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 Amazing Luxury Car! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Dave - July 12 - 8:50 pm

  This car was well worth my 6-month wait as it has already exceeded my high expectations. The comfort, styling, performance it provides rivals that of much more expensive luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Infinity, Cadillac and the like. It is also fun to learn how to use all of the options and realize how sophisticated the electronics are in choosing how you want to operate the car. Im also very pleased with the OnStar service as it is very easy to use.

• 

  Superior Car - 1993 Buick Regal
  By jon - July 12 - 12:39 pm

  Very nice reliable car. Good performance and is very fun to drive. Nice features such as 8 speaker sound system with graphic equalizer. Engine and tranny still run smooth at 105,000 miles. Seating is comforatable even in back seats. No major problems with car. Suprisingly good fuel economy even with big V6 engine.

• 

  Wonderful - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jules - July 12 - 9:02 am

  Very fun car, have owned Infinitis, BMWs, and Mercedes, and this blows themn out of the water in style, performance, and luxury. Love the dual zone air conditioning. Had to floor the car to avoid getting in an accident on the highway and it was very responsive. Got a fully loaded CXL for 28,000. Thats what you pay for a base Infiniti. Opt for this.

• 

  Cool Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By RC - July 11 - 11:48 pm

  Bought CXS with all the options. Have had the car for about 3 weeks. Really like the ride and the comfort. Engine has excellent power and the trans is really smooth. Have owned a Park Ave. in the past and really liked it. I have the sharkskin color and it is really an awesome paint color. I am pleased with the car. The 18" wheels give it a very nice look and ride. Looking forward to many comfortable miles. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a quality car at a very good price.

• 

  Big Car--Good Gas Milage--sleepr! - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By Dan Bower - July 10 - 8:06 pm

  This big fast car gets around 17 mpg around town and 24 on the highway. Leather interior is luxurious, durable, and the air conditioning is so cold itll make your teeth hurt. The last year for the Roadmaster is first year for this 4L60E trans--bad combonation! Other than wrestling the trans problem to the ground, owning this agile pachaderm is fun and keeps the miles off the new iron, which is leased. I will not hestitate to get another one of these after this one answers the dispatcher of That Great Junk Yard In The Sky---but next time a low-mile kitty from, say, Palm Beach or Clearwater.

• 

  The best yet - 2000 Buick Regal
  By mrsmooth - July 7 - 2:57 am

  This is the best car that I have ever owned. No problems 68000 miles. And a body that never looks outdated.

• 

  Excellent Auto - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By DonBoltz - July 6 - 10:16 am

  This is my fourth Buick and they have all been good cars and I would buy another one in three to five years. GM has improved their construction of the cars and they are togather as good as the Japanese autos. I still believe in the autos of USA.

• 

  AWESOME!!! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By goodcarl - July 3 - 2:36 pm

  I ordered my car on Nov. 25 and picked it up on Jan. 25. This is the first time that I have ever owned an American brand new car. It was Infiniti 35M or Lucerne. Options on Lucerne not on Infiniti. The acceleration is smooth and quick. You hardly feel the gears shifting. At 70 MPH on the hwy, with the windows closed, the car is so quiet that the only noise you hear is the faint hum of the engine. Its a little eerie. Enough room in the back for a football game. I got two remotes, 1 for memory setting 1 and 1 for memory setting 2. I was using rmt 2 but setting 1 in car. Hitting mem 1 didnt work too well until the dealer figured it out. OnStar features are exceptional, esp. the phone.

• 

  Exceptional Car! - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By Emily - June 26 - 12:04 pm

  I have now owned two 1992 Buick Rivieras and can honestly say these are the two best cars Ive ever purchased. Looks, comfort, gas mileage and the greatest engine every made! My first riviera had 157,000 miles on it I gave to a fire victim in Julian, California and 4 years later its still running! I missed that car from the day it left my driveway until I finally found my new pearl from Pasadena. I wish Buick still made these cars! If you can get your hands on a low mileage car -buy it!

• 

  Quality car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By jim wojciechowski - June 25 - 12:42 am

  Much improved over Century, attractive interior, quiet ride and lots of convenient gadgets, fun to drive has all comforts and feel of larger car. Very solid, excellent finished product.