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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  Great American Car - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Anthony Vrsalovich - September 8 - 3:33 pm

  I have had three Mercs two Audis all mid to upper level. I brought a 2008 Lucerne CSX V8 and I am absolutely delighted with it - and would put it up against any car in its class. With what I have on my car - I would have to have paid a fortune in extras on the foreign models. Ultra quiet, fantastic build quality built to incredible tolerances. The Northstar engine is silky smooth. Very respectable mph for a V8 Exquisite lines no matter what angle you look at it. I would recommend anyone looking at a mid or full size saloon to "a least" take a test drive at your local Buick dealership.

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  Ticners review - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By ticner58 - September 8 - 6:36 am

  Has been nothing but a pleasure to drive. Fuel economy is a plus. Pretty well thought out interior/exterior, but as always, there is room for improvement. We have experienced none of the transmission shifting issue that some of the earlier models had. If you want a performance vehicle, then maybe you better look elsewhere. The motor may be a little underpowered, but is adequate. The ride/quiet interior are just like advertised. We added sunroof, machined aluminum wheels, asst. steps, rear backup sensor, heated washer solvent and remote start to the basic CX model that already had a great standard equipment package. We would buy this vehicle again! Nothing else out there like the Enclave!

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  Love my 2005 Platinum Edition Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Richard - September 8 - 12:06 am

  I said I would never own a minivan, and was in the market for midsize SUV when I saw and test drove my new 2005 Platinum Edition Terraza 4 yrs ago. I fell in love at first sight. Mine is fully decked with every possible option including 17 inch chrome wheels. Ive owned many vehicles in the past, but none of them have been as multi-functional as this big shiny Buick. Whether its used for Home Depot, greenhouses, people hauling thru Rocky Mountains, or driving to the theatre, this van does it with ease and finesse. It has enough power when fully loaded while making my way home from vacations. It does not have the roar of my Mercedes, but I did not buy it for that reason.

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  2nd Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Robin Koykka - September 7 - 2:57 pm

  We really enjoyed our 2002 Rendezvous, owned an HHR and Escape since, and we find ourselves in a Rendezvous again. We love the versatility, the quiet, and the third row. We test drove the new Enclave, but found it hard to justify the price when this CXL has everything including heads up display (HUD). We have done a six week (16,000 km) road trip with the Rendezvous, and it was great. It handled all the terrain with ease. We did the complete Route 66, then West coast, Vancouver, the Rockies, Montana, Yellow Stone, the Black Hills, and headed back East to Midland Ontario all without a hitch. I recommend the Rendezvous CXL to anyone looking for a comfortable, and versatile people hauler.

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  The Skylark I named BUCK - 1992 Buick Skylark
  By Rory - September 7 - 12:12 am

  When I first got this car it ran good. I drove it from Independence IA to Waukesha WI for 2 years without a problem. I moved back to Iowa and I started to realize the waterpump was going out. Had that fixed plus 2 sensors replaced, 1 on the engine and 1 in the tranny. It ran fine for a year and a half. Now it runs bad. Ive put a code reader on it and it pulls nothing. It just sits out back now.

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  Nice - 1992 Buick Roadmaster
  By Dan - September 5 - 9:41 pm

  Loved the car and sold it with 220,000 miles on it. Hauled everything we could throw at it or in it. Rust was a problem. Had new trans, fuel pump, radiator, exhaust, a/c compressor, shocks. Had all the usual changes as brakes, tires, ran Mobil 1 in it. MPG: 19 to 20 on a trip, 17 to 18 around town, 10 to 13 pulling 2 horses. 14 to 16 around town in winter.

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  I lUV MY VEHICLE - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By sweet1976 - September 4 - 7:29 pm

  I absolutely love my new Enclave. The rear backup camera on the rear view mirror is an absolute delight. It is so much easier to look in the mirror than down at a navigation screen. There are so many things that makes this a great vehicle to have. Granted, Ive only had it a few days now, but I cant say anything negative about it. Its very classy and I see peoples head turn when I drive by. The only negative thing I can say is about how expensive it was to purchase...but nevertheless, Im pleased!

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  Great vehicle all around - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Jim Ernst - September 1 - 5:24 pm

  Have just purchased 2 weeks ago but have found the vehicle to be very comfortable and fun to drive. Ride is very smooth and it handles with ease. Has all the conveniences needed as well as safety built in which is a plus as my wife in the normal driver.

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  problems - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Connie - August 31 - 7:39 pm

  Needed new power steering, air condition went, intake manifold gasket for over $1,000, Fuel Pump, Starter, Cracked sway bar. I will never buy a GM Car again.

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  No More GMs - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By JTack - August 31 - 6:58 pm

  Bought this garage kept car from my father in early 2008. He had to replace brakes and rotors at 19k. I had to do again at 43k, along with wheel hub and CV drive. $1,600.00. At 50k the left rear window would not close and the cruise control switch went bad. $500.00. ABS warning light comes on intermittently. Put 200k on a 1992 Camry with no problems other than an ignition coil and radiator. Cup holders are dysfunctional. I will not own another GM car.