1986-1991
Beginning with the 1985 model year, the 2-door sedan was replaced by the Somerset Regal coupe built on the Oldsmobile-developed N-body platform. This generation of compact Buick featured a more upscale and aerodynamic design than its predecessor, incorporating the long-hood/short-deck look popular at the time. With the start of the 1986 model year, it lost the Regal suffix from its name and was known simply as Somerset. The Skylark name was moved to a 4-door sedan version of the Somerset.
The 1986 Skylark would continue to be available as either a Custom or a Limited model. The standard engine would continue to be the 2.5 liter Iron Duke 4, now available with a 5-speed manual transaxle as standard and a 3-speed automatic as an option. A new optional engine would be the fuel-injected Buick-designed 3.0 liter V6 generating 125 hp @ 4900 rpm, replacing the previous 2.8 liter Chevrolet-designed V6s. The 3.0 liter V6 was only available with a 3-speed automatic transaxle.
Beginning with the 1987 model year, the 4-door Skylark would also be available as a sporty T-Type model.
For 1988 models, the Somerset name would be dropped and Buick's 2-door N-body compact would share the Skylark nameplate with their 4-door counterparts. A new engine option for 1988 models would be the fuel-injected Oldsmobile-designed 2.3 liter DOHC Quad-4 4-cylinder engine that produced 150 hp @ 5200 rpm. An S/E package for Custom models would replace the previous T-Type trim.
On 1989 models, a fuel-injected 3.3 liter V6 producing 150 hp @ 5200 rpm replaced the previous 3.0 liter V6. A new LE package would become available on 4-door sedans which featured a vinyl roof that covered part of the rear side windows.
For 1990, a new base Skylark was added, moving the Custom model up, replacing the Limited. The S/E package was replaced by a new Gran Sport 2-door sedan, reviving a name that had not been connected with the Skylark for many years. The LE ("Luxury Edition") sedan would become a full-fledged model. 1991 was the last year the N-bodied Skylarks would be offered and there were few changes from 1990. The only transaxle offered for 1991 was the 3-speed automatic.
Engines
• 1986-1991 Tech-4 2.5 L (151 in³) I4 Supplied by Pontiac
• 1987-1991 Quad-4 2.3 L (138 in³) I4 Supplied by Oldsmobile
• 1986-1988 3300 3.0 L (181 in³)V6
• 1989-1991 3300 3.3 L (204 in³)V6
1992-1998
Radical new wedge-shaped styling appeared in 1992, with a sharply-pointed grille reminiscent of the 1960s model. Others have said the grill was inspired by that of the 1939 Buick. The Skylark's new aerodynamic body had a low 0.319 coefficient of drag, compared to 0.374 for the previous version.
It was initially offered in 2 and 4-door sedan bodystyles and in base and Gran Sport versions. The base engine was the 2.3 liter Quad 4 producing 120 hp @ 5200 rpm. The optional 3.3 liter V6 (standard on the GS) produced 160 hp @ 5200 rpm. All Skylarks came with the 3-speed automatic transaxle.
For the 1993 model year, the base model was replaced by Custom and Limited trims. For 1994, a new 3.1 liter V6 producing 160 hp @ 5200 rpm replaced the previous 3.3 liter V6 as standard on the GS and optional on the others. The Limited coupe was dropped for 1994, but returned for 1995.
Mechanical changes for the 1995 model year included the upgrading of the standard 2.3 liter Quad 4 4-cylinder engine from a SOHC design to a DOHC design that increased horsepower to 150 @ 6000 rpm. The 3-speed automatic transaxle continued to be standard with the base 4-cylinder engine, but a new 4-speed automatic (the electronically-controlled 4T60-E) was now optional with the 4 and standard with the V-6.
It' received a minor facelift for the 1996 model year in the form of a revised and more conventional-looking grill. The previous 2.3 liter 4 was replaced by a new 2.4 liter DOHC 4 that produce 150 hp @ 6000 rpm. The previous 3-speed automatic transaxle was discontinued and the 4-speed automatic was now standard on all Skylarks. OBD II (On-board diagnostic system) was now standard. Buick offered an "Olympic Gold edition" of the 1996 Skylark to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Games. It featured gold USA/5-ring badging on the fenders, gold "Skylark" badges, gold-accented wheel covers, and gold accent trim.
There were only very minor changes to the lineup for the 1997 model year, which was the last year that it would be available for sale to the general public. A single model 1998 Skylark sedan would be produced for fleet-only sales, mostly to auto rental companies. Most of these 1998 models, the last year that Buick used the Skylark name and would produce a compact car, were eventually resold to the general public as used cars. Buick never provided a direct replacement for the car and potential buyers of an entry-level Buick were directed to the mid-sized Century.
The Skylark production line in Lansing was retooled to build the 2000–2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Engines
• 1992-1995 Quad-4 2.3 L (138 in³) I4 Supplied by Oldsmobile
• 1996-1998 LD9 2.4 L (146 in³) I4
• 1992-1993 3300 3.3 L (204 in³) V6
• 1994-1998 3100 3.1 L (191 in³) V6