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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  Would not recommend - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By lockhart1998 - August 11 - 9:35 pm

  I bought this car used with 59k miles. Loved the car at first site. Unfortunately, I have had to replace wheel hubs 4 times, the rear hatch pull down broke, and the AWD (ABS) system is on again. I wanted to support American made cars, however I am very disappointed.

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  Terreza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Sara - August 9 - 4:20 pm

  I hate this car! I bought it used, but within 6 months I had lights coming on, and was told its a dirty sensor and to put $10 fuel additive in it every time I get gas, which is once a week. Now, Ive had it for 2 years, spent $1000 on fuel additive and more lights are coming on. The remote start stopped working, the gas gauge stopped working and guess what, warrantys expired. $1500 min if I want it fixed. I am looking to trade it in!

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  Nice feel but lots of repairs - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By PhillyGirl - August 5 - 11:39 pm

  We loved our Buick at first. Within 3 days of purchase our windshield wipers stopped working in a snow storm because the motor on wiper blew? We had to get a new transmission 3 years into the car and was asked to pay $6,000. The warranty had expired. I never ever had to pay for a new transmission in a 3+year car.

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  I used to be a GM Fan. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Doug G - August 5 - 4:44 pm

  Mine was preowned but practically new when I got it. Great looks and design concept, but disappointing quality. The gears stripped out in the power seat control and was replaced (Im not Fat) The entire steering column was replaced to eliminate a persistent knocking There is a constant rubber- on-rubber squeak when you turn the steering wheel, which the dealer tells me he has brand new Enclaves with the same problem and Buick has no fix a water pump went out last month in cold weather the front end cracks and pops and sounds like the FWD drive train and suspension is flying apart drips oil. Generally speaking, its looks good and is comfortable, but is a typical, poorly built U.S. car

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  Power windows - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Debbie - August 4 - 7:51 pm

  Do not ever ever think of buying this car. Power windows were cheaply made and they will all stop working. Cost is $400-500 to repair each window and that does not guarantee it will not happen again. Only fix is to permanently lock windows so they can never be used but how safe or logical is that? Apparently Buick does not care - never issued a recall because there is/was no safety issue. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!

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  Not as roomy as Id expect - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By Michael - July 26 - 3:50 pm

  I have owned this Buick for a year now, and am overall quite pleased with it. My only complaint is that I hit my head getting in and out of the car and I am only 59". I have difficulty reaching the door to close it after i get in my head hits the door frame constantly.

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  Never again - 1999 Buick Century
  By Raymond - July 25 - 6:02 pm

  I thought this was going to be a great car when i first got it, i was wrong. So many thing broke down on this car. All the windows stopped working, AC stopped blowing cold, Alternator gave out, intake manifold gaskets wore out, radiator went bad, brake lines rusted out, water pump went bad, wheel alignment is off wearing out tires very quickly. This car has been a real inconvenience and it only has 113k on it. I know many other people who have the same type of problems with their buicks. This car has been very unreliable, i dont trust it at all, and i sure as hell wouldnt recommend one. Seriously im never buying a GM product ever again.

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  Bad Gas Milage and Poor Pick up - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By barbara Kocanda - June 26 - 11:04 pm

  I was told by the dealership that this car gets at least 22 miles to gallon, but after driving it for 3 months I have come to find out that I only get 16 to 18 miles to a gallon. What a disappointment. Plus, this car has zero pick up. I will probably trade this car in as soon as possible.

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  Noise in Front Engine Rubbing squeaking - 2010 Buick Lucerne
  By Bj Couch - June 25 - 8:54 pm

  Just purchased the 2010 Lucern had it 4 days and all of sudden the front end sounded like the traction bars or the suspension made all kinds of racket noises. After reading all the ratings I am very sorry that I purchased a Buick Lucern, I wish I went with the STS or DTS Caddy. I will track everything for possible Lemon on this car. My Aunt and Uncle has a 2007 and always complained about it, I thought they were spoiled with the Park Avenue 2001 they had and compared it to Lucern, rightly so, I think GM has a lot of problems still and this car was not and is not the GM quality that they use to have. Maybe I should have gotten a Malibu!

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  New/Old owner - 2002 Buick Regal
  By Isiah1 - June 21 - 8:57 pm

  Just purchased a 2002 LS with 76K. From the initial drive I automatically fell in love with the car. All the positive comments has made me feel even better about my purchase today.......