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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  Disappointed with Buick Encore - 2013 Buick Encore
  By neilman - February 3 - 4:16 pm

  Vehicle road tested wonderful during the dealer visit, but has been a huge disappointment after taking it home. We already exchanged the vehicle (so were on our second one) and really appreciate the dealerships cooperation with doing their best to make the situation right for us. Both vehicles have the same problem, in fact the 2nd one is worse and I wish I had kept the 1st one. While entering and exiting our driveway (with the steering turned left or right) which has a normal drainage dip (water canal) between the road and driveway elevation, there are thumping noises coming from the suspension. Of course as is typical...the problem could not be duplicated at the dealership. I have driven many many cars on my driveway and never heard this type of noise from any other car. I owned 4 GM cars over a 20 year period through 2009, and finally gave up due to the consistent need to pour money into repairs after about 4 - 5 years of ownership. I thought things may have improved and gave it another shot, but I guess I was dead wrong. I feel terribly let down and like I made a huge mistake. The classic definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I must be insane for falling for the same mistake over and over.

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  Great little car - 1995 Buick Regal
  By reaglebegal - February 2 - 2:45 pm

  Have had this car for 2 years got it with 125,000 miles. Now has 155k on it. Have had minor fixes done but no major ones. The engine runs great for almost 20 years old and the transmission dont miss a beat. If you want a sporty car that is dependable this is a great one. the 3800 3.8l is powerful and fuel efficient (about 28mpg highway). the suspension is great for tight turns.

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  Love My Century - 2000 Buick Century
  By riger - February 1 - 5:56 pm

  I have been so impressed with my Century. The ride, power, acceleration are all that I need. I especially like to listen to the engine accelerate and the transmission shift. It is so smooth - and I have driven a lot of cars. If it were a Honda, or Camry this same car with the mileage would have cost me about $5000 more than I paid. Now the bad - the window regulator assembly is a problem. A new one at Auto Zone cost $98 with tax. I have installed two. The transmission did shift crazy until I dropped the pan, changed the filter and added Lucas Trans to the existing oil. It now shifts and runs so good that it gives me joy on every trip that I take. Thanks GM

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  Enjoying the car, but the milage is horrible - 2012 Buick Enclave
  By sirk2 - January 31 - 9:17 am

  We purchased our Enclave in July 2012. After 5 seat cars, we are really enjoying the space and can now carpool with others and bring the dog on trips. I wanted captains chair in 2nd row and 3 spaces in 3rd, and most SUVs cant do that. It could always use another USB port but we juggle just fine. My only major complaint so far is the milage. This winter it has been averaging 16.4 miles per gallon. This thing chews through gas like you wouldnt believe. Over the summer, it was slightly better, but we were doing more highway traveling. With nothing but metro driving, it is sobering how much we are spending on fuel. Clearance is ok, but check measurements - this is lower than hoped.

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  Nice Ride - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By emo4 - January 10 - 11:29 pm

  We have been pleased with this car. My friend has an older one, and I am happy to have gotten the redesigned version shortly after it was introduced. The transmission has been re-tuned to shift at higher RPMs, producing brisk and smoother acceleration. I was only disappointed that the navigation systems font size is too small and cannot be adjusted. This could be a safety hazard, since the small font makes it hard to read.

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  200,000+ miles, still going strong - 1997 Buick Regal
  By ihanson - January 2 - 4:56 pm

  I inherited this car from my parents as they moved on to a newer vehicle (Volvo S60). Weve had it in our family for about 10 years now and its served us well - I just ticked over 201,000 miles this week and the car still runs great. Even though the car is 15 years old, it still has most of what I want in a car: smooth ride, nice pick-up when needed, reasonable MPG (25 combined, 27-28 hwy), leather, sunroof, premium audio (aftermarket), seat warmer (aftermarket) and nice handling in winter weather. One funny note was that I recently visited the junk yard to look for a spare part (armrest) and all of the Regals were newer than mine (1997), hehe. Guess they last if you take care of them!

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  Smooth Ride - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By kjlong - December 9 - 11:13 pm

  I got this car from a family of 9 so it was pretty rough when I got it. It needed several fixes and replacements before it was back in decent condition. It served me well while I commuted during college, never left me on the side of the road, and has always provided the luxury that has been associated with Buick vehicles. I am currently pushing 18k miles and it has definitely seen better days but I am overall very pleased with this car. The interior is decent besides a missing piece of leather on the console, scratches and dings on the dashboard and steering wheel controls, and a couple of damaged fan covers: these issues were present when I bought it. I love the ride!

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  New Intellink Review - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By jjschmidt3 - December 9 - 7:43 am

  I just leased a 2013 Buick Enclave with Intellink. I had a 2010 Enclave and loved it. The Intellink is all touch buttons including the Emergency Flashers located just under the radio. When changing the radio I inadvertently touch the flasher button and turn them on . This happens daily. Fog lights are no longer available. I used them all the time. You better check with Buick to see which Smart Phones will work with Intellink. It cost me $600 to purchase a new phone when after several days and phones call I found out my HTC Rezound would not pair up. The Iphone 5 will not either. Surprise! Now that I bought a new phone Pandora still wont load.

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  Would buy another - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By wingnutttt - December 8 - 2:05 pm

  We bought ours in 08 with 30.000 miles on it. Wife uses it mostly in town & we use it on vacation & tow 2 mid size motorcycles behind it. We have had no problems with ours & tows our cycles nicely. Now has 62.000 miles on it & has been trouble free. Its quiet, comfortable for all day driving. Would reccomend it to anybody

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  My Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By amherstburgmac - December 2 - 1:13 am

  Had it since 2009, No major issues, low cost vehicle to run. Wheel bearing replacements and a brake job, but nearly 200K on the clock. Quiet and reliable.