The interior is clean and tasteful. For 2002, Southern Walnut trim accents the dash and door panels. The cowl curves modestly over the main instruments. Besides its contemporary appearance, this design allows room for a big speedometer and tachometer that are easy to scan. Audio and climate controls use big buttons that are easy to find and operate when the car is in motion, and are visually set off from the rest of the interior by contrasting colors. A trip computer allows the driver to calculate fuel economy and miles-to-empty. It also provides tire pressure, oil level and coolant level information. Two trip odometers are provided, which can be useful on long journeys.

The Ultra adds premium CD sound, leather and power everything, which make the going more pleasant. The Concert Sound III stereo system, standard on Ultra and available on Park Avenue, comes with nine speakers, an amplifier, an integrated antenna system, and steering-wheel controls.

Seating for six is standard, although the front-middle passenger may find the accommodations a little tight. It may make more sense for Ultra buyers to order the individual front seats ($185), which come with a new center console.

Next Generation (reduced force) dual front airbags are standard; so are side-impact airbags. Park Avenue offers strong safety cage construction, and its doors are designed to automatically unlock within 15 seconds of an airbag deployment. Not surprisingly, insurance costs are low compared with other cars.

OnStar, GM's 24-hour on-demand driver assistance and navigation system, is standard on Ultra and optional on the base Park Avenue. So is Personal Choice, a feature that includes individually programmable key fobs that control security feedback, perimeter lighting, delayed locking, and memory settings for door locks, climate control, radio presets, seat adjustments, and inside and outside mirrors.

Park Avenue's trunk is slightly larger than that of the Chrysler Concorde or Lincoln Continental.