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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  Best car I ever owned - 1992 Buick Roadmaster
  By mark - October 3 - 6:17 pm

  Great car. Handles great, drives great. Good gas mileage for a big car. Most comfortable car Ive been in, in a long time. I love my car

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  What a Car! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Bizman - October 2 - 12:27 pm

  I really love the looks of the car inside and out. I know that GM has finally started making great cars again that can compete with any make. It is a driving dream and the first trip we received 33 mpg at 60 mph on cruise. Nothing to complain about. I had looked at a Honda Accord and felt I was getting more vehicle for my dollar with the Buick.

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  Buick LaCrosse Super - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Super LaCrosse - September 29 - 11:46 am

  I purchased my first Buick in December 2007. I chose a LaCrosse CXS. After owning a Olds Intrigue, I wanted to see what Buick had to offer. What a surprise. I loved my Lacrosse with the V-6. It had power, luxury and was so much better built than my Olds. I heard that Buick was going to build the Super, so I waited and bought the one off the showroom floor. I gave my CXS to my son,he loves it and he is 21. What a wonderful car!. Buick and GM have finally put together a complete package of power,luxury,value and overall satisfaction you will not regret. I find my Super to be smooth comfortable and fun to drive. I like it better than my Caddy STS.This is no old man car, I drive 140 miles a day.

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  2001 Regal GS Olympic Special Model - 2001 Buick Regal
  By ElGavilan - September 27 - 7:55 pm

  Very rapid but only if needed via Supercharger. Decent gas mileage: 20.5 city, as high as 29 highway (normally about 27). Great car. Very pleasing to look at. Handles well and goes very fast with terrific acceleration upon request.

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  03 Buick Ultra - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Buick03 - September 26 - 9:33 pm

  This Buick Ultra really looks good to me. It has some "sparkle" to it. I like the quiet ride and wonderful radio sound. Handles very good, and wonderful engine. I have had older Park Ave Ultras, and they have been great cars!

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  Tear in my Beer - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sharon - September 22 - 1:42 am

  This was my first SUV purchase and I was very happy The ride is smooth and enjoyable to drive. The vehicle is large and adequate to fit our family of six our dog.

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  Ultra! - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Drew - September 17 - 7:30 pm

  i love this car. I dont know how the regular Park Ave is but the Ultra is awesome. The supercharger is such a convienience not to add I rarely loos the random red light races. I get 28 miles to the gallon which is great. It gets the best fuel economy in its class. If you dont have one I suggest you look into it. Great car all around.

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  Awesome - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By lisa m - September 14 - 8:56 pm

  Great car. I have had this car since 1997. I have driven to date 233,335. Amazing huh? Very roomy and reliable.

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  1998 Park Avenue - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By Bobby Hood - September 14 - 8:36 pm

  This car has given excellent service over the last four years. It has only had two major failures both of which had to do with the plenium (intake manifold) rupturing and dumping water on the pistons. Neither instance seemed to have harmed performance in any way. The only other problem--last week the power steering unit fell off. I do not remember any specific thing I may have hit in the road that could have broken the bolts, but the car has had a couple of jolts from things which I ran over at high speed. One of which was the recap off a truck tire at night. It did warp a rim. Its cranked right away (179,000 miles) and it has been a great road car.

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  1.5 years old - Favorite car I ever had! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Realtours - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Love it! Everything - enough said.