Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Buick is one of this country's oldest brands, with a rich tradition of innovation that dates back more than a century. Though long known for catering to retirement-age customers with its full-size sedans, the automaker's lineup now includes SUVs and sport sedans designed to bring younger buyers into the showrooms of Buick dealers.

The company was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, a Scottish industrialist. He built his first car in 1904; called the Model B, it had a two-cylinder engine with an advanced-for-its-time overhead-valve cylinder head design. In 1907, Buick unveiled its first four-cylinder production car, dubbed the Model D. The following year, the Flint, Michigan-based Buick Motor Company was bought by William C. Durant as part of a new company called General Motors. By 1914, all Buicks were built with six-cylinder engines and purchased primarily by upper-class professionals, thus earning the nickname "doctor's cars."

The manufacturer proved itself a trailblazer in the early 1920s when it introduced four-wheel brakes. This technology had been seen before on custom-built cars, but Buick was the first to figure out how to successfully apply it to mass-produced vehicles. Eight-cylinder Buick cars emerged in the 1930s and became immensely popular; these advanced engines received steady improvements for several years. The '30s also saw Buick's introduction of the industry's first rear turn signal to use a flasher.

Models such as the Estate Wagon and the ever-popular Roadmaster kept Buicks happily ensconced in driveways all across the nation in the 1940s. In 1948, Buick introduced Dynaflow, the first torque converter-type automatic transmission offered in U.S. passenger cars. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed Buick continuing to zoom ahead of the curve; it was among the first to offer vehicles with power brakes and steering, and 12-volt electrical systems. The marque was also behind the introduction of the first American V6 passenger car engine and introduced the Riviera personal luxury coupe in the early '60s.

On the whole, though, Buick had made its name as a manufacturer of stately land yachts such as the Electra 225. To meet the changing times, the automaker downsized its full- and midsize models during the 1970s and began offering compact and midsize sedans for the 1980s. During the latter period and into the '90s, Buick changed things up by introducing the Regal Grand National muscle car and Reatta luxury coupe and convertible. But its core product continued to be luxury sedans aimed at an older audience.

Today, Buick specializes in sedans and crossover SUVs and is modifying its philosophy in the hopes of attracting younger buyers. Luxury and class are still common themes, but newer models have European influences in their handling and ride dynamics. As such, many modern Buicks, such as the compact Verano sedan provide a more entertaining drive and more contemporary styling than people might expect from this "old" nameplate.

User Reviews:

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  grand dad car - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Anderson - January 21 - 7:00 pm

  one of the best cars I have every owned have a 2000 with 396000 miles not done any work to engine

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  niece style - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By sonny - January 19 - 12:29 pm

  good rideing car,handling is good,

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  One of the best vehicles Ive ever owned - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By Ernie S. - January 18 - 8:25 am

  Next to my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan this is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Comfortable, decent gas mileage, minimal regular maintenance costs and the only one major expense was needing front and rear pads and rotors at the same time. I get it serviced every 3-4,000 miles, rotate tires often (3rd set in place at the moment) and drive it daily (127K and still going strong). My only complaint is a dashboard squeak Ive had for ages and cant seem to locate. I wish they still made this model for when Im ready again.

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  Out of 6 BMWs and 6 Mercedes, my FAVORITE - 2000 Buick Regal
  By Jerry - January 14 - 9:53 pm

  Ive owned 6 BMWs and 6 Mercedes, and I expect a LOT from my cars. I bought my LSE after getting fed up with being $1000d to death by Mercedes and BMW. Thought Id give a Buick a try, but wasnt really expecting much, considering it was a, well, BUICK. Boy, was I surprised! This is my favorite car ever, and I dont say that lightly. Gets 32 mpg on long trips, has the touring suspension and corners like its on rails. As most Mercedes owners will admit, the cruise control and A/C are unreliable at best. This dual zone automatic climate control is faultless, EVERYTHING ALWAYS WORKS as it should, and this car is really loaded up with options like a Cadillac. It is absolutely reliable, smooth riding, good power, and fun to drive. Mercedes could learn a thing or two from this cars reliability, so could BMW.

