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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  Great Car - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Happy Owner - June 29 - 11:59 am

  This is a great car no new ones on the market compare. I get 33 miles per gal on a trip and 26 in the city. Quiet to drive, comfort, leather interior exceptional refuse to sell it, you take care of this car and it takes care of you.

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  What is not broken? - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By HORRIBLE VECHICLE - June 28 - 5:10 pm

  1)Oil leak between transmission and engine. 2)Electrical problems:Alternator and battery replaced because headlights and interior lights were dimming and going bright.3) Radio replaced due to background noise. DVD player had background noise still after noise suppressor added to +12Volt line.4) Stability control module replaced. 5) Electronic brake module replaced. 6) Power window control module replaced due to retaining clips broken. 7) Wind noise present: replaced sliding door molding. Still had it. 8) Ground effects coming off. 9) Something rolling around loose in steering wheel. Most failures occurred by 16,000 miles. The rest occurred before 30,000 miles. Do not trust this van!!

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  Not Stunning - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By sequoyah101 - June 27 - 5:10 pm

  My wife insisted on a V8 to replace the Park Avenue so we got this one after looking at an Avalon, 535 and 350GS and a CTS. If this car had a 6 speed transmission and the engine wouldnt rev so high at cruise (feel like I have to keep my foot in it) and it could get much better mileage (never been better than abt 24 to 25 and abt 20 in mixed driving) it would be great but it doesnt and it isnt but it is OK. This should be a 30 mpg car like the old PA. Buick just went too far with the acceleration "performance" tuning of this car to no good end. Like the styling, interior is nice without being fussy though the seats hit me wrong for some reason it is still comfortable enough.

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  Great Car - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By RayT - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my first Park Ave. in September 2002. Had three LeSabres prior to this. It has 57K miles but is in great condition with all the bells & whistles. This car has a good ride and corners great. It feels very solid on the road. Plenty of luxury features that help keep your eyes on the road such as the heads up display and the climate & radio controls on the wheels. Love the sunroof, chrome wheels & heated seats. Great car for the money and these Buicks are dependable & last.

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  2002 Rendezvous CX - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By James E. Smith - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I was pleasantly surprised once I test drove this vehicle. One selling point for me,was watching a Mercedes owner trading in his 2000 Model for a new Rendezvous. I only returned to my dealer for oil changes & tire rotation.Have not found a single problem. Quality seems very high and I highly recommend the Rendezvous. Gas mileage avgs around 22 in city, and have acheived 24 highway. The third seat option, and ease of use, has come in very handy for us. I can seat 6 adults with comfort.When I dont need the 3rd seat I keep it folded down, and use the space in the rear for cargo area. I highly recommend the new Rendezvous.

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  One of the good ones - 1999 Buick Century
  By Mike - June 26 - 10:05 pm

  I have had to repair wear and tear items, brakes, shocks, sway bar lingage and brake lines and that stuff isnt cheap, but it always starts no matter how cold whatever the weather, never stalls and runs exellent. If you maintain and take care of it (with exceptions)the Century should rarely let you down.

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  Best of the Best - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By CollegeProf - June 26 - 3:12 pm

  This car replaced a Lexus RX-300 and a Lexus sedan. Our cars were over 10 years old and we really loved our Lexus. I cant believe how great this car is. It drives around town like a dream. I dont think you will need the running board step assist. We have kids and my 5 3" wife doesnt have any problems getting in and out. This is really well built. The Lexus had some cool - gee whiz features that the Lexus doesnt, but overall I think this Buick better. Good job GM!!

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  Impressive - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Rainer - June 26 - 11:47 am

  Great driving, it does not feel like Im riding in a truck! - The look of the vehicle is what I love the most.

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  The Cascada from Opal in Poland. - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Cheryl Lattin - June 25 - 1:30 pm

  Not enough safety features such as side mirror blind spot notification. No warning if your too close to the other car or parking in a garage. Back up camera is fair. NO beeping noise to notify the driver of something in the way

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  A solid and reliable car - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By phil - June 23 - 6:01 am

  After 7 years without any problems in a Highlander, I switched to the Enclave AWD. Features, past experience (I had two Buicks I drove as Federal law enforcement officer averaging 70K per year without any problems)price and 0% financing, it was a no brainer. I also did some checking on the dealer and found another Enclave owner near where I live and he had very good experience with the dealer. I have had the car now two months and still think I made the right choice. The only thing I could think of to improve would be the mileage, although it comes close to the EPA standard. As of today (June 23rd) I have a little over 2000 miles without any problems.