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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  Dont buy a Terraza - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By Carwile - May 20 - 7:43 am

  We have come to hate this vehicle and after only 8 months are getting rid of it. The seats are uncomfortable If I adjust the AC on the drivers side to be a little warmer and then want it colder again it blows warm air. Twice the middle on one side has opened without anyone touching it. I had error msgs regarding the brakes and traction control when I turned it on so I called the dealership and they told me what to do to clear the msgs. When I took it in and they kept it for 3 days they could not find anything wrong for numerous problems and told me there was no error msgs in the computer. The OnStar hands free phone is terrible and difficult to use. This purchase was a waste.

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  The little SUV that tried too hard - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Bob DePino - May 20 - 2:22 am

  Take a good look at the cars that you have been admiring on the road and note that it is their body design that makes them appealing. The basic design of the Encore is overshadowed by a ton of unnecessary glam. An overpowering front grill and a lot of randomly placed chrome has basically turned the car into a distasteful quinceanera dress. And dont even consider having a front seat passenger that weighs more that 150 pounds as they will not fit in the seat. Think long and hard before buying a car and then go and purchase one that you will get compliments on. The Buick Encore wont do that for you.

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  Computer problems - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Bob Edmondson - May 8 - 1:56 pm

  My new Cascada has "computer problems". Often it will not start. Windows go up and down for no reason. Top wont close. Motor warning light goes on. Stabilitrack light goes on, all warning lights go on, forward collision alert does not work. Dealer cant seem to find a problem. Major continuing efforts to fix the problems associated with this car have proven unsuccessful. The dealership and GM have been great to work with and have continually provided me with either a loaner or a rental car while attempting to fix the problems. Now they are giving me a new 2017 Cascada, at no cost to me, to replace the 2016 Cascada. I should be driving it next week. I hope to update my review after having the opportunity to drive it for a month or so. I really loved the convertible (when it worked).

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  First ever Buick, nice but... - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Nikki - April 22 - 3:47 pm

  I bought this 2016 Encore brand new in April. Ive never owned a Buick. Cant say that I ever will again. I loved it until I had to take it to the dealership on October 28th. 10,000 miles and it had to have 3 pistons and rings replaced. When I picked it up yesterday, the check engine light came back on as soon as I pulled off the lot. Took it back, they checked it and "fixed it" and I took off in it again. Just out of the parking lot and the light comes back on. SO, my car is still in the shop with no idea of when I will get it back. Im thinking I bought a lemon.

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  I call this the Buick death trap - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Laura - April 10 - 3:25 pm

  My car has had one problem after another. Do not buy one. I call it the death trap because I will drive down the freeway anywhere from 30 to 70 miles and my car will shut off. No warning signs! The worst part is it stops like I have slammed the brakes, eveything in my car goes flying. So there my car will sit from 70mph to 0 mph in a matter of seconds. You cant steer it off the road, you just have to pray no one hits you. GM can not fix it, so I guess I have to wear my seatbelt, and I am thinking of getting a bumper sticker letting people know my car will stop instantly to prevent accidents.

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  Another Tin Can - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Ed Curry - March 26 - 1:04 pm

  This car is a rattle trap. Now that that is said, I purchased mine about 2 months ago and I am having problems with a front speaker that starts buzzing when the car starts cooling down. I have taken back to the dealership for this and a rear view mirror that was poorly tightened at the factory. The mirror was fixed but the speaker still buzzes on AM and Bluetooth phone conversations. The top had started rattling on the driver side rear and that was fixed to be replaced by a rattle on the passenger side rear now. To add to that when the front pieces of the dash were removed now the plastic creaks and rattles with every bump in the road. Only 5200 miles and ready to regretfully trade it in.

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  2005 Terreza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By darin - March 16 - 5:24 pm

  Have had bad front brakes at 18,000. Dealer told me that the pads had heat glazed and wanted $290 for new pads. Put new pads on myself. Car still shaking when braking at 25,000 miles. Headlights and dashlights flicker when accelerating. Replaced radio and DVD player once at 10,000 miles. Not happy with it overall

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  More GM junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By ken kondrat - February 10 - 6:25 am

  We bought this vehicle because it has enough head room for me to drive it. I am 67" and I do not fit in many vehicles GM makes. The full size pickups have less head room. During warranty they changed 3 front wheel bearings, stereo speakers and 2 starters. Now at 88,000 miles the intake manifold gasket is bad and I am getting quotes from $400.00 to $1200. A piece of Mexican made junk!

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  Worst car ever owned - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By melissa - January 30 - 2:10 am

  This is the worst and most unsafe car I have ever owned or driven! Heard this was a flop from GM. The car rocks like a boat when driving and on highways the car is pushed when passing of a truck or bigger vehicle. Computer system in this car is a nightmare! Constantly in the shop! Biggest and costliest mistake!

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  Thumper the vibrating Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By moonjoker - December 3 - 8:05 pm

  This car was in the showroom. I bought without driving. Big mistake. Took it back for a vibration problem in 2 weeks. Aligned it. 2nd time changed engine mounts. I was told to put 800 miles on before returning. 3rd visit they told me the car was to spec and that is just the way it drove. The service manager was very passive about my problem. 4th visit at my request the wheels were road forced balanced. Some correction was made but the car still vibrates. The service manager said that I might want to replace the tires with Michelins. 5th all the oil drained car towed. 6th the battery quit charging. The car is not safe to drive over 45mph. This car is junk.