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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  tweetys car - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By georgia - September 28 - 2:00 am

  comfortable,some difficulty getting and out of.

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  Its okay car ... could be better via .. - 1995 Buick Regal
  By relaxing_dude - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Pro ... slick design. Reinvented dashboard, body style, everything. Con ... gas mileage 25.5 mpg, 4 - Disc Brakes arrgh!

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  Excellent family car - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By grandpa - September 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of GMs best products. Quieter than some Cadillacs Ive driven, with very comfortable seats. Nice meaty engine that feels like a small V8. Interior is well laid out, lots of places to put things like parking access cards, maps, CDs, etc. Extremely practical in everyday use, large trunk, excellent sound system.

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  95 Buick Century Special - 1995 Buick Century
  By doc miller - September 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought it in Nov. 2001. It had 29,000 miles on it. It has the V-6 and if driven at 65 mph or less, you can get up to 30 mpg. The fit and finish are very good. It is comfortable on long trips. I now have 52,000 miles on the car and outside of normal maintenance, it has not given me any problems.

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  Great Car - 2000 Buick Regal
  By Clyde M - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Smooth ride. Sporty look. Handling not as good as a sports car but probably due to the smoother suspension. Plenty of room with leather interior makes for a nice ride. Decent sound system with steering wheel control make driving more comfortable.

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  Love the regal - 2001 Buick Regal
  By condomary1 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I got my Regal after driving SUVs for the previous 5years. The ride is fairly refined and handling is excellent. My only criticism of this car is the limited leg room for passengers in the back seat. I have about 28000 miles on it and have had no mechanical problems what so ever. I feel it is a little underpowered but this is only evident when climbing in significant hilly terrain. Really sorry Buick has discontinued this model in their lineup.

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  Good quality car - 1992 Buick Regal
  By DMK ai3 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very reliable, decent gas mileage for a V6, however, its a weak V6 at only 140 hp. ABS is good, my AC is broken though. The sound system is actually really good even though it doesnt have a tape or CD player. Very comfortable, exterior design is not very stylish.

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  Tanker true - 1993 Buick Roadmaster
  By jimbochicago - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Look out the windshield, and the view across the hood is one of limousine feel, deep color, stead V-8 quiet and cush. Sadly, it gets worse as you move back: the middle seats are almost a cruel trick in their shallow depth, so youre never quite sitting (unless you are shorter than 4 feet). Then the back, which should be all fun, has a nice seat, but crappy, flappy plastic covers over the spare, with locking screws that give up, stick out, and snag on the folding of the rear seat up and down. But, it handles, for a wagon, amazingly. Its fast, strong, smooth and durable. Last of the classic old indestructible V-8 monstermobiles.

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  Great 1st Car-10th Anniversary - 1993 Buick Skylark
  By emario18 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  A GREAT 1st/RELIABLE CAR Quite a spacious interior-has made moving in and out of apartments much much easier. It also HANDLES WELL & drives smoothly especially considering its coming up on its 10th Anniversary. The WEIGHT & SIZE of the vehicle are a (+). These are the reasons why we 1st chose the Skylark. Along with good power needed for strong winters-the car is sizeable enough to protect inexperienced 1st drivers-like me. She starts with no problem-and still gets me where I need to go with ease. If you have the chance to pick up a 92- 96 Skylark they appear to me to be running for great values.

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  Super Car! - 1992 Buick Regal
  By Silazius - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable for its age. Interior fit and finish pretty good. Exterior fit and finish excellent. A little sloppy under hard handling. Trunk space reduced by trunk lid hinges, but otherwise spacious trunk.