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:

• 

  in the shop 17 times! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Dr. D - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had numerous problems with my Enclave. It has been in the shop 17 times, towed 4 times and been jumped 3 times. I first had the battery replaced w/in 8 months of ownership and it has been downhill since. The odometer malfunctioned, water pump replaced in the 2nd year and the transmission was replaced after 2 years. The car has leaked, trunk malfunctioned, On Star was repaired and though I know I am leaving out things, you get the gist of my experience. The time spent and money wasted on car rentals is beyond acceptable. The only positive in my Buick experience is that the service center staff were wonderful and empathic Kim went out of her way to help me out. Buyer beware!

• 

  Its falling apart - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By big dawg - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I had hoped to keep this car for a long time but its slowly falling apart. Part of it is the salt in our region. The rotors rust and wear out the brakes/rotors prematurely. The bearing hubs have been replaced. Control arm bushings dont last and the AWD actuator had to be replaced.The racheting device on the seatbelts caused the belts to tear and need to be replaced. Its constantly being repaired and I no longer trust it except for trips around town. The quality of the suspension/drive train parts is not good. It does have a nice ride and nice stereo and room to take my 90 lb German Shepherd but I think I may look at a Nissan, Toyota or Honda to replace it. American cars= no good.

• 

  Dont buy a Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Carol - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought this from a dealer and it was 1 year old. - Did not have it 2 years and put $2,300.00 in it. We have replaced rear bearings, the power steering pump twice, and now the rear differential has went out. The seats do not fold completely down, so there goes the cargo space, and just look at those cloth seats and they stain! I had an Explorer before and I loved it, but my husband isnt a Ford Fan - well he can have GM, this will be my last Buick. I absolutely hate it!!

• 

  Poorly built Transmissions - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By waytoolaidback - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Our 2010 is in the shop with tranny problem and weve only had it a few months. Its been in the shop for thee weeks now awaiting parts that seem to come each time with missing parts in the order claims the service manager. They are paying for my rental but that doesnt cut it for me. Today i called buick customer service and I expect to hear back from my district rep by monday. GM has to know about this problem, and they should issue a recall because something is terribly wrong. Our problem started with the car idling a little high and i let that go but a few days later it didnt want to shift into gear. Finally shifted into gear and heard a loud noise but it drove ok after that. The check eg

• 

  New class of world class? Not - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Tduke57 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Update of an earlier review. Driving my 2010 CXS to work today w/just 3400+ miles and just shy of 4 mos ownership the car died at a traffic light. All electronics worked but the engine was totally dead and would not even attempt a re-start. Had to get towed by the dealer (Buick Roadside tried to send me to a dealer that was no longer a Buick dealer) and after a day of having it dont seem to have much of an answer. Despite months of research and reservations about picking a new model year car I seem to have made a mistake.

• 

  Reliability still an issue - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By niaomiya - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Major problems! When 2 yrs old, car died on freeway for no reason at all. Dies if I turn steering wheel too hard while backing up. Sometimes computer will unlock doors when I turn off engine and remove key (like its supposed to), and sometimes it doesnt want to let me out. The right blinker all of a sudden started going at warp speed, then went back to normal a couple wks later, now its back to superfast. Lumbar support dial on drivers seat keeps falling off. Rear hatch interior pulldown handle broke when I had car < a yr. Rear vents broke in < a yr, will blow air but wont hold position. Computer doesnt always remember radio presets, very temperamental! Obviously, quality issues!!

• 

  My worst car Ever!!!! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Worst vehicle ever - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This by far has been the worst car I have ever purchased. I constantly have overheating issues. Replaced expensive Head gasket.And now my engine needs to be replaced!! Every other month Ive had some type of problem with this car and the repairs are not cheap.dont recommend this car to anyone, I am a mother of four kids, the best feature or this car was the seating capacity. Very unreliable car. I havnt owned this car for a full year and Ive already spent way too much money for repairs.

• 

  Issues with LaCrosse - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By j young - August 22 - 5:34 pm

  Agree with others, small trunk, visual impairments, however having issues with grinding noise turning steering wheel, a funny stuttering when stopping but not all the time, dealer couldnt find anything wrong but worried because none of this is normal with a new or even older car.

• 

  In my opinion - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Nicole - August 22 - 11:48 am

  I got this car almost 2 years ago and when i first got it i loved it, i got it checked out before buying it and the car mechanic said it would be a good buy. Now two years later i have had to replace many many things and every replacement has been very expensive. the fuel mileage for this car is very poor. (granted my car is super charged). But this car is very sturdy and safe feeling which is very nice. In my opinion if your looking to buy this car dont buy it unless youre looking to do it for a collectors item since it isnt made anymore.

• 

  Never Again - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By librarian - August 22 - 8:17 am

  Bought this well-maintained car used with low mileage. We had good luck with Camrys but wanted to go US. Nice ride, comfortable with lots of power. Thats about the only good thing I can think of to say. We cant use any light switches as theyve all broken - keep them set to run automatically and hope we dont need to change a setting-both buttons broke off. The gas gauge doesnt work. Over last two years, all four window motors have broken, the two in the back are wedged closed to save the $400 (EACH) to repair them. Whey do we need to open those windows? The fan motor broke in the hottest summer ever, saving to get that fixed. Our 1999 Camry has needed gas and oil since we got it in 2005.