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:

• 

  2004 Rendezvous CXL AWD - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Schnauzer - December 21 - 10:10 am

  Just bought this car because of the year end closeout and rebates. Got an awesome price. This is my second Buick. So far, so good. The space is great and all the features that came with it are really functional and neat. The 3.5L or 3.6L engine should be the standard. The 3.4L is now old technology. It feels like a very safe vehicle with all the airbags and crumple zones designed into it. I got the fold down third row seat which is handy and recommended.

• 

  A lemon - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Dee - December 19 - 9:23 am

  Our car shakes at speeds over 65 mph. The dealer has changed tires, balanced them and has us running the tires at 29 lbs until the suspension supposedly loosens up. The last time we drove it, the lights in the radio were flickering like a candle was burning behind it(husbands description). If we could get everything to work, we would love it but as it is; we feel we are being asked to put up with a lemon!!!!

• 

  Not just a retirees car - 2002 Buick Century
  By Ed Keck - December 16 - 11:05 pm

  I bought this Buick as I needed a quick replacement for another car. A local dealer found this car with 86K at a very reasonable price. Must have been a salesmans car. Minus a new starter and a gasket seal replacement this car has been a pleasant surprise. I would have NEVER considered driving this car previously, but my circumstances dictated a low cost replacement. The car obtains excellent mileage and is very comfortable to drive. (Even handles fairly well!) The sound system is superb with the concert sound speakers. Steering wheel radio controls are a nice feature too! For the money, insurance cost and room this car fits the bill. I may actually keep this car longer than I planned!

• 

  Buick Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bernie Hartmann - December 8 - 6:07 pm

  I own a 2002 Model and had no problems with the CXL Model. I believe some of your ratings on some Models does not jive with the real performance of these vehicles. We do not find the interior of the Rendezvous that cheap, did you ever try to maintain the wood paneling on a Beamer or Mercedes, it can be a nightmare. And if you have it all scratched up or damaged by any other way, its ugly.So, I like the plain gray interior which willtake a few Kids and a DOg in good stride.

• 

  Buick Scores well - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By J. Mazza - December 7 - 2:35 pm

  Great highway performance. Quiet/solid feel. V8 runs well with reasonable gas milage. Has all the bells one requires for an SUV. excellent radio/Cd sound system. Confortable seats.

• 

  my new buick - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By jerome graham - December 7 - 1:02 pm

  very comfortable seating. driver sits up quite high giving good frontal visibility. not as quiet as a century but not excessive noise. quite peppy for a car this size and limited horsepower. syling is a bit old but fit and finish is excellent. a very good family sedan with a soft quiet ride.

• 

  by - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By ben - December 7 - 12:39 pm

  this is a good van it is a bit small if you get a seven seater you want have the room for there things.

• 

  Classy Ride - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Bob Stack - December 7 - 10:53 am

  Very quiet and smooth car like ride.Lots of city driving so its difficult to judge mileage.V-6 is just OK.

• 

  The best short term lease subcompact crossover! - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Sanjay - December 7 - 1:00 am

  Ive leased the electric blue base model of this car after test driving Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500X and Honda HRV. I wanted a compact car where I can sit slightly above the road and getting in and out would be easy on my lower back. I am a recent graduate and due to less credit history, most dealers rejected lease but the folks at Buick were great - they offered a 2-year lease at a decent price. The car is extremely comfortable and the driver seat comes with electronic adjustments and excellent lumbar support. I cannot find words to stress on how comfortable the driving experience is! Its interiors are great for a base model with leather accented seats, generously sized dashboard buttons and good leg room in rear seats. It also has OnStar care and satellite radio. Its modestly powered by a 1.4L turbo engine which does the job for a FWD. Major concerns about this car is external noise, horrendous bluetooth music playback(the rep told me that bluetooth is for voice only) and flat, muffled sounding speakers.Due to the external noise, i need to turn up the music volume and the speakers just sound bad (remember, this is a base model without the Bose active noise-cancellation setup). Music playback via AUX, radio and CD sound better. I didnt realize that the speakers were bad during the test drive but Ive leased it for 2 years only. Overall, I highly recommend this car in the subcompact crossover segment if youre not too particular about brands or you dont mind a less sporty car. This car scores over all others for driving comfort which mattered the most. If youre thinking about leasing this for 2-3 years, id say it is a definite go, but get the higher end model with sunroof and bose speakers as its so much more fun and exciting to step into your car!

• 

  Good car except - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By blue chip - December 5 - 7:41 pm

  This would be one of the best buicks I have owned except for the transmission. The delay between coast and reacceleration for the trans to engage is maddening especially in traffic.Dealer says it is within spec.and doesnt know how to fix it. Same story from Buick. This will be my last buick.