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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  Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Buick Century
  By Grateful Son-in-law - June 13 - 7:30 am

  I was given this car by my father-in-law, when he was no longer able to drive. Driving the "B" as my wife calls it, has been a pleasant surprise. Dad had put only 33,000 miles on it, maintained it by the book. I use it as a commuter car, primarily suburban to city driving, lots of traffic lights, little highway. MPG is great, 22-23 city, 33 highway, on a 600 mile round trip. Comfortable after getting acclimated to a "rolling sofa." Plenty of trunk space, easy to service by local mechanic. I would not have even looked at this car, let alone bought one, as I feel it is designed for the more senior driver. Still, I now have a low mileage ride which competes with our 2 VWs in MPG!

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  Not a car to recommend - 1996 Buick Regal
  By car nut - June 12 - 9:10 pm

  I made a huge mistake in this purchase. I used to work for Buick and felt some loyalty. However, this is a disaster car. Brakes needed replacement within the first 100 miles. And after replacement, the brakes are so soft to operate, versus other cars, I am constantly worrying that the car wont stop. Rear end sounds loose and engine light wont go off (the dealer said they corrected it but did not). The interior is worse in class by a wide margin. Seats are terrible, and there is no cup holders. The heater/A/C controls were designed by a total idiot, and very hard to operate. The radio confounds everyone who trys to use it. The door storage is a waste for all the good they do.

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  Go to the Mountains - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By paladin - June 12 - 3:28 pm

  A well designed and comfortable car. My wife began driving it when new and now I have it. (OK, I did buy another!) We like to travel in the Buick and find the ease of driving a real plus. Access to controls, reaction of the car to my comands and fuel economy is great. We average 25 on the road and 19-20 in town. Recommend this car to you. The only problem has been that my wife likes the 2007 evan better!!

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  Great all around - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By caminobear - June 12 - 11:52 am

  My mother gave me this car when my El Camino was stolen. She was scared of it, because shed never kept a car for 15 years and thought it was due for trouble. It looks like a grandma car, but I have grown to love the 29 MPG on the highway and the extremely smooth ride. Its also very easy to service - the backward opening hood allows me to stand up straight and not be hunched over. The paint is starting to flake off (too many automatic car washes) and the headliner has been replaced, but otherwise it is in great shape. Even the cassette player still works well. Hope it lasts another 200,000 miles!

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  I Love This Car - 1994 Buick Regal
  By pvc - June 11 - 10:25 pm

  I bought this little gem last year with 120,000 miles original miles on it. It runs great, it looks great, I get a lot of comments from people about the car, overall Im very pleased with this vehicle. It is often below zero in winter where I live and it fired up every single morning no problem, I didnt even have to "plug it in". Its better than quite a few brand new cars I have owned over the years. Im sorry that I didnt have this car when it was brand new!

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  All around good vehicle - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By darren8c - June 10 - 12:15 pm

  I love my Rendezvous. We were looking for the interior of a minivan with the exterior of an SUV, so we love our Rendezvous. It has captain chairs for the second row allowing you to easily access the third row. The captains chairs are a must have if you have car seats. I am 60 and can actually fit in every seat in the Rendezvous. Also the AWD is really nice in the Wisconsin winter. You do have to keep up on the maintenance and repair them more than Hondas and Toyotas. If you want luxury, the interior design of a minivan, AWD, and the look of an SUV the Rendezvous CXL AWD is one of your only options, and its a pretty decent one.

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  A Buick is better than a Lexus???? - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Paulinroswell - June 10 - 9:55 am

  So far, this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I was hesitant to even consider it because I wanted the RX350 but my wife heard that this Buick was worth considering. I hate to admit I am ever wrong but the Enclave is by far the better vehicle than the Lexus in every way after test driving both twice (I was really trying to convince myself that the Buick was worse the first time). It gets good fuel economy, has great luxury features I want, safety features have no equal, and is made by the most dependable brand this year! I never thought I would go back to an American car but if they continue to make vehicles like this, I will never leave! Kudos to Buick! BTW...I am 35 in a Buick!?!

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  Riviera - last of the personal coupes? - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By Dave - June 7 - 9:12 am

  We have had many unique cars... great 91 Regal GS (450K), wonderful 93 Park Avenue (500K) never a drop of oil or any engine work with either now 97 Riviera same good quality. Wheel bearings on all 3 Buicks have been a bane. Riviera has developed unpredictable starting problem... no action on turning key - nothing. Happens once in a while, let sit for few minutes and then it will start. Cannot find problem. Not starter nor solenoid. Ignition or neutral safety lock? Various mechanics have looked into this to no avail. Does anybody else have this experience?

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  Great Car-Cosmetic Problems - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Ken - June 6 - 9:31 pm

  This has been a great car, comfort and style is very good. Gas mileage is really good, over 30 miles per gallon on last trip from Portland Or. to Idaho Falls Id. My problem has been cosmetic,all outside chrome strips on windows have been replaced twice due to rust spots. Since i have just over 50,000 miles now Im worried about the next time it happens. The finish is also rapidly coming off the wheels leaving black splotches. The dealer refuses to do anything about it except make note of the problem. They blame it on the current problems GM is having for not taking any positive action on it. As I stated Great Car, very dissapointed in the cosmetic problems.

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  Great Crosover - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Mike - June 4 - 9:16 am

  It is a great crossover SUV loaded with a lot of options. Great ride, but should have a little more HP.