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  Best Car Ever I Had - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Mark - January 12 - 6:57 pm

  This is the Most Fun best Driving car I Every Had. I Bought 1999 Buick regal GS brand spanking new. It was still on the truck when i called the dealership. Took it for a test drive and the supercharger kicked in, WOW. The Leather seats never ripped, radio, windows ,ac and all the power never stopped working. I only ran Mobil 1 oil and Trans fluid. After 200,000 we had some transmission work but after 248,000 the engine just quit. But up till then it still got 28 mph on the highway to work. After 16 years this has been the Best Ever, only bad was the Premium Gas.

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  Love it....just purchased! - 2015 Buick Verano
  By Horton - January 8 - 9:26 am

  I have been looking for a new car for 6 months ....I test drove a 2016 Chevy Malibu, 2013 Lexus 350, 2015 Nissan Altima, 2015 Acura ILX, 2012 Cadillac SRX, and a 2015 Kia Optima and my Certified Buick Verano by far was the most comfortable, well appointed, sleek looking car for the price of all of these. Very satisfied with my Certified Buick Verano!

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  New Buick Enclave owner-first road trip-AWESOME!! - 2015 Buick Enclave
  By DMZ - December 29 - 10:23 pm

  Had 05 Rendezvous for 11 years/134K - great service out of this car. Wife has a 10 LaCrosse that we love. With "in stock the longest" discount plus, we were able to purchase a 15 Buick Enclave Premium. What a beautiful car! And it is loaded! Just took our first family road trip in it - 700 miles RT. Wonderful experience. After 7 hours of driving, not even fatigued upon arrival! Smooth, very quiet, solid, confident ride (was that a bump we just went over?). And quite stylish especially with 20" wheels. Car sits just high enough for perfect lookout height and visibility on the road. The blind spot monitor system is a huge safety assistance tool on the interstate. Extremely comfortable front seats with heated/cooled feature. I am 6-4" tall and enjoy the spaciousness in the drivers seat area. The console sitting low contributes to open feel. Telescopic and tilt provision allows for just the right positioning of the steering wheel - and the seat positioning controls allows for just enough options in getting it right. Other brands offering a bit of overkill with seat adjustments IMHO. Beautiful sounding Bose system - natural production of sound. Not a fan of over-punchy, bass rumble systems other brands are offering. Had third row folded down and that provided a cavernous amount of space for our luggage, Christmas gifts, and still plenty of room for our mid-size dog carrier in the back. At 6-4", I appreciate that I can walk under the liftgate when it is open without banging my head. I test drove the newly designed Lincoln MKX and that was one of a number of issues I had with that car. VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CAR!! If anything, should have a push button start like our six year old LaCrosse. Looking forward to many more road trips in this car but in the meantime, I will enjoy my commute to work everyday in this premium automobile. Buick should bring back their tag line from years ago - "...because how you get there is as important as where youre going." Bravo, Buick...

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  love this car - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By jackie giaccetti - December 28 - 11:02 am

  I love everything about this car with one exception. It has terrible blind spots! I have the blinds spot alert which is great for sides but the side bar between front windshield and side windows is still hazardous as i found out 2 days ago. Totalled my cat and even though i love the car overall, i am hesitant to get another one just for that reason

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  Durable, Safe, and Comfortable - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By JR Thompson - December 25 - 8:37 pm

  Excellent ride & surprisingly good on gas!

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  My first Buick, not my Dads car - 2014 Buick LaCrosse
  By M.King - December 10 - 10:57 pm

  Well, after owning several foreign cars including BMW, Mercedes...upper scale american, Lincoln, Cadillac... I was trying hard not to like this car, its a BUICK! I was so wrong, in love with this car! It handles well, plenty of pep and has just as many if not more gadgets than some of the foreign cars Ive had. Gas mileage is a shocker...great on the interstate! I get a lot of compliments even. I absolutely love a Mercedes S class but for the difference in money the Buick holds its place in luxury feel. And maintenance is half the cost also. If you want all the toys and a comfortable car do not miss the Lacrosse when shopping for your next car. Get all options and youll love your purchase. The only option mine lacks is back seat dvd , single, didnt need it. But enjoy the car immensely! Happy hunting..