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:

• 

  2006 Rendevous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rick Z - December 24 - 9:16 am

  We have a CXL loaded including the trailer package and 3.5 V-6. We traded our 2003 Escalade to take advantage of the advertised highway 28 mpg. The 17 in town and 21 on the road is a dissapointment. The comfort is good

• 

  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Chuck S - December 21 - 5:48 am

  Dead quiet. Smooth as silk on the road. Great handling for this size of car.

• 

  Great value - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By jp - December 20 - 7:10 am

  Rides like a dream, quiet and comfortable. Luxury car for less money that our past Cadillacs or Lexus.

• 

  Buick Rendezvous - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By bartlw - December 19 - 7:15 am

  This is one of the best handling cars that I have ever owned. The Rendezvous CXL is very comfortable when driving in town or out on the highway. The heads-up display keeps your eyes on the road and not looking down to set your cruise. The instrument panel is laid out to see your gauges, but are also shown in the heads-up display. My wife drove a Buick LaCrosse, but to her the Rendezvous gives her a comfortable ride and the ease of driving a small car in traffic, but doesnt feel like a full size SUV. Its very nicely equipped and for the money its a good car to own. I read some of the reviews on the 2005 & 2006 Rendezvous, I feel like a lot of the complaints have been fixed on the 2007 model.

• 

  Great car - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ellen - December 18 - 11:56 pm

  Purchased new CXL. Great 4 yrs./50,000 warranty. What a wonderful fun car!

• 

  Love my Buick - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By stryen10 - December 18 - 8:03 pm

  Ive had my Buick for four months now and I really fell in love with it. It is the most comfortable SUV that I have ridden in. The ride is like my cousins Cadillac.

• 

  Buy Real American Cars - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By R.G. Dumont - December 15 - 2:39 pm

  Great auto. I get 32+ mpg with great comfort and security. Why buy foreign? More value than competion.

• 

  My Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By jtsummers - December 14 - 5:17 am

  This is the best car I ever owned and I have owned a lot in my 77 years.

• 

  Another Great Big American Coupe - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By BigTexKahuna - December 14 - 1:22 am

  I bought this car from an old friend, and I remember the day he got it, so I know it well. Ive had it for one month, and I find driving it very enjoyable. The SC-V6 is powerful enough to effortlessly pull this big coupe, the tranny shifts smoothly. Amazingly quiet inside, leather seating is comfortable and very roomy throughout. Slightly short on headroom- definitely cant wear my cowboy hat while driving. Mine has the power split bench-seat option with column shifter. Changed struts, mounts and boots, so suspension is like new. Car is getting custom paint job. I have 18" chrome wheels and tires on order. Will have windows tinted soon and upgrade speakers. Overall a fun car to drive!

• 

  95 Buick Skylark - 1995 Buick Skylark
  By Linda - December 13 - 12:13 am

  Have been unable to find water leak in rain that causes water to set on driver side front floor. Anti lock brake dash light and service engine soon dash light keeps going on and then back off. Unable to find problem. Also had oil leak that was repaired, cost $900. Horn problem that was repaired and worked for 1 month, cost $280.