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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  NOT BAD FOR A "GRAMPA" CAR! - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By Mr. T - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1990 LeSabre Limited Sedan from September 1998 until December of 2001 when I (reluctantly) sold it to my cousin. The big Buick was one of the best cars Ive owned. The car had 68,000 well-cared for miles on it when I bought it and 134,000 when I sold it. Aside from routine and preventative maintenance, I had to put in a starter and alternator. Not a chick-magnet car for sure, but as far as a comfy ride, the Buicks cant be beat!

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  Great Car - 1997 Buick Century
  By tpalya - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Quiet and comfortable, we bought this car used and have been happy ever since. Replacing factory tires with Goodyear Regatta-2 improved handling and ride beyond belief. Great family car, reliable and inexpensive to operate.

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  nice - 2003 Buick Century
  By thomas - August 24 - 2:00 am

  very good car for the money nice firm ride very happy so far

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  Buick Century Review - 2000 Buick Century
  By Cars4me89 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Extremely comfortable and great performance.

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  Buick Century Review - 2000 Buick Century
  By Mewithcars - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Extremely comfortable and great performance.

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  Great Car - 1996 Buick Regal
  By bron - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car with less than 20000 miles...never had a single problem and now have over 80000 miles. Would buy another.

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  Ride your living room couch! - 1997 Buick Century
  By ddouglas2 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! It has all the bells and whistles and has been very reliable. The only problems weve had have been from zero maintenance the first 75000 miles before we bought it. After a transmission rebuild its been flawless.

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  Oops, We spilled it again! - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Bryan C - August 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. If you use it as a family car, the back seat is cramped. Also, the center console is engineered poorly. As a result in our Regal, a soda spilt onto the console shorting out the entire electrical system of the car. The car would start w/o keys in the ignition, windows would operate w/o touching the controls, radio and dome lights would not turn off thus depleteing the charge on the battery. We were told that the 8 days worth of labor WOULD NOT be covered under GMs bumper to bumper warranty. Only time will tell if Buick sold us a lemon.

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  Fun - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By 00Buckshot - August 14 - 2:00 am

  If Buick still made these I would buy a new one in a heartbeat.

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  PCM Problems - 2001 Buick Regal
  By DiVito - August 14 - 2:00 am

  In October of 1991 I had problems with the car motor engine quiting while in motion-- this required 2 separate tows to the dealer-=The problem was finally diagnosed as the PCM moduled was not communicating with other modules-- it was replaced and the problem resolved until 08/02-- the car is back at the dealer as on two occasions the car wouldnt start, turn the key no turn over no click nothing-- after about 40 attemps the car started. The dealer thinks it may be a PCM problem again.