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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  Great Vehicle Fun to drive - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By laurie - June 22 - 1:10 pm

  This vehicle handles great and has great comfort features. The third row seat is really nice because it folds down flat. This vehicle has the feel of a luxury vehicle yet the look of a small SUV. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned and would definitely recommend it to others.

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  I love the luxury feel and performance! - 2000 Buick Century
  By wuzo15 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Buick Limited for 5 years. I bought it used. The only problem Ive had was the automatic window on the drivers side stopped working and had to be repaired for about $250.00...otherwise, just the normal wear and tear, tires, brakes, the usual.

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  Have a Rendezvous! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By by crg/Ga. - June 17 - 10:07 pm

  This was my 1st new car & I can say nothing bad about this beauty! Its comfort is impeccable, its class is luxurious, I love this car. I have had it now for 4 yrs., and I would buy this car again! I have had so many comments about how beautiful it is, from day one. I have had wonderful service from it, and I have taken very good care of mine. I keep up with all service on it. Thats the key. It takes me everywhere safely! Love it!

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Glenn - June 15 - 5:15 pm

  Very comfortable on a long trip. Fuel economy is very good for this type vehicle.There is plenty of room for passengers and luggage and whatever else one needs for trips. Car can be driven for long periods without driver fatigue. I have the CXL option and this gives me everything I need in the vehicle. The visibility out of the car is also very good. The car is also easy to drive and park in the city. The vehicle is very quiet and this makes conversation easy and pleasant. We looked at vans, sedans, and Suvs and found the Buick Rendevous to blend the best of each of these vehicles into one vehicle.

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  2005 LaCrosse CXS - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By caddycart - June 15 - 12:29 pm

  Have owned this car for one year and Ilove it. Would like it better if it got a little better gas mileage but I do like the new engine. Would also like mine to have the new 4 year warranty.

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  Surprised and Delighted - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Karen S. Wilson - June 13 - 9:08 pm

  I really liked the style of this vehicle. I had a Lincoln Cont. I loved that car, but it was a 98 and started to have costly problems. I am not a GM person. I seen this black on black leather car in the showroom. It had everything and more that my Lincoln had. Remote start and 6 cyl. Better gas mileage I thought. I bought it and have not regreted it. I have had alot of compliments on the looks. It runs great and has everything that a high priced Lexus, Infinity or Lincoln would have only it doesnt hurt my pocket book. I really like the fact that it is Front wheel drive. I live in Ohio and wont own anything but. The Zepher was very high priced.

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  2004 Buick Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By frobert micco - June 11 - 11:00 pm

  I have had this car for 60,000 miles. I am 67, have owned a large number of cars, domestic and import. I can tell you, this one is the best.

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  Classy and Sporty - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ignatius Pagano - June 8 - 3:32 am

  Safety features are great-Automatic Vertical and parallel parking feature needs getting used to. Corrective steering is great when getting near edge of road or other lane. New shifting system is outstanding. Voice recognition features very improved along with Navigation system. Entertainment system/technology improved from my recent 4 Lacrosses. Turned in a 2014 premium Lacrosse and impressed with all the 2017 changes and new styling.

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  Roadmaster Love - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By fmeveritt - June 7 - 12:08 pm

  Our beautiful, powerful, comfortable, and reliable Roadmaster has seen our family of three children and three dogs through thick and thin and always been there for us. We have talked heart-to-heart while taking long trips to the Northeast we have lovingly polished and nurtured her we have humbly accepted the accolades of teenage parking-lot attendants while going over the attributes of her 5.7L Corvette engine, which moves this baby out when she wants to. As one of the best representatives of a dying breed-- the American Station Wagon--she is nonpariel it is up to Dodge to take up the mantle, but as wonderful as the chopped Magnum is, it will never rise to the level of the Roadmaster.

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  2005 Buick Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Shannon - June 7 - 8:28 am

  Weve only had our Terraza for a couple of weeks so far, and we bought it NEW (though it is a 2005) off of the showroom floor with 51 miles on it. We have been really happy with it so far. As far as vans go, its easy to drive and very comfortable for our family. We really enjoy the extras that came with it. DVD system, XM radio, dual climate controls, back-up assist, OnStar, security system, and the very beautiful and classy interior. Its obvious that our boys love both power side doors and the IR headphones. There is just as much (or more) leg room in the second and third row seats as there is in my parents brand new 2007 Yukon Denali and more storage space than their Yukon!