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 Buick Regal - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Kaleta - January 28 - 2:00 am

  The new 2004 Buick Regal leaves much to be desired. It looks very similar to the 2001 that I purchased, however, Buick has once again downsized the vehicle. I get claustrophic sitting in it as my head is too close to the ceiling and side window. In addition, they have seen fit to hook up the sun roof to the rearview mirror so that you cant get an electrochromic mirror without purchasing a sunroof. They also charge you to have ABS now. So much for the consumer being important!

• 

  2004 Buick LeSabre Limited in Arkansas - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By GLD - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Previous Cadillac owner. Buick is a nice car, handles well, quiet ride, good fuel economy, plenty of power, seats not as comfy as Cad, but OK. Overall rating would be good. Purchased because of realiability rating. Cadillac was always in the shop for something, nothing major, but nuisance.

• 

  reliable US full size car - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By fang - January 25 - 2:00 am

  the advantages are: cheaper than Japanese ones (avalon), very comfortable to ride, clean interior design and very fuel efficient GM engine: 3800. But the overall vehicle reliability is so so. I experienced lots of troubles from 53000 to 86000 miles range (ABS, trans solonoid valve, engine gasket, ignition wires and coils, AC blower resitor, etc.)

• 

  Very nice, more room than Regal - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Billjonna - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Starts a bit rougher than my Regal did with the same engine. A bit floaty for suspension. Overall I like it.

• 

  My New Baby - 2003 Buick Regal
  By LeeLee - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I love the ride and handling of this car. It drives like a luxury sedan.

• 

  Reliable, Comfortable and Economical - 2001 Buick Century
  By tomodell - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new three years ago and I am very pleased. Nothing has gone wrong. I especially enjoy the bench seats - I can seat six people in a car that is not really that big. I get 31 mpg on the highway - incredable for a mid-size car. The only improvement I would make would be a little more power. I wish it came with the 3.8 litre engine instead of the 3.1

• 

  Buick Century - 1999 Buick Century
  By Hallee - January 22 - 2:00 am

  No mechanical problems for over 3 years. Puchased new.

• 

  Creaking Strut - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By dispencer - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Car was very comfortable with plenty of leg room but front seat on long all day trips was too soft. At 6,000 miles the front end creaked when car righted itself after a sharp turn. Dealership and Zone Office agreed that it made a noise but refused to correct it. I should have invoked lemon law but sold it soon thereafter. Now I have a DeVille - No more Buicks and this was the third LeSabre but all had rattles especially in the dash.

• 

  BUICK RENDEZVOUS - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By EDWARD J CORRIGAN - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SINCE DEC. I AM NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THE TRACTION AND THE HANDLEING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. I AM NOT TOO IMPRESSED WITH THE TIRES (USR) MY FORD EXPLORER HAD BETTER TRACTION.

• 

  King of the road - 1991 Buick LeSabre
  By Macavele - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Hands down, the best car I have ever driven on the open road. The handling of the car is great, so it looks like my dads car....who cares. I drive 100 miles round trip to work every day and it is with grace!