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:

• 

  Buick LaSabre - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Lila Finnegan - July 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a great, low maintenance, safe vehicle for our family. I intend on purchasing another Buick LaSabre if and when this one has driven its last mile. Love it!

• 

  Very Pleased - 1998 Buick Skylark
  By Al Stefanelli - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Attractive styling, although the rear end could have used a few more hours on the drawing board. Surprisingly roomy for a six-foot-two, 225 pounder. Peppy, good handling and adequate sound system. This vehicle was impecably maintained and when I bought it with 108K miles on it, the condition was excellent, and still is.

• 

  A real scorcher - 2003 Buick Regal
  By badge 13 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  A fun car to drive. Lots of power and handling is very good. First car Ive had that had absolutely no defects from the time I acquired it four months ago. With the Joseph Abood decor it could become a collectors item. From the outside it may be nondescript but it doesnt take a back seat to any six cylinder when it comes to power.

• 

  Nice vehicle - 2003 Buick Century
  By lngtherapy - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 2002 dealers demo for $13,000, and it had 11,000 miles on the odometer. You cant get a Toyota Corrolla for that deal, not to mention its allot less of a car than the Buick. I know I owned one. The ride and the comfort speak for themselves, I would by another one in a heartbeat.

• 

  2003 Buick LeSabre - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By sTRAYDOG - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Drives and rides very good in my opinion It is big enough that no one picks on it A couple of minor defects were immediately taken care of at my convenience. It has a lack of cup holders. The one it does have holds only small cups The gas mileage is not what I was told to expect. They claimed 29 + on highway. I claim 25 is stretching it. Clock cannot be read.

• 

  Nice car,typical problems. - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Plainhappy - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Suspension soft to an extreme,O.K.with me. Very good acceleration and fast tight-turn feel,perfect for on/off ramps. Security system with chip in key is a loser,the second place I was towed repaired it,over $300 total. Also a battery terminal was over-tightened and stripped out of the battery case when built,It didnshow up immediately and confused the security system problems.Xmission slipping in 1st@50000 mi.

• 

  Everything you read is true... - 2002 Buick Regal
  By alogo - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Strong, smoooth, fuel efficient engine. Comfortable interior, needs more lumbar. Lots of toys. Some quibbles: climate control less than intuitive, Smartstalk wiper and cruise combined, no mist function, small glovebox, backseat for kids only, glass in rear window optically "off", embedded antenna weak.

• 

  2003 buick centruy - 2003 Buick Century
  By Jan Spidle - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We like the vehicle it has been a long time since we drove a sedan so have had a little trouble getting use to it. We would purchase it again. It rides nice and so far no trouble with it. We only have 4,000 miles on it.

• 

  Best Used Car I Ever Had - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By choralcat - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 97 in the Spring of 98. It 22,000 miles on it. Other than normal service and a new set of tires, I havent needed a thing done to it. I bought the 70,000 mile 7 year protection plan and plan to keep it at least until the 7 years are up.

• 

  not bad for a granny car - 1992 Buick Regal
  By David Jones - July 7 - 2:00 am

  ive been driving this car since 5/03 has 137k mi. but still feels tight and generally drives like new. brakes just got done and stop well though take some warm up time 3.8 has good torque off the line. steering is tight esp. for a buick and the suspension though somewhat harsh in town has plenty of travel and smooths out on hgwy. a good solid car with a great engine and wont make you feel like youve come right out of the retirement community (im 20)