations.
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Buick Riviera 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
10 tests · 10 years
▾
1996 Buick Riviera
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
7.10
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
15.40
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#01
1996 Buick Riviera Supercharged Coupe
7.10sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.40s
¼ mi @ 92.1 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 7.10 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.40 sec
- Trap Speed
- 92.1 mph
- Engine
- 3.8L Supercharger V6
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 4A
- Horsepower
- 225 hp
- Torque
- 275 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,870 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 17.2 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 25 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 10
How we verify Buick Riviera performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Buick Riviera trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Buick Riviera 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Buick Riviera performance FAQs
10 questions
The 1996 Buick Riviera Supercharged Coupe runs 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Its recorded quarter-mile time is 15.4 seconds at 92.1 mph. This version uses Buick’s supercharged 3.8-liter L67 V6 rated at 225 hp and 275 lb-ft, with front-wheel drive and a 3,870-pound curb weight.
For 1996, the recorded Buick Riviera test is the Supercharged Coupe, which reaches 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 15.4 seconds at 92.1 mph. It is powered by a 225-hp, 275-lb-ft supercharged L67 V6 and sends power to the front wheels.
The fastest Buick Riviera on record is the 1996 Supercharged Coupe, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds. It also owns the quickest quarter-mile result at 15.4 seconds with a 92.1-mph trap speed. Across 10 verified Riviera tests, no other version posts a quicker acceleration run.
The fastest stock Buick Riviera is also the 1996 Supercharged Coupe. It reaches 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 15.4 seconds at 92.1 mph. All 10 Riviera tests on record are production vehicles, so the fastest overall result and fastest stock result are the same car.
The Eighth Generation Buick Riviera, sold from 1995 to 1999, averages 7.15 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 recorded tests. Its quickest run is 7.1 seconds by the 1996 Supercharged Coupe. That makes the final Riviera generation the quickest generation on record for straight-line acceleration.
The fastest First Generation Buick Riviera is the 1965 Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe, which reaches 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Across 2 recorded First Generation tests from 1963 to 1965, the average 0-60 time is 7.75 seconds. That makes the earliest Rivieras surprisingly close to the quickest later cars.
The Sixth Generation Buick Riviera, built from 1979 to 1985, averages 12.85 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 recorded tests. Its quickest result is 10.9 seconds from the 1979 S-Type Coupe. That places it well behind the model’s faster First and Eighth Generation acceleration figures.
The Supercharged Coupe is quicker. Across 2 recorded tests, the Buick Riviera Supercharged Coupe averages 7.15 seconds to 60 mph and has a best run of 7.1 seconds. The Hardtop Coupe averages 9.07 seconds across 3 tests, with a best of 8.3 seconds, so the supercharged car holds a clear advantage.
Among Riviera trim patterns with recorded tests, the Supercharged Coupe has the best 0-60 time at 7.1 seconds and averages 7.15 seconds across 2 runs. The only trim pattern slightly behind it is the Gran Sport Hardtop Coupe at 7.2 seconds, while other Riviera trims are slower in verified acceleration testing.
Across all 10 Buick Riviera tests, the average quarter-mile result is 24.89 seconds at 75.1 mph. The quickest Riviera quarter-mile on record is the 1996 Supercharged Coupe at 15.4 seconds and 92.1 mph. That same car is also the fastest Riviera to 60 mph, posting a 7.1-second run.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Buick Riviera can do, not a single marketing claim.
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