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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  A Buick Truck..Amazing - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Buick Truck???? - March 11 - 2:41 pm

  The best truck noone ever heard of. Powerful V8, smooth ride, quiet and pure luxury. Everone that gets into this vehicle for the first time tells me what a nice truck this is and when I mention its a Buick they are astounded.

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  I Like Grand Mas Car - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Eddie C - March 11 - 2:06 am

  I purchased my Buick with 143200 miles. Replaced Upper Gaskets ($1420) and Oil Pan Gasket ($220). Replaced LH RWM ($215). Runs Like New. OC every 3K. CV Boots wearing will replace soon. 172500 and counting. AVG 22.5 MPG City / 30 HWY

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  Wont do that again - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By charlie_m - March 9 - 11:16 am

  Bought in 04 with 25K miles - needed something that would fit a 63 teenage boy. It was great the first year or so, then started nickel-and-diming me. At 125K miles, and nickels and dimes are now up to $1000 repair bills. Poor mileage - gets about 20 mpg average. Cheap interior - coating chips off of radio and climate control knobs No interior release for the rear hatch. Now the exterior release doesnt work. Back seat fold-down handle slips. Cant find replacements anywhere. Replaced both front wheel bearings last year, just replaced rear wheel bearing and cylinder head gasket. Should replace rear suspension knuckles, but Im still recovering from the head gasket replacement.

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  Excellent Vehicle! - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Brad - March 8 - 12:46 pm

  This is the best vehicle my wife and I have purchased. THe quality is outstanding. A relative of ours had the 2008 Enclave CX and we couldnt wait to get rid of our Trailblazer to get one. It drives smoothly, is VERY quiet, and we enjoy the XM radio. We test drove the Mazda CX-9, the Toyota Rav4 and the Toyota Highlander. The Enclave CX came with the most "bells- and whistles" standard than any vehicle we looked at.

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  Very Good - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Roseguy - March 8 - 4:19 am

  In 66,000, miles - a clunk in the drivers seat that the dealer fixed under warranty. No other problems or issues. The LeSabre is excellent for long trips because it is comfortable, smooth, quiet, and gets outstanding mileage for a car this size. I always get my tires "trued", and that makes this car even better.

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  Smooth, Quiet, Stylish - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By BS - March 7 - 8:47 pm

  We test drove the Cadillac SRX and Mercedes R350, but the Enclave beat them both, hands down. Much quieter and smoother ride and more cargo room.

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  the greatest car ever - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By dmb - March 7 - 12:34 pm

  The 2009 buick enclave is the best vehicle for the money. I love all the features and the price was more than reasonable.

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  Dream car - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Kathleen - March 5 - 7:39 pm

  I bought this from a man who said it was to expensive to drive. I love it! It has been sitting for a year because of the price of gasoline. Have put a new battery in it and I hope to drive it for awhile now. Have thought about selling it, but just cannot let myself too. Would buy another if Buick made one.

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  Dont buy one - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By wayne - March 5 - 3:49 pm

  We like the van but have had to much trouble with it. I want go into averything but the biggest this is what were having trouble as I write this. The starter keeps on turning after the motor cranks. It will stop the motor dead. You hae to crank it again and sometimes it takes three times befor you can drive. Have had it back three times and today was told it was a normal thing this van does and would have to live with it. Can you beleave that. Buick want install a new starter and its still under the 36 thousand ,3 year coverage. Guess we will be useing the North Carolina lemon law. Going to give them a few more days.Dont Buy one. You will be sorry.

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  Leaky Sunroof/Roof - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Culpster - March 4 - 4:43 pm

  We have a 2008 Enclave, and where as I love the basics of the car - the sunroof leaks terribly. I have taken it in three times, every time they say it is fixed and it is not. We live in Oregon, and rain happens a lot here, and this issue is really frustrating. I dont care that it is under warranty - it is a huge inconvenience and frustrations. I would not recommend buying one with a sunroof because I have now read on-line that a lot of people have the same problem. So if you want a nice car with no sunroof, I would recommend it - but with a sunroof I would not.