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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  Great Car for anyone - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By LeSabre Custom - December 10 - 2:32 pm

  I bought the car from the original owner. I have put 15k miles on it and love it. The car has 132k on it and sound brand new. The window regulators have had to be replaced but I did it my self and it only cost $75 per window. The car handles great in any weather conditions. Im confident the car will go for 200k easy! Under the gas cap their has been some internal rust which is know for these cars. The design stinks if you are under 70. It is a definite "old people" car when you look at it but it does have some get up and go. I took a Lexus Rx 350 w/ no problem. Great Car overall

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  gms great hope - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By aldinero - December 9 - 1:59 pm

  great looks very nice interior and lots of room. ride is quiet not too hard or soft too much torque steer. handling is very good, visibility decent.

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  Great - 1998 Buick Regal
  By cole - December 8 - 11:12 pm

  Im only 18, so I know Im not the typical Buick driver. I had a 98 Toyota Camry, but it was too small and was starting to have problems, so I was looking for something both larger and American made. I found a great deal on this car, with only 53,000 miles on it. Its black, it looks great, I love all the room, it performs well, and it does awesome in the snow. I really like the car, and would pick it over the Camry any day, and because theyre the same year, I feel like I could do a pretty good comparison. 3800 is a great engine, my next car will be a Buick.

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  Great Buick - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By TB - December 7 - 5:18 pm

  I have had this LeSabre for 9 months now, purchased used. It is great for over the road as well as commuting. I average 30-32 mpg, even at interstate speeds. Great ride and very quiet. I was commuting back and forth from Colorado to Nebraska for a time and lots of interstate driving. Very comfortable at 75 mph and 30 mpg as well. I could drive from Greeley to Omaha on one tank, just over 500 miles!

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  Grandmas 97 Buick skylark - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By Terry - December 7 - 1:08 pm

  My Buick Skylark has only 35,000 miles and was my grandmothers from 1997- 2003. After she died I got the car and it is a great little car in perfect shape and reliable--until now. The water pump went and I found out that it takes hours to get to the pump and it costs $$$--$750.00 to replace it-- and a gasket too. Why did Buick design an engine that would be so hard to get to a water pump. The mechanic suggested that as long as you are paying for the cost of labor to get to the water pump you should have several other somewhat related items fixed as well. I called the dealer to verify the extent in reaching the water pump and they verified this issue. Not good.

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  CXL - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By JR - December 5 - 2:46 pm

  This has been one of the best vehicles I ever owned. I own a ES300 and we used this car more because of the comfort and the higher miles per gallon. The exterior is boring, but everything else about the car has been very good. Great power in the V6 and no mechanical problem over the two years I have owned the LaCrosse. I run about 30,000 miles a year and the car has 90,000 miles without any major problems, just change the oil, tranny fuel, gas up and go.

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  Absulutely Stunning Lexus Fighter - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Michael - December 4 - 11:13 pm

  We were in the market for a luxury car and decided to visit the Lexus dealership and Buick/GMC dealership both located here in town. We first went to to see the new Lacrosse which absolutely looked stunning parked outside. As soon as we laid eyes on the interior of this car we were incredibly surprised at the level of beauty, quality and fit/finish. Could not believe this was a Buick. We went to see the high end Lexus LS and although it looks elegant on the outside, the interior looked too plain and didnt feel special. The new Buick will be in our driveway shortly. Check Mate!

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  Great All Around Car - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By MWSTAT - December 3 - 6:49 pm

  This is a great car to drive, its very quiet and smooth. It is very stable on ice & snow, much better than my four wheel drive pickup. The Bose sound system is really sharp & crisp. So far we really love this car.

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  GM Enclave Service stinks for us - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Steve Cone - December 2 - 6:22 am

  Bought an Enclave in 2001. Our mileage very much exceeded warranty mileage. So when the entire amp in the car shorted out, they used mileage as an excuse to deny warranty claim, and dumped the cost to replace a defective amp on us, the consumers. It was a defective amp. They should make the amp vendor suffer the loss. After a Suburban, two Tahoes and this Enclave, its HONDA for me from now on.

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  Great Car - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Miley - December 1 - 5:10 am

  I think Ive heard it before, but it is not your fathers Buick! The ride and handling are great. Its extremely quiet. My only knock would be not being able to purchase the 3.8L engine on the CXS model. The 3.8L was plenty of engine for my 01 LeSabre (for me) and got great mileage for a large car. If the LaCrosse holds up, it will be my best car so far.