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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  Reserved but hopeful - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By David - December 23 - 3:50 pm

  Traded in my wifes beautiful inspiration yellow T-Bird on a Buick...and I questioned our sanity on both purchases. One day after purchase we ventured out on a 1000 mile winery tour and Im happy to say we feel our minds are in fact stable. Im around/in vehicles of all kinds in various stages of their life every day, so my ratings are on a very broad scale of experience. I was suprised by the admirable mpg averages and its ability to make hours behind the wheel pass quickly and comfortably. We have every option but AWD and the Luxury package (folding mirrors, power wheel, and the lighting trick GM killed the Tucker for some 50 years ago), so well see how it all holds up. God Bless!

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  Best Buick ever - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Warren Perkins - December 23 - 3:40 pm

  Very smooth, comfortable, quiet ride. Good low speed torque. Steering & cornering extremely precise. Feels like its on rails. Fun to drive. A great road car. Lots of useful gadgets & options and they all work. Buick can be proud of this one.

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  Engine, Transmission problems at 20K - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Nothappywithbuick - December 23 - 7:16 am

  Ok, its been at the dealer more than at my house for the past 6 weeks. With only 22k miles on it, it needs a new cylinder head, gaskets, etc... just a few weeks ago, it was shifting hard so they reprogrammed the Transmission Module. After owning years of Oldsmobile (Intriges, Alero, Cutlass) I have to say, Im done with GM Junk. Ford or Imports only for me.

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  Great vehicle - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Mr. P. - December 21 - 8:32 pm

  No mechanical issues ever. Solid in all regards. Great mileage at 30+ highway 22 city, most bells & whistles.

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  My Best Car Ever! - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Weichman - December 21 - 6:08 pm

  I have owned Cadillacs, Lincolns and Lexus this car out performs them all and sells for $10,000 less. General Motors has a real winner in this model.

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  Decent Car for family - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By craerz - December 20 - 7:55 am

  I bought this car brand new and have kept up with maintenance. The RDV is pretty reliable under those conditions. Whats gone wrong so far is battery leak, head gasket leak, and recently (after 6 years) the battery and O2 sensor needed replacing. The first two were fixed under warantee so NBD. There was also a recall on the rear lift gate. Oh, and now my gas cartridges are shot on the lift gate. The gas milage started out at 22mpg city and 26 on the road, but now were about 18 city and 22 on the road. Not too bad for a 7-seater. In 2005 we drove this on vacation from Houston, to Sante Fe, to Denver and back to Houston. No problem. We strapped a DVD player to the wide console.

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  First 100,000 Miles - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By James Goodson - December 19 - 5:47 pm

  My first 100,000 miles in this Buick Lucerne CXL have been a truly awesome experience. I changed a rear tailight bulb...and thats it! The only normal wear items have been 1 set of tires and brakes. Great mileage at an average in the mid 20s but 28 on the highway at 70. Not bad for such a large car. The V6 is absolutely bulletproof with a long history for reliability. Motor is adequate, but at 197 horsepower were at the low end of acceptable. The plus side is endless quiet cruising ability. Brakes are very good. My wifes Infiniti lives at the dealer, but we can always rely on the Buick. Im looking forward to the next 100K....unless I buy a 2010 Buick Lacrosse!

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  My Cream Puff Lucerne - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By HPR - December 18 - 10:55 pm

  My Lucerne is a Certified Used Car originally leased for 3 years. The instrument cluster legibility was poor and GM upgraded my 2007 under warranty to the 2009 version with LED lit graphics, lit whenever the ignition is on. Legibility greatly improved. This vehicle is very quiet, smooth and responsive with the 3.8 liter V-6. The powertrain on this model has very high reliability ratings. I can find no fault with this excellent car, and have invested in a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires. The tires are great and enhance cornering and highway performance VS the Continental OEM tires.

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  As good as my marks, not too sure - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By calpilot - December 18 - 7:51 pm

  Great Car, very versatile and looks great. We own a white tricoat and the big problem is the metallic plastic bumper paint chips easily. No dice on getting touch up paint from dealer. We were told that vendors are holding back afraid of GMs financial position and they (vendors) dont want to get caught making products for a bankrupt company. Read other reviews around the internet about all parts for repairs being on long back orders because of limited vendor parts. So far all we are in need of is touch up paint, keeping our fingers crossed that will be all.

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  2004 LeSabre Celebration Edition - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Gary C - December 16 - 9:33 pm

  This is my second Buick. I had a fully loaded 1997 Park Avenue that I loved untill I hit a deer. I looked for another PA but couldnt find one up to my standards so I started looking at LeSabres. I found a 2004 Celebration Edition with 60,xxx miles, one owner local trade in Excellent condition very well maintained. I was hesitant at first because it is smaller than my previous Park Avenue but it blew me away with the interior room and large trunk not to mention all the bells and whistles. Its a fully loaded Limited plus xm radio, chrome wheels, eye cue display, embroidered leather seats and a dealer installed spoiler! 33mpg is standard on highway. Perfect Buick ride and style.