These three full-size cars (Buick Electra/Park Avenue, Cadillac DeVille/Fleetwood, and Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight) came just eight years after GM's first-wave of downsized full-size cars and represented an even more extreme commitment to reducing the massiveness of American family sedans.

These sedans weighed about 600 pounds less than their predecessors and were about two feet shorter. However, most of their interior dimensions were within an inch of the earlier models. How was this possible? Most importantly, GM switched these vehicles to front wheel drive. This allowed more of the cars' mechanicals to be packaged up front and opened up room in the passenger cabin. Secondly, GM installed smaller engines, and limited the Buick and Olds models to V6 power only. Finally, GM designers wrapped theses sedans in upright, yet aerodynamic bodywork which made excellent use of the available space. As a result of these downsizing efforts, EPA highway fuel economy for these models exceeded 20 mpg for the first time (excluding diesel models). Consumer Guide magazine noted the improved ride and handling capabilities of these cars in its 1989 Used Car Rating Guide.

On the whole, these GM sedans showed that the virtues of traditional American full-size cars could be maintained in smaller, more efficient packages.