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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  Best US Car Offered - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By David Durrell - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Good value for money. Excellent motorway cruiser, though ponderous in mountains. Excellent traction in snow and ice with FWD. Will return 29-30 MPG at 75 MPH. Big ticket items in drivetrain are flawless at 100K miles. Brakes need work more than I like, but parts are reasonably priced and its easy to work on. Had stiffer shocks installed which helped handling. Not a BMW, but a good trade off wrt running costs.

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  An Underated SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By LenC55 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  When did an SUV mean a gas-guzzling 8 cyl monster that rides like a pickup and gets 10 miles to the gallon? SUV does mean Sport Utility Vehicle, and that is exactly what this is...and its a more luxurious ride than most For a family that has outgrown a van and wants something snazzy but still with the benefits of carrying kids n cargo, this is a great choice. The ride is luxurious, with ON STAR it is safe, and since im not planning on riding the Apallachial Trail the All Wheel Drive is more than adequate. This rides better than the Honda Pilot, the highest rated mid size SUV. Before you buy anything, test drive this. youll enjoy floating down the road.

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  Now that Ive had it a while - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Carl Losapio - November 5 - 6:40 pm

  I rated this car shortly after my purchase, and was optomistic about it. Now that Ive taken it on a 3k trip, I have some opinion changes. While driving it through mountains at 75 mph, I found myself fighting the wheel. This car did not handle well on curves. I felt unsafe driving it. I also noticed that the turning radius is forever. I have trouble pulling into parking spaces because it does not turn sharply enough. It does have enough power but just handles poorly. The cruise feature is the best but I have turned off every other feature because of poor design. Exit/entry feature was designed by a chimp. Seat retracts on exit, but not on entry. If you dont lock this car it stays retracted.

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  Safari - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By deannas - November 5 - 2:00 am

  We had 2 safaris and we love our Rendezvous. We have more cargo storage, and the gas mileage is excellent compared to the vans.

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  Good vehicle - 2000 Buick Century
  By biloma - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I would buy another without a doubt. Not fancy, but comfortable and 33 to 37 MPG with air on. Great small vehicle

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  my first buick - 2003 Buick Century
  By richard meers - November 1 - 2:00 am

  had less than 200 miles on car when it broke down had it towed to dealer and the wrecker broke down with car dealer had car for 4 days was repaired dealer said it was a sensor on crank shaft i dont know about that

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  Real nice car. - 2003 Buick Century
  By rustangracer - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife but some how Ive been driving it more than her. I wasnt crazy about it at first but it was the most car we could get for the money. Its looks are just so so but what really bugs me is that I cant go to town without seeing at least three more Buicks just likt it. Maybe Ill add a strip or something. One thing that I love is that I get 27mpg around town.

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  Buick Century - 2004 Buick Century
  By Johnboy123 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value. Excellent value.

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  Turn signals - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Fred R Mueller - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Turn signals fail to cncel after turn dealer claims it to be set to specs and refuses to repair it.

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  We love it - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sirboss - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Had a lot of things wrong with it very quite ride good handling