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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  Lucious Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Jim Wheeler - September 29 - 10:50 pm

  Before shopping for our new Lucerne I checked Edmunds.com. One reviewer said (paraphrasing): "If you think you need more luxury than the new Lucerne, you need therapy." Those are my sentiments in a nutshell. This is the car GM tried to build 9-10 years ago with the Olds Aurora. My wife and I passed then, largely due to price. With the new Buick Lucerne-CXL, we have just about everything we could have wanted, including the Northstar, V-8; leather seats; and chrome, 17-inch wheels for a lot less money. I was astounded at what we got for what we paid--a $40,000 car for $27,500. Its in the color we wanted, Sagemist metallic. The car is powerful and ultra-quiet. A must-see for a new car shopper.

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  Grandpa Speed - 1998 Buick Regal
  By collegekid - September 29 - 4:45 am

  This has been a great car. I bought it at 130,000 miles, and put on another 30k. The drivetrain is awesome. Good styling inside and out. Surprisingly quick for a big sedan. Im also getting good fuel economy with an average of 23 mpg, and almost 30 mpg on the highway. Very smooth ride. Warning, flush dex-cool out right away. If not flushed, it will slowly rot out intake gaskets. Its not severe but your gasket will start to seep if you never change your coolant. If you maintain this car, it will be a great car. Im very satisfied with this car. In my opinion, its just as good as all the more expensive imports.

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  Fuel Gauge incorrect - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By RAM - September 28 - 11:02 am

  Overall, I am happy with this car. However, the fuel gauge does not give me accurate readings. If I start the car on an unlevel surface the gauge will not give me an accurate reading. Depending on whether the car is on an incline/decline the gauge will give me a higher/lower reading (off by a 1/4 reading) than what is in the tank. According to Buick, this is normal and it may take up to 10 miles of driving for the gauge to correct itself and give me an accurate reading. This makes no sense at all. I am not pleased.

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  Im 62" and they did it right! - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By P. Robb - September 26 - 4:55 pm

  26 MPG with the A/C on at 6,000 feet and above. I just converted it to E85 Ethanol at $1.99 per gallon and 105 Octane... sweet! This wagon is fast, quiet, roomy, and very dependable! Oh yeah, parts and repairs have been cheap! After all, its a Chevy driveline! Mine has power front seats, both driver and shotgun. And, Im certain that anyone with headroom issues has failed to properly lower the seats as I have loads of headroom and armroom and legroom. This wagon is an absolute pleasure to drive. If you seek comfort, spaciousness, and economy at a bargain price, you should look at the 1996 Roadmaster!

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  Well pleased - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By jimj - September 25 - 8:17 pm

  Now have 600 miles on car and remain generally pleased. Car is a great value, rides too good. At 65mph, feels like 40 mph. Hope it does not get me too many tickets. Some improvements could be added. Trunk has no handle to open lid, requires fingernails be placed under lid to open. Power steering pump requires coolant bottle be removed to check fluid level. Love the trip computer, but need to figure out how it works. Car should have fuel range of 510 miles with a full tank, but computer says about 375 at fill up, then increases as I drive. I guess its reacting to how fast/economically I am driving, but I would prefer it to go the the full range at fillup and then reduce available miles as I drive

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  RAM - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Roger - September 25 - 10:32 am

  My third Buick, previous two were LeSabres. This is by far the best, a smooth quite ride. The 3.8 V6 has plenty of power for me.

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  The Americans Finally Did It Right - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By CARL - September 23 - 11:00 am

  Great looking car. I get a lot of complaimts on it. Its loaded to the max. I am 6-3 and the room inside is great. Got the old school split seat 40 20 40. Ii can sit behind me with the seat all the way back. Gas mileage is not what they say, getting 10 miles to the gal not 17 to 19, but I live in Brooklyn, so we stop every 20 feet. I was a Lincoln owner for 30 years. They lost my bussiness and did not care that they lost me. Being old school, the car needs whitewall tires. Put vogues on it. Really a sharp looking car

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  My Favorite SUV - Rendevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Nancy Smith - September 19 - 6:06 pm

  When SUVs became so popular I thought I would enjoy one. My husband drives a Silverado Pickup and I like to drive it. We had a Cadilac for 2 years. I test drove a buick Rendevous and my husband and I agreed it was the vehicle we wanted. We could get in and out of it so much easier than the car and it is very comfortable and fun to drive! We are 76 years old and want another Rendevous when it is time to trade!

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  Best American Car on the Road Today - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Tom - September 19 - 2:22 pm

  Outstanding vehicle. I have never had a problem with it. Never even taken to the dealer for any warranty issue. Ive had many new cars in my 50 years but this is absolutely the best in every category.

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  Very happy owner - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By bob raskin - September 19 - 1:07 pm

  Effortless driving, smooth transmission. It handles well on curves and at hiway speed. Very quiet inside, zero road noise. No repair issues after 1 year of use