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:

• 

  bad car - 1994 Buick Century
  By reneetori - April 4 - 12:31 pm

  We bought it used for $2600.00 in 2007 and it had 6200. Miles on it. The transmission was replaced 2xs! And the gas mileage was really bad. I have always had used cars and this was by far the worst. We had other problems here but to many to mention.

• 

  Safety is issue - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By John VonBank - March 24 - 10:48 am

  Safety is major concern as power sliding doors tend to not latch and may come off in major accident. Service center have issues that they cannot duplicate and will not spend money to investigate or change parts out not covered by warranty. Left with very unsafe driving condition when transporting grandchildren.

• 

  Rendezvous NOT! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By fear - March 20 - 4:58 pm

  Bought the car as GM Certified, NOT. Serious mechanical problems from the get go. Years later, still having difficulties - car has turned off on the highway fuel gauge changes constantly turn on car and drive but then turn it off and it does NOT restart dangerous, dangerous vehicle.. Now we are stuck with it, who would purchase it from us? GM is NEVER, EVER helpful... No wonder they are losing billions. Should the company ever go bankrupt, just have them survey the car owners.

• 

  Poorly Built, GM deserves its troubles - 2001 Buick Century
  By Publlius Publico - February 27 - 9:54 pm

  We Bought this car because of a previous good experience with a 1997 model. This car is a disaster. This car belongs to a grandma that has it serviced regularly at her local Firestone.THis car rarely get up over 45 mph, It drives to the local stores and back. It had a Catastrophic Transmission failure at 33,000 miles costing 2,500 dollars. The cruise control never worked. too many rattles in the dash board and instrument panel to list. And no at 38,000 miles leaking head / manifold gaskets losing coolant with no warning lights going of due to low coolant level. The low washer fluid light works though!

• 

  never again ! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By smb - February 12 - 9:59 am

  I thought I had made the perfect purchase. Got the car brand new and what I thought was a deal. Less than a month the tires were falling apart. had them replaced. Then, the a/c started making strange noises. The dealership said nothings wrong-- twice! Then last year(2007) we rebuilt the head gasket--very expensive. Now oil leaks and we cant find its source. Looking forward to another vehicle as soon as the negative equitity evens out. Resale value stinks!

• 

  Sows EAR - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jack - February 2 - 4:16 pm

  My 3rd Buick and my Last. This could have been a great car if reliability had been there. Head gasket replaced at 55k and 175k, air conditioning condenser, power steering pump, 3 wheel bearings, 4th gear on transmission failed, rear ball joints replaced. All of these identified by service bulletins but cost me just more than $10,000 in repairs with no relief from GM except the first head gasket. Last jab is being left no residual value on resale. GM makes the mistakes and the customer pays. What a disappointment. GM should learn that reputation not just made on successes but how you handle the failures. In this case GM made the customer pay. Losing market share GM? Wonder why? You shouldnt!

• 

  2006 Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Stan Bowers - January 23 - 5:46 pm

  Have owned (3) Park Avenues in the past 12 years. Looked with anticipation to the Lucerne. Found a vibration throughout that has not been fixed even though wheels were balanced twice. No trunk key entry. Gas filler flap opens when touched. Great for those disposed in siphoning out your gas. Because of recessed instrument panel dials, can not see them in the daylight. Steering is much too stiff. The ride is "harsh" and the noise level is no better than my Camary, or Miata Rides like a pick up truck. Engineers have gone to great lengths to ruin the traditional great ride associated with Buick. Very disappointed in this car and would like to get rid of it as soon as possible.

• 

  Terrible Car - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By Ahagy - December 19 - 12:50 am

  This is actually the worst car Ive ever owned. Since buying it I have had nothing but problems. I had to replace the heater, the air conditioner still doesnt work, the body is in terrible condition and doesnt hold up to anything. Driving in snow in it is a joke, steering locks up and so do the brakes so turning is dangerous and youre lucky if you stop. Im surprised every morning when it starts up. It is definitely not reliable, not something I would ever resell. Because of this car I will never own another buick. Im sticking to Dodge from now on.

• 

  Buick Rendezvous Overall Review - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rendezvous CX - November 9 - 3:30 pm

  We have been very unhappy with this vehicle. The fuel economy has been terrible, average 16 mpg with a mix of highway and city driving. My husband is 64 and when he is driving my children have no room for their legs in the back seat. A car seat is out of the question behind him. We have the split reclining middle row, not sure if this is why. But, my kids absolutely hate this car. Numerous problems, serviced the next day after purchase and should go in again but am to busy and because this is a lease Im leaving with the noisy turns, poor gas mileage, poor leg room for children and the interior roof coming apart in the back. Rear seat belts end up under the folding seat, hard to get.

• 

  Back to Foreign - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Leo - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Thinking Buick was one of the best GM vehicles and wanting to buy American (actually it was Canadian) I purchased this as my first new car ever. Two months after the time warranty expired (3 years but the car had only 29000 miles) I needed a new transmission switch. While fixing the transmission, the mechanic found an air conditioning problem (over $1000) then while repairing the air conditioning found an intake manifold seal problem (over $1000). The catch for partial "goodwill" warranty coverage was allowing them to perform the expensive 30000 mile service. It still cost me over $1000 and the transmission still shifed rough. Fortunately I sold it before something else went wrong.