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:

• 

  97 Buick Le Saber - Custom - 23.5 MPG - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By KDM - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Very good vehicle - few problems - good gas mileage 23.5 MPG for the life of the car to date - 107,500 miles. Regular service performed on schedule provided good life.

• 

  fairly unhappy - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By wcracechick - July 4 - 2:00 am

  i purchased my 98 riv with 61000 miles on it thinking that i would not have any mechanical problems but i was wrong. the transmission started acting up 1 week after we got it home. I previously owned a 95 riviera and had some minor problems but nothing major. Other than the transmission trouble the car is a blast to drive and gets lots of looks. The fuel mileage is excellent and i love the extra power the supercharger makes.

• 

  my regal - 2003 Buick Regal
  By artcara - July 4 - 2:00 am

  this is my third regal, each one has been great, I love the 3800 engine , it moves when needed, good gas mpg,and comfortable.

• 

  HEAVY CRUISER - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By max38 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Where else on the planet can you find such a versitile car like this... without going broke ? Full perimiter frame, power to spare, an ungodly towing capacity, all the creature comforts... and the damn things just dont die ! Great for family or formal.

• 

  Rende-view - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ron2004 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Our Rendevous has provided us with the room to travel. My wife needs a wheel- chair when we go off in unknown territory since she is a stroke survivor. With our car, that limited us as to what we could take on trips because the chair took up so much space. Now we have plenty of room. The car was also hard for her to get in and out of but the Rendevous is the perfect height.

• 

  An American Beauty - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Rhino - June 29 - 2:00 am

  In a word, smooth. No mind boggling performance, dont throw this soft riding machine into curves with abandon just drive safely and enjoy gobs of seamless power and shifting, and go for tireless miles of trouble free driving with outstanding gas mileage. So its what your mom & dad or grandma & grandpa drive? Maybe they know something you dont???

• 

  Pretty Good - 1999 Buick Riviera
  By Manly_dude - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Has great pick up, good for freeway driving, but has a little trouble handling. Exterior is so-so, too long.

• 

  Good buy - 2000 Buick Regal
  By densaw - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Has been dependable. Better gas mileage than expected, but go easy on the supercharger or this drops fast. Very comfortable and handles and responds nicely.Nice interior but cup holders are in awkward position. The car is heavy and you must be aware of this when trying to stop. Automatic transmission smoth and flawless. All in all a good buy.

• 

  1992 buick regal gs - 1992 Buick Regal
  By fkcz - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 1992,overall good car,comfortable on long trips.I have had several maint.issues, but it has never stranded me.I have replaced alternator twice, front brake pads 4 times,front rotors once, water pump once.All the rest was normal main.,tires,battery

• 

  The Good,The Bold, and The Big - 1992 Buick Roadmaster
  By spongsk8erbubba - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Other then back road handling...its all good.