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 best SUV I ever drove, - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Julie Ferrara - December 5 - 8:49 pm

  I love this truck so much I look for things to buy, just to go out and drive it. My daughter loves it and so does everyone I know. I think that they will all go out and get one soon. I will definitely get another one when the lease is up. I hope they still make more. Love it to bits!

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  Great Vehicle--No more van! - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By BKnight - December 5 - 10:33 am

  I love my Rainier. I have the PGA Tour edition. The only drawback is the odd cup holder and storage situation, but otherwise I am very pleased. MPG average is 17-18 (I drive on country roads to work each day.) It gets 22- 24 on the highway. I had a loaded Honda Odyssey. Im so glad to be out of the van!

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  Better than I expected - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By jabutix - December 5 - 10:26 am

  The LaCrosse CXL is a real winner. It is quiet and fun to drive on the freeway and good and responsive at city driving. It has a very smooth suspension and quiet ride. I recently travelled with friends and at the end of the trip everyone commented on how rested they felt.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By pleased - December 3 - 8:51 pm

  Great car. Only negative is torque. The pick up can take a second or two, but it can move. All the toys (remote starter, etc) I really enjoy it.

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  Satisfied new owner - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By happy camper - December 2 - 6:46 am

  I found the Edmund reviews helpful in makeing my decision to buy the Buick. I really enjoy the Lucerne. In a town where most cars are high end cars fro Europe or Japan. I find the Lucerne a nice compromise. Price at year end $21000 loaded (half of what the European cars I looked at). 4yr /50000 mile warrtanty. Roomy and financially sound for a family, professional looking for work and stylish enough to not feel like Im driving a tank. For a large sedan with a V6 I find it handles well on the road and just enough power for the car. My car and others I test drove "all pull to the right" (as I read in other Edmund interviews) They are fixing it... said it had something to do with a tow bar?

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  New car every year - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By fritz wackernagel - December 1 - 1:41 pm

  A quiet cushioned ride. The best Buick ride ever. Ample power, 24mpg city, and quality build make me a proud owner

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  World Class Crossover - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Steve S - November 29 - 11:10 pm

  The Enclave is without a doubt the best crossover on the market. Styling is second to none. The fit and finish is excellent. The car rides so smooth and is extremely quiet inside. Third row seats work great. This is a great alternative to the minivan. Safety features are great for a family vehicle. An overall quality Auto. Best car I ever owned.

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  Buick Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By duke28 - November 29 - 9:32 am

  I love the visibility from both sides and behind in this vehicle. The doors open wide enough for a handicap person. Its a comfortable car and easy to handle. We live in the mts and have no trouble getting around, we have front wheel drive. However, my gas mileagel isnt always the best in the mts. but I will not complain.......

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  Great car GM - 2005 Buick Century
  By Bill - November 29 - 7:55 am

  My wife has had two, 2003 and 2005. She uses it on her mail route and after she is done she runs the kids from practice to practice, Dr. appointments. Thanks GM for engineering a great product.

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  A Second Buick Owner - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Carl Allen - November 28 - 8:19 pm

  I bought this car with 56,364 miles. It drives and performs well. Everything under the hood is clean. The outside is clean also. Im very impreseed with this car. The gas mileage could be better.