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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  Buick Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By tom - August 25 - 4:27 pm

  I really enjoy the comfortable ride and the soundproofing that was put into this car. Excellent room and has a large truck with low riser that my wife appreciates. Considered an Avalon but this was a better value based on pricing and features.

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  2006 Lucerne CX - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By waynenovotny - August 25 - 12:23 pm

  Weve only had the car a couple weeks but are very happy with it so far. Rides smooth and quiet and gets better mileage than my V-6 Chevy Malibu. It feels very solid on the road. Like a friend of mine said when he saw it, "that car screams road trip!"

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  Very nice vehicle - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dr Rodd - August 25 - 9:26 am

  I am eighty years old and this is a very nice car for me. Wife and I have been to Florida and we enjoyed the trip with our Buick. I have not noticed a power problem with the engine and I can average 28mpg on the highway. I tend to believe the third seat is a bit useless as the leg room is cramped but we have never used this seat and probably never will. I have the second row seats down most of the time as the headrests create a major blind spot problem and I am 6ft. 2in. My wife has much more of a problem than I. I intend to keep this SUV (probably) for the remainder of my life. We have only 17000 miles on the car and 21000 on our 2002 LeSabre limited which is a super car also.

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  The Best One Yet! - 2018 Buick Enclave
  By Jay - August 25 - 6:38 am

  Weve owned 2008 and 2012 Enclaves so we are familiar with the car. Coming from a series of minivans we loved the look of the 2008 Enclave, and the 2018 is a great improvement on the original. The Avenir is quieter, more luxurious, thriftier and more comfortable than the earlier versions. I particularly like the switchable AWD which lets us run in FWD most of the time. The technology is amazing: we especially like the birds-eye-view and the camera rear view mirror, though both took a bit of getting used to em. A feature not available on any non-GM suv is the OnStar app which lets us remotely start the engine. Arriving at the airport and being able to warm the car while waiting for our luggage is a real plus. We looked at most of the 3-row suvs available and, for price, features, cosmetics, and overall quality, nothing bests the Avenir, IMHO!

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  The Best One Yet! - 2018 Buick Enclave
  By Jay - August 24 - 3:56 pm

  Weve owned 2008 and 2012 Enclaves so we are familiar with the car. Coming from a series of minivans we loved the look of the 2008 Enclave, and the 2018 is a great improvement on the original. The Avenir is quieter, more luxurious, thriftier and more comfortable than the earlier versions. I particularly like the switchable AWD which lets us run in FWD most of the time. The technology is amazing: we especially like the birds-eye-view and the camera rear view mirror, though both took a bit of getting used to em. A feature not available on any non-GM suv is the OnStar app which lets us remotely start the engine. Arriving at the airport and being able to warm the car while waiting for our luggage is a real plus. We looked at most of the 3-row suvs available and, for price, features, cosmetics, and overall quality, nothing bests the Avenir, IMHO!

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  Great car - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Rob - August 23 - 7:33 pm

  This is the first American made car that I have ever purchased. No American cars ever interested me. I traded a 2004 Volvo XC90 for the Enclave. The Enclave is a big jump in quality especially for the price. The XC90 equipped similarly would cost $10K more. The ride is very smooth and quiet. We bought it loaded. My daughter loves the DVD. I like OnStar, navigation system, back-up camera and power liftgate. Adults can actually sit in the 3rd row comfortably. Behind the 3rd row there is room for luggage or coolers for tailgating. The gas mileage so far (800 miles) is not as good as the Volvo. The Enclave gets 15 MPG in the city. Overall, a great value. I highly recommend it.

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  Sporty Meets Luxury - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Latana - August 21 - 4:37 pm

  I have owned my Rainier since 12/31/2003. I have loved it from day one. I bought it sight unseen from a recommendation and have never regretted it. Mine is loaded. DVD system, Bose sound system with 6 cd changer, XM radio, OnStar, every option they had was on this SUV. It was my first SUV after always owning big luxury cars. I have never had to have any service but oil changes.

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  Try it, you will like it - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By jabutix - August 21 - 4:07 pm

  The car drives and rides beautifully. The family felt wonderful after a 600 mile drive, so conmfortable it is. I was amazed at the gas mileage. Very good for such a big car.

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  Lucerne is a jewel - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By jsieks - August 21 - 11:00 am

  After 6 months and a 3000 mile road trip to the midwest, I am still beaming about my Lucerne. Its design, a departure from older Buicks, is forward looking. The chrome portals (four of them) on each side not only designate the car as a Buick but puts a nifty look to the car. The power of the 8 cylinders in the CXL is very satisfying, allowing for safer changes of lanes on the highway and an occasional "gotcha" to all those red sports cars out there. The average MPG on the highway turns out to be about 24, not too bad for so much power and a 4000 pound vehicle. And, it is proof that an American vehicle is better than Asian cars

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  So far, excellent - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Geonar - August 21 - 8:05 am

  Had to have wheel alignment and tires changed before delivery, because of right pulling, and tires where out of round. After this correction, car ran good. False air bag alarm while starting engine, fault cleared after several starts, no record of problem in black box.