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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  Nice car with a few disappointments - 2012 Buick Verano
  By Dennis Lovejoy - April 4 - 8:16 pm

  There are 42,000 miles on the car. Its comfortable, very quiet, handles well, and seem to be very solid! Minor complaints are that it had a defective battery, black soot discolors the white car around the tailpipe, and the ventilation system emits a bad odor whenever it rains or the humidity is high. The Buick dealership has the car now to fix the ventilation system. If they cant fix it, its so bad, well get rid of the car.

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  Very uncomfortable seats - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By tiorob - March 31 - 11:22 pm

  Really like the car and the drive however there is one huge issue that makes me wish I never bought this vehicle. Since I bought this car I have had major neck issues. The drivers seat neck rest is extremely uncomfortable and has created ongoing issues. I am upside down on the lease and have been told by two dealers that there is nothing they can do. Yet I understand they completely changed the head rest design in the newer models. My husband refuses to drive it because it is very uncomfortable for him as well. Does anyone have a solution or similar issue? I still have over a year left on the lease. Like the Buick but disappointed in the issue not being resolved.

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  2001 Buick Century Custom. - 2001 Buick Century
  By Oleg Dyachuk - March 29 - 2:44 pm

  I had this handed to me as my first car, dont remember much about it but I know it had over 130k miles and it was leaking oil. I had it for 2 weeks until I fell asleep at 6 AM and crashed into an utility pole with it. cracked the pole in half and totalled the car. But i was perfectly fine, walked away with a tiny scratch over my eyebrow from the airbag.

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  Not worth it - 2015 Buick Verano
  By standonit - March 24 - 5:03 pm

  I have been driving this Verano for 3 weeks. Thankfully, it is a company car. I would never buy it. Do not try to put adults in the rear seats. There is not enough leg room. The trunk lid does not open enough. I have to bend way over to keep from hitting my head on the trunk lid...OUCH! When I adjust the steering to a comfortable level, it blocks out the temperature and fuel gauge, and the top of the speedometer. Finally, this car likes fuel for a 4cyl engine. I am averaging 26-27mpg over a combination of interstate and rural US highways. Again, thankfully, this is a company car.

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  Do not over look this model - 2015 Buick Verano
  By daytonamichael - March 22 - 9:21 pm

  This car may look small. but it has a lot going for it, 4 cylinder is perfect for Florida, since its flat and easy on the gas, navigation is easy to use, as well. Long with Lane Departure and Lane assist.

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  GMC recall letter for frontend problem - 2015 Buick Verano
  By Philip Jones - March 10 - 11:48 am

  Took car to Dealer for this recall problem ( steering wheel not centered and auto drifts to the left.)It still has the problem and even after a test drive, the auto rep said the problem was not their concern.

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  A Love Hate Relationship - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Eva Stone - March 6 - 9:58 pm

  Bought this 06 in 2010 with 37,000 miles. Great handling and very comfortable car with lots of cargo for hauling my music gear. Then it left me stranded with a radiator problem at about 85,000 miles. Trial and error to fix that left me stranded several times. Kind of been down hill from there. Chrome fell off the wheels, had to replace those. Have LOTS of problems with the front end, wheel bearings and such. This winter got extremely cold and the fuel sensor went out, left me traveling with a maximum speed of 30 MPH several times till we replaced that. Im at 137,000 and the front axes is grinding and will need to be replaced. I think its time to replace the car.

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  largest disappointment of my life - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By John V Brown - February 25 - 1:52 pm

  we purchased our 2010 new. HUD, NAV, AWD, this was the nicest car in town. look, I am not going to explain all the problems, from mechanical, electrical, brakes. We recently traded it. This car gave me an ulcer. I have over 20 thousand dollars worth of paperwork to prove repairs. Not to mention the car was turning into a rust pile. Do yourself a favor, if you have one, or are thinking of purchasing one, it is not worth it, not even if it has been given to you.

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  It seized on the highway No warning lights - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Dwayne Selby - February 22 - 7:36 pm

  I got a great deal on this used LaSabre from a friend whose mom had gone into a permanent nursing facility. The car had only 120K miles and its oil changes every 5K. It died at 135K miles. We were on the highway doing 85 when there was an odd slapping noise, like a loose undershield. It got louder so, I pulled over and just as I came to a stop the engine died and seized. No warning lights or anything to tell me that there was something wrong. Steves mom was a holy terror and witch. I guess she rubbed off onto the car and we caught the bad end of it.

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  Buick lights - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By carhawk77 - February 19 - 10:20 am

  There is a problem with the lights circuity design. You can find many stories of the problems. It relates to low beams not working and also daytime lights also fail at the same time. Model years affected, 2006 thru 2009. After a massive number of complaints, Buick had no choice to post a recall notice. So even though officially recalled, Buick has not yet found a fix. The problem is where they located the relay box. It actually gets so hot that it melts down at which time you are left only with your high beams. "GM Recall N 140291 issued 11/25/2014. Title: Low Beam Headlamp". :Recall Status: Remedy Not Available as of 02/16 2015". So why arent dealers telling potential buyers about this??