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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  Rainier a good choice - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By MHBACH - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the other intermediate sized SUVs Trailblazer, Envoy, and found the Rainier the smoothest and best buy of the three. Most comfort and comfort features.

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  2000 Century - 2000 Buick Century
  By martin p - July 21 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far, its a car that wears GM title with honor.

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  FIVE YEAR REVIEW - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By JOE D - July 20 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT VALUE EXCEPT STEEP DEP [RECIATION

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  Nice Ride, but needs more power - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By wiseone - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The car provides a very smooth ride, but needs more power, especially during initial acceleration when trying to merge into traffic thats moving faster (like freeway entrance ramps). Would prefer if the rear captains chairs didnt have a headrest as the headrest on the right passenger side entirely obstructs the drivers view and creates a dangerous blindspot. Was also disappointed in the fuel economy. The Rendezvous gets worse gas mileage than my Chevy Silverado V8. For the money, though, you get a lot of bells and whistles.

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  nice buick - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bobby663 - July 14 - 4:53 am

  nice buick that shows much promise

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  Very quiet & comfortable - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By alm - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Compared to the GM lineup, the Buick has more elegant feel. It is very quiet and acceleration is smooth.

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  Great 2005 Buick PA - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By jerry - July 12 - 9:43 pm

  Although the car required a few minor adjustments initially, it has proved to be an excellent car. I am pleased with the ride, the overall performance and fuel economy. Having owned several PA"s this one seems to be the best of all. Very pleased.

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  3.6 ltr AWD CXL - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By PaSteve - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we are very happy with the RDZ with the bigger engine (it is not an Ultra)providing strong acceleration and good gas mileage. Storage areas and interior space are excellent. Rear windows roll almost all the way down. Only problem to date is a gas gauge (this is a problem on some of the 2004 model, not earlier years). Viewing while backing up is very difficult due to back pillar design and obstruction. Handling could be tighter, but is good compared to minivans and truck-based SUVs. Leather interior is ok, but not upscale.

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  Thoughts on Century - 2005 Buick Century
  By George Smith - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Car is too light, and suspension system is poor, resulting in disappointing riding quality. The tires must be poor quality, because when taking curves on a road which is slightly crowned, the car feels as though it is about to roll over instead of tires, perhaps design has poor weight distribution. It is necessary to slow down significantly to feel safe, and I dont mean slowing down from 70 to 55, but rather from 45 to 30 for example.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Irby Jones - July 10 - 2:00 am

  What we like the most: comfort on trips, heats up interior instantly in the winter, running board for easy access. Overall a nice car. Limited room in floor of front seat, no visor extensions and speed control acts up when in hills, starts jumping going down hills. No help from GM in a fix so far. Like the car better than the rendevous which we previously owned but has less room and storage than the rendevous.