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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  2011 LaCrosse - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By phil Sullivan - March 5 - 5:23 am

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  Great Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By cc079 - March 4 - 7:42 am

  If you are thinking of buying a foreign luxury car or a Cadillac DTS save your money and buy this fantastic automobile. The North Star engine is superb and the interior is extremely comfortable. The exterior always receives second looks. OnStar Direction and connections is a good service. Only complaint, why is Buick hiding this vehicle! Buick should be shouting the quality and ride of this car from the mountain tops.

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  Love this car - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By 1998 Buick Park Ave. - March 3 - 10:56 pm

  Gets 34 mpg on the road if you drive sensible. 22-25 mpg in town. Reliable, smooth handling, roomy, dependable, large trunk, great on trips, handles 5 tall or large people comfortably, plenty of leg room in the back

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  Best Car Ever! - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Julie Freeman - March 2 - 8:12 pm

  First it must be understood that I have always loved cars, namely Firebirds and Rivieras. The Riviera was my ultimate dream car since I was 10. Bought my 96 Riv when I was 39 and I will never sell her. Dont even know if I can ever quit driving it. My Riv and I have a very special relationship. I take good care of her and she takes good care of me. Truly the car of my dreams. Light Adriatic Blue Metallic with medium blue leather and dash. Gorgeous!

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  Buick excellence - 1994 Buick Regal
  By josha - March 1 - 7:48 pm

  My car has over 294000 miles and runs like new. It needs some interior work on the seats(leather) and some shocks but this car is too nice to sell. In ten years the GS will be worth something toa Buick enthusiast.

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  Initial impressions - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John - February 26 - 4:59 pm

  This car had some vibration when new but cleared up in a few days. Very nice car. Highway trip fuel economy not fully tested yet. Not powerful but entirely adequate.

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  2007 Buick Lucerne, great car, fair name - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Jeff - February 25 - 11:43 am

  Buick is back. I own a 2007 Lucerne CXS and with the Northstar v-8 and the magnetic ride suspension, it rides and handles better that the Lexus I had, and is quieter too. Mileage with the V- 8 is around 20 mpg for me with a combo of intown and highway driving. On the road doing 80 I get around 24..in town around 18. No creaks or squeaks yet, this is the most solid feeling car Ive ever owned.

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  Absolutely Gorgeous Value! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By KURT PENNEY - February 23 - 3:58 am

  Originally considering a smaller sedan, I went out and compared estimated mileage and prices. Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen came up short on the quality and attractiveness end, and did not offer substantial mileage savings when models were compared head-to-head on power and price. My CXL has high-end stereo, great looking leather, sunroof, remote start, and is one of the best looking sedans on the road. Ranks with BMW and Cadillac on looks, for the price of an ugly Japanese car.

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  Love My Ultra - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By JrRidge - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Ultra in Woodbridge Virginia with 74,500 miles and it has been a great car. I like the size of the car and it rides like a limo on the highway. The only problems Ive had was with getting the fan, supercharger belts and water pump replaced at 125,000 miles for over $700. Ive also had the front brake roters replaced twice due to warpage. The car runs great still and I now have over 144,000 miles on it. I believe Ill get over 200,000 on it like the Olds Regency I still own with over 211,000 miles on it which my son crashed it for me.

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  2007 La Crosse CXL - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Art - February 19 - 9:22 am

  We have had this car one month and love it. We looked at the Accords and Camry, but this car afford all the quailty and reliability with the benefit of added interior room. The 3.8 engine provides tremendous torque and we can get 31 mpg highway. It is very quiet and comfortable on the road.