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:

• 

  An American Classic - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By cgascoupe - June 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car with 33,500 miles on it, and in excellent condition with almost new tires. Weve put almost 1,500 miles on the car, and I can honestly say that the car is a joy to drive. The performance is outstanding. The 3800 Series II supercharged engine provides as much or more torque than several V8s. The car is quiet, the sound system is great a wonderful highway cruiser.

• 

  Solid, strong car - 1996 Buick Regal
  By SleeStaK911 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as a program car with 19k on it. Lots of power, nice anemities and handling. Huge, comfy back seat. Bad lumbar support, though. Only replaced water pump and alternator during life of car! Hate to sell it, but the floormats are all wore out!...

• 

  Bought new, great car! - 1998 Buick Century
  By BobO - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Love the car. Very, very comfortable seats, smooth ride. Great on long trips. Only problem so far, after 4 yrs/30,000 mi. -- after two years the comfort control display began to fade - replaced under warranty. Would certainly consider buying again.

• 

  Comfort Not performance - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Cheshire - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The 98 Buick is a smooth riding, dependable car. The only bad thing is that it has a tendency to waddle on turns and when changing lanes.

• 

  Tracers review - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By Tracer - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Nice car, It sold me on Buicks. I dont believe I would purchase any other car, I have owned Fords, Chevrolet, Ford Van, Plymouth, Dodge and an Opel.

• 

  Handling characteristics - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Robert Rhodes - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle seems to have a very comfortable ride and seems to handle well on interstate highways. Seems to be quite stable.

• 

  2002 Regal LS - 2002 Buick Regal
  By lamronh49 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Excellent torque from 3.8, transmission is better than Accord or Concorde/Intrepid. Doors tinny compared to Accord. Excellent pull from 1000 rpm on. This car needs serious help in the handling department due to poor standard tire selection and squishy struts. If Buick expects their demographics to change they need to develop leadership rather than wait for the earring crowd to buy these.

• 

  Pretty good - 1998 Buick Skylark
  By memememe - June 6 - 2:00 am

  First the bad stuff. My Skylark has needed new brakes, a new fuel pump and a new fuel injector so far. I have driven it from 29K miles up to 72K. The carpet under the drivers left foot is disintegrating. Now the good stuff. This car gets pretty good mileage. I can usually go 400 highway miles before adding another 13.5 to 14 gallons to the tank. The V6 is decently zippy. The governor stops at 104, but the engine hasnt even started to get loud at that point and control is still very good. Unlike some cars, you could drive this one at 95+ for hours without trouble.

• 

  My Grand Sport - 1995 Buick Regal
  By I am Jimmy - June 6 - 2:00 am

  96000 miles and it just runs great. 25.5 mpg mixed driving. Ride is realy great.

• 

  1990 Skylark w/ Noisy 2.5L Tech4 Engine - 1990 Buick Skylark
  By James Robert - June 5 - 2:00 am

  This little car is a great A-to-B car or family car. The Tech 4 2.5l 4- cylinder is really noisy, but will run forever. I made the mistake of thinking it was valves tapping or an engine knock. But the two different machincs I took it to both said similar remarks, "The engine has a plasic timing gear that makes a lot of noise, even brand new, but it is nothing to worry about. Just keep up on regular maintence and shell run forever." I have only heard of imports that reliable, not a Buick. But this car has shown me GM has and can make a reliable 4-cylinder car that last. At 129k miles itll prbably go another 200k.