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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  Very happy - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Impressed - May 25 - 12:17 pm

  I saw the Enclave about a year ago and started my research immediately. Compared to all the other sport looking crossovers, with a three pass third row seat, the Buick has the most standard features at a better or comparable price point. I had a Tahoe, and I loved it, except for the cargo behind the third row, I couldnt even fit a standard stroller back there, so this time I was looking for the passenger room and functionality, and I found it. My kids can easily access the third row. It has all the pretty things that I wanted, to include the dual sun roofs and power liftgate. It looks hot, drives like a dream, and made all my friends jealous! And, you cant beat the warranty! Thanks!

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  Never though I would drive a Buick - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By mark - May 23 - 10:15 pm

  We narrowed our choice down to the Audi Q7, Acura MDX and finally bought an 2009 Enclave CXL AWD (Carbon Black). We truly love the car. Very roomy. Great design. Super quiet. Handling very good for an SUV. The third row comfortable for three. We are a family of four. GM did a good job on this car. This is an excellent SUV Crossover that should be striving to be the best in every category, it has that kind of potential. There is need for some tweaking, such as real wood, better MPG and throttle response/shift adjustment. I would highly suggest the Enclave to anyone looking for a solid, well designed SUV.

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  last of the best - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By tikiwagon - May 23 - 6:32 pm

  I had been wanting a "Roadie" wagon since i was 16 and now that I finally have one im not disappointed. the best car ive owned... there are owners clubs out there for these cars (they are called B-Bodies ). parts are still readily available. i live in hilly western pa and I get 22-25 hwy mpg i have gotten as high as 28 in flat florida on vacation. the car drives smaller than it is. and is not hard to park. it will carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. the areas to look closely at when buying one are 1. body rot particularly the 1/4 panel just past the rear tires. 2. air compressor issues (if air suspension equipped) 3. rear axle leaks 4. water leaks.

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  A Pleasant Drive - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Better Buy Buick - May 23 - 2:29 pm

  We ordered our Enclave as we did not want a lot of the options on cars the dealer had on his lot. We have been extremely well pleased for the most part. We travel with our dog and there is room for the crate plus luggage. Last fall we traveled from Michigan to Boston and got 31-33 mpg on the New York Thruway traveling at the 65 mph speed limit. Coming home on both the Thruway and side trips we averaged 28 mph. Dont know what we get around town. We liked the styling inside and out which is what attracted us to the car after doing much research. Two of our neighbors were so impressed with the car they bought one themselves. One of them traded in a newer Lincoln cross over.

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  Buick Lucerne - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Albert Strickland - May 21 - 1:11 pm

  This is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. I have owned Cadillacs Olds, and Pontaics over the years and some of them were bad. It is a shame that it took GM this long to wake up and build a car of the caliber

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  NICE! - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Wiggs - May 21 - 10:31 am

  First drove an Enclave in September, when I first started thinking of a new vehicle. I drove the Buick, the Acadia, Honda Pilot, Outlook, Highlander and Ford Escape. The Enclave was like steering butter. Oh so smooth. It is a very classy and comfortable vehicle with room to spare. It is unbelievably quiet and the drive is smooth. I bought 3 weeks ago. Got a beautiful vehicle at a very good price and enjoy getting behind the wheel every day!

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  My Baby - 2017 Buick Regal
  By Blake Byrd - May 21 - 9:34 am

  Like any vehicle it has features that you love and some you like. The Sport Touring is nice looking with no Turbo for better gas mileage. The GS model is fast but doesnt have any eye appeal. I purchased the Sport Touring with the premium II package that is the Sport Touring with a Turbo the best of both worlds.

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  Nice vehicle - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ann - May 20 - 5:44 pm

  Very nice ride. I bought the 07 CX with the luxury package with 27,000 miles for $13,900. Ive put on 1,000 miles since I bought it. I think I got a great deal. Very smooth ride, I have to be careful on the highway because I dont notice when Im speeding. My husband is 61" and has plenty of head room.

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  power window regulators failed Lesabre C - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Richaw - May 20 - 12:29 pm

  Overall I like the car. Serious problems all 4 power window regulators have failed within a period of 12,000 miles. I replaced the right front myself, to the tune of $375.00 for the part only. Then the right rear failed, it is being held in the up position with a piece of wood jammed under the regulator arm. All 4 have failed for the same reason. They are running a metal cable over a plastic pulley wheel and using a plastic spool on the motor. When the plastic pulley wheel breaks the cable misalignes on the spool and the window wont go up. Any Idiot that designed this should be fired. The regulator that I replaced was the same design as the original. GM has lost my business for good.

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  GM did it this time! - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By Diana Cote - May 19 - 10:05 pm

  We have always had an Olds or buick and the 2009 Buick LaCrosse is fabulous. It is luxurious and very roomy with an incredible trunk. Its fun to drive and extremely comfortable and we got 29 MPG on a highway trip. I agree that we need to "Buy American". We always have and hope to continue in the future!