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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  The 95 Model is very Reliable - 1995 Buick Century
  By Mark - August 19 - 1:34 pm

  I bought this car for 400 cash with only 72k original miles. Had to replace the compressor, serpentine belt, tensioner, and grease the brake cylinders. Also had a power steering leak that wasnt much to fix. This was because the car sat for 2 years or more, only the battery was replaced when I bought it and it drove almost perfect! This car has proven to be very reliable even to the fact that there was very limited rust on this vehicle for its age.

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  Think foreign - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Theresa - August 18 - 2:12 pm

  I loved my Rendevous but at 97,000 miles I have put 3,000 in repairs, and am possibly looking at another 3,000. I am told the rear differential is bad in this suv and that it is a common problem. I am now looking at spending more on repairs than the vehicle is worth. Very disappointed that GM wont take more responsibility for their design flaws. Might make me consider another American car but not at this point.....EVER!

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  Base Enclave CXL - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By alvanhill - August 18 - 9:42 am

  Finally a salesperson listened and found a base vehicle for me to buy. The Enclave CXL FWD compares favorably with our 08 Lexus ES in comfort and quiet ride and has all the equipment I wanted without $$$s in options. The six speed tranny takes some getting used to and I wish the drivers seat cushion gave more thigh support but this is a very nice vehicle for the money. More mpg would be nice but I think the DI engine will regulate that. At 7,000 miles the car delivers 24 mpg on the highway @ 70 mph.

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  Most Reliable One Yet! - 1997 Buick Century
  By BuickOwnerSince72 - August 17 - 10:34 am

  Not all cars are built the same. But Ive had Buicks for that past 37 years, all of them have been very dependable averaging 300K miles before I sold them after owning them brand new. BUT this one has been the best so far! I would have sold it years ago, but Im driving more and more and just cant bare to part with it. 630k miles are on it now, only replacing the usual belts, hoses, spark plugs&wires, fluids, brakes, and tyres etc. No major mechanical defects of any kind! Plus if I keep my foot out of it upon acceleration, I get 26 in the city and 33 on the highway running 80. Its reliable too! I live in Maine and TN its never been garaged and always fires right up regardless of temperature

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  Not a keeper - 1994 Buick LeSabre
  By Ethan - August 16 - 5:21 pm

  I bought this car recently with only 78000 miles expecting a reliable car. It could just be a lemon, but there have been a ton of electrical issues. Performance-wise, the car is very disappointing. Many people would find the ride comfortable over bumps, but in reality, it has very poorly tuned suspension. There is hardly any damping so the car bounces far too much after hitting a bump. This coupled with very soft springs is a bad combination. When turning quickly, the body roll is very substantial. So much so that it could be a safety concern. In a situation where you had to swerve, the body develops so much inertia that loosing control could easily happen. Acceleration is surprising

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  watch out - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By aw - August 16 - 8:46 am

  Had this car for 2 wks then it overheated, dealer thought it was a sensor wrong.2 wks later it did it again. If you go on forums this is a common problem for GM vehicles. there was even a class act against them from the Dexcool antifreeze. It eats away the intake mainifold gasket People looking to purchase these vehicles need to know about it. Min $800 to fix and hope that when your car overheated you didnt warp the head. Luckily The Sharpest Rides repaired it at there (part only)cost even though there was no more warranty.

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  Shame on GM! - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By Gidge - August 15 - 11:00 pm

  Sharp car but GM refuses to make good on all the 3800 engines damaged by plastic intake manifolds (class action lawsuit only gives you $50 or so unless the entire engine is replaced & then what you get wont cover it.) (GM wonders why people are buying other brands?) Replaced alternator, battery, pwr st. pump, transmission parts, warped rotors, Intake manifold, I/M gaskets separately (which are now leaking again for 3rd time) ashtray replaced psgr seat controls replaced, wipers very erratic, Rear air shocks, front strut mounts bad, had to pull engine mount just to replace serpentine belt, repeated problems with rough upshift, (dealer says" no code, no problem") Gets 30-4o mpg highway. Nice ride.

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  Never Again - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Big Foot - August 15 - 9:45 pm

  I purchased this vehicle Used as a GM Certified car. The warranty means nothing. The vehicle made a moaning noise and there was a technical bulletin that said it required new fluid in the rear($400+). Then the AWD Disabled light came on-a differential valve had to be replaced for $480. Again no warranty. I would never buy another GM vehicle and have owned many but this last vehicle has been a killer with repair costs on a GM certified car-ha ha.

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  11 years of near bliss - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By geeo - August 15 - 1:10 am

  I just love the big car feel. The bench seat front and back are great. You can seat the entire family of grown children all the luggage ans all the electronic gear in comfort their are four 12 volt receptacles.The Park Ultra is very popular in China in 2010. Why we can not have it here is a mystery to me. I guess the bone heads at Buick in USA still do not get it.

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  Sweet! - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Bryan Wagstaff - August 12 - 10:48 am

  I owned a Jaguar Vanden Plas and Chevy Astro and wanted a vehicle that combined the best of both. I found it in the Enclave. I now have the luxury of the Jag and the cargo/towing capabilities of the Astro. I also need an AWD/4WD vehicle to get me to my mountain cabin in the winter. The Enclave thus far has proven to be a sturdy, well built, fun to drive vehicle. There is so much about it that I like its hard to know where to begin. However, of all the reviews I have read no one has mentioned the remarkable turning radius of the vehicle.