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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  Fuel Smell - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By fueled - September 27 - 4:32 am

  Everything that everyone says about how good this vehicle is, is true. The vehicle itself is great, but mine smells like fuel occasionally when coming to a stop. The exhaust tips are super black and I only have 2500 miles on it. Ive been to the dealer so many times that I will never buy a GM again.

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  runnin the wheels off - 1993 Buick Skylark
  By luvmycar - September 26 - 7:18 pm

  My dad bought this car in the late 90s as a family car. He sold it to me about 5 years ago and it is still going strong. It hugs the road like a teddy bear and I can drive it with confidence in any weather. In the 10 or so years we have had it the totaly repairs have cost less than $1500. My car has 210000k miles on it and the engine is still purring like a kitten. I dont look forward to replacing it because I dont think I will ever find a car more reliable.

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  Nice car, except for electric windows. - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Joe H - September 26 - 1:23 pm

  Comfortable car, good milage for big car, 29 mpg on hiway 21 city. At 60000 miles, had issue with instrument cluster relays, would run battery down. At 65000 rear window regulators failed simultaneously. Now passenger side window does not function. Great car if you dont require fresh air. Hint- if you own a LeSare, dont roll down rear windows, good chance they wont go back up.

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  Last of the great 3800 engines !!! - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By Fred - September 24 - 10:43 am

  Purchased this 2009 Buick Lacrosse in April 2009, after selling my great 2006 LaCrosse to a relative. This new vehicle proved to be as good as my older one. Only reason I bought in 2009 is to get the last of the 3800 engine. Newer engines might have more HP but are no more reliable than this last of a great breed. The vehicle is quite, responsive and very comfortable. My only concern is the fact the battery ran completely down while sitting for 3 days. Dealer found no problem and it has not happened again. Still, there is the concern it might happen when I am a long way from home. The antiquated 4-speed transmission is smooth, responsive and gives as good a mileage as 6-speeds.

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  i cannot complain - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By love_my_lesabre - September 24 - 3:58 am

  i bought this car 3 yeas and 8 months ago. it was used and had a little over 100,000 miles on it. i presently have over 153,000 miles on it. since i have owned it, i had replaced the brake shoes, air filter a few times, tires, have yet to tune it up but it is getting to the point where it could benefit from new plugs. it still gets decent gas mileage, when i first got it, i got 29-30 mpg, now probably about 28mpg on hwy. i am looking for another one and keep this one as a spare car. i hope my next lesabre is as reliable as this one has been.

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  2006 Buick Rendezvous AWD - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob - September 22 - 9:28 pm

  Have had this car for 3 and half years now. Problems, AWD failed in the winter (short in the wiring) failed rear hatch touchpad, leaking transfer case and unreliable fuel gauge. Had to replace table bushings, tie rods, knuckle bushings and both front and rear brakes before reaching 40k. Thank God for the 48 month warranty. I am 54 and do not drive hard or abuse my vehicles. I own a 03 buick century that the wife drives and only had to change the front brakes once in 6 years. Rendezvous quality control stinks and I now understand why they do not make them anymore. When my lease expires in May, it is gone!!

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  Excellent 7 Passenger Crossover - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By JBayer - September 22 - 12:22 pm

  I have owned this for just a couple of weeks and have decided that this is one fine vehicle. Good acceleration and very acceptable gas mileage for its size. The ride is very good. Seats are very comfortable though the 3rd row seat could only accommodate a large adult in the middle seat. The two outer seating position would have to be for smaller adults or kids. All the bells and whistles work great. Plenty of storage area with ac jacks for a game or other brought from home device. If you need to seat 6 or 7 and want something in a very nice and luxurious crossover I can highly recommend the Enclave.

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  Great but watch window assembly - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By smgbjl - September 21 - 4:58 pm

  I bought my Buick new in 2000, it has been great for long trips as well as city driving. Having owned it now for 9 years the only problem Ive encountered is the power window regulators which make the windows go up and down. I had to replace all 4 of them. They run about $400.00 installed. Thank God I sell cars for a living so I got a discount on labor and parts. Other than that one problem the car has been great!

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  Big Mistake - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MP - September 21 - 7:37 am

  Purchased this vehicle with 35,000 miles on it. It was ok for the first year and then one thing after another started to go on this car. It seems to be in the shop every other month and each time costs range from $300 up to over $1000!!!! I am getting rid of this car and most likely wont buy another Buick any time soon!

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  No problems, just fun - 2001 Buick Regal
  By John - September 20 - 10:29 pm

  I bought it new in 01. The one thing that I didnt like was the soft ride especially when cornering. I got this corrected with a set of potenza tires and have found the supercharger more than adequate. No mechanical problems, no squeaks or rattles. I have 147,000 miles now and am considering replacing it with either a lacrosse or a Taurus sho. I might look at used on the sho due to new price.