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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  Johns ratiing - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By John A McDonnell - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The spacious trunk is a big plus but the sheer comfortable ride is far better than the numerous other cars I have owned/driven. The pick up in this Ultra is great for a familly sedan.

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  Good car - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Don Eisenbraun - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The dials on the dash board are hard to read in bright sun light. But this is the only thing my wife & I have found to be disatisfied with on this vehicle. My wife uses the car for town traffic. I use the car for the once a week trips to Columbus.

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  Buick Smells Like Gas - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Bruce - September 30 - 1:19 am

  I have a 2009 Buick Enclave that I bought brand new in May. I have put 2500 miles on it. I told the dealer after about a week, that I smelled a raw fuel smell inside of the car. I didnt know it smelled from the outside until a friend told me after driving behind me. They tried to say it was the evap system but that smells way too much. The inside fuel smell happens when I turn a sharp corner or come to a stop. My kids, wife and I get sick when we go on a long drive and have headaches and nausea. It is a raw fuel smell. Like unburned fuel. Now even under the Lemon Law, GM wont budge as if Im making this up. Ill never buy a GM again.

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  Meets expectations - 1998 Buick Regal
  By wkb - September 29 - 10:09 pm

  I bought my Regal LS with 17,000 miles on it - previously owned by an elderly couple that rarely drove it very far. Since then I have put 100,000 mostly hwy miles on it and had only two costly repairs: replace valve gaskets @104,000 and replace starter moter @111,000. I try to keep my cars forever and over maintain them, but 10 years is about the limit for a 90s GM car, unfortunately. Little things start adding up: sealed headlights are starting to fog up as moisture gets into them, trunk seals are failing somewhere letting rain in, plastic exterior trim pieces are starting to show their age and lack of quality. Too bad - I think the engine will run forever.

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  2010 Buick Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By norm wibel - September 29 - 1:26 pm

  Needed a "cruiser" to replace my 2003 GMC pick-up. Made up a Likes & Dislikes spreadsheet and went shopping. After many test drives, the Enclave won out. Really like the smoothness the shifting the acceleration/downshifting where my knees rest on a long trip and, the styling. Some vehicles tested had reddish instrument lighting which, was difficult to see during day - and, impossible to see with sunglasses on! So far, at 1200 miles Im averaging 19mpg it usually takes 3000 miles to get a true reading.

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  VERY VERY NICE - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Roy G MO. - September 29 - 2:33 am

  we took a 250 mile highway trip and got 25 mpg wow was that a surprise better then the window sticker posted speed was 60 to 65 mph nice job americans we are proud of what you built

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  Love my Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Julie Wells - September 29 - 1:33 am

  Oldsmobiles and Buicks park avenues have always upstood the times with me. Do not rotate my cars but drive the life out of them. Never owned a SUV until now. Love it. Went to the dealership to see pricing of the Lucerne and was shown the Enclave. Although I am single, after test driving, I knew it was for me. Handles like a car while also wowing my clients. From the stylish exterior to the classy interior, I have enjoy the comfort of driving this since November 2007. I am very pleased with my selection. Gas mileage is improving as I break it in. I get about 22 miles to the gallon on the road. I have driven approx. 8000 miles. I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  2008 Buick CXL 3.8 V-6 - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By EAB - September 28 - 5:20 pm

  Not much of an Automobile. Door Handle pulled out of door at 9000Miles, BBrake rotors warped at 5500 Miles, Dealer wanted to turn rotors and put old Brake Pads back on, Customer was of no assistance, paid for new pads and rotors out of my pocket, I have driven Buicks since 1965 and this is my last GM Car. Will definately buy Lexus Or Toyota Avalon.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 1999 Buick Regal
  By shop247 - September 28 - 11:44 am

  Shes just about past her prime. She has 230k miles on her, we drive 25k a year. It hurts to take her off the road but shes worked long and hard. Never failed to start, even at 3 am on the coldest winter day. This year has been tough on her, Ive sunk close to $3k into her, ac compressor, tie rods, brakes, mass air flow, a blower motor, and a few other little things. Her rack just went and the trannie lines are leaking so its time to let go. I did have to replace the trannie a few years ago at about 150k miles or so. In the last 10 years, Ive replaced the battery once, maybe 2 starters and an alternator.. My mechanic swears the engine on these cars will never die.

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  Not the best looking, but great to own - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Marc - September 27 - 7:44 am

  I recently was going through tough economic times and sold my 04 EB Expedition and bought a 98 Lesabre Custom with 83K. I am an auto technician so I performed all of the basic maintance(drive belt, run Mobil One, transmission filter and fluid to Amsoil, belt tensioner, tune-up, etc). The previous owner replaced the upper intake, brakes, struts & A/C compressor. The car has saved me a great deal of money from lack of monthly payments and getting great gas mileage. A drive to Grandmas(approx 235 miles) and the fuel mileage was 28-29 mpg. Mixed driving I get about 22-24 mpg which beats 11-12 mpg for the Expedition.