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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  Best Car I Ever Had. - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By Carol Wilkerson - November 10 - 6:09 am

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Theo - November 8 - 9:38 pm

  Driving this SUV is fun. Handling is supurb. The quiet inside is next to none, that is outside noise is near "0" except for very loud noises. The layout inside makes everything easy to get to. Sight line to instruments is very good. Comfort in all seats is very good and there is enough leg room in the rear for a six foot plus person. Cargo space is good. The wheel well splash guards should be put on as a standard feature and not an option. This vehicle has been built with the persnickety driver in mind. Thanks for doing such a good job on this SUV. I often forget that I am driving an SUV because it feels so much like a car. Great job!

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  2008 Buick Enclave CXL - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By sharronh - October 31 - 7:40 pm

  I love love love the Enclave. Mine is the CXL fully loaded. Black with cashmere interior. Other people sure do a lot of staring. It is just beyond classy. My first experience from November to February was frustrating because the engine light kept coming on. As of yesterday Feb.22nd problem has been resolved. Im a first time buyer with GM and consider it a great move.

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  Great Car - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By pat - October 31 - 2:36 pm

  I had this car 2 hours and I took it on a 6 hour trip and it handled beautifully. I could not have ask for a better ride. The car handles will and when you want that extra power it is there. I travel a lot and I really enjoy driving and riding in the this car. I have had my car in the mountains out east and it handled very well in the mountains. It is great on turns and on curvey roads.

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  Wonderful - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Suzie - October 31 - 6:40 am

  I love this car. We have always had a truck and to have a car to drive this one is the best one I have ever been in. It is fun and we turn heads were ever we go. We have the Sage mist green and Black interior. When people see this car they fall in love with it. It is a beautiful car, it drives and rides like a cloud, and very quiet.

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  2011 buick lacrosse - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By edward sullivan - October 30 - 7:07 pm

  nice car this car replaced a Lincoln LS a few features I wish this Buick would have had but I can learn to live without.

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  I love my Rendezvous! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rendezvous - October 29 - 10:29 pm

  This is my favorite auto Ive ever owned including the Lexus. My Rendezvous is the most comfortable, well designed, and reliable car Ive had. I also love the design. I now have about 150,000 miles on it, and am thinking about trading it in for a new one but I love this one so much Im hesitant. I wont buy anything else. Ive never owned a bad Buick, but this Rendezvous is really over the top in excellence. You have already achieved perfection with the engine and design, now just add a little bling. I would be happy to test one out for you!

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  A great minivan for the price - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Tim - October 28 - 4:32 pm

  I know Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are all the rage, with Chrysler products leading the American pack, but I have found this Buick Terraza to be a great ride, with all the luxuries of the top guns, and half the price. I guess because of low consumer ratings, there are great deals for the GMs. Not sure why ratings are low, but I like these vans. It is put together well and has a good look, almost SUV-like. The DVD system with the wireless headphones is great for the kids, and I have found no signs of performance trouble. Its a mini-van for goodness sakes, so Im not looking for the performance of the cars of my youth. Want a good van at a good price? Buy this American made ride.

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  CXL V8 - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Tom H - October 28 - 10:04 am

  Have owned this car for 9 months and put over 10,000 miles on it. Very reliable and comfortable. Nothing more than routine maintenance necessary so far. Plenty of power, great for long trips. Gas mileage could be better, but still good for car this size with V8 engine.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Teresa - October 26 - 8:24 pm

  I love this car. The engine is powerful and the Rainier has a very quiet ride. No one can believe Im driving my car and talking on my cell phone because no one hears anything but the conversation! I have the NAV system, XM radio and OnStar. Its great!