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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  Stay away form the ultra - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By Tim Rudasill - February 13 - 7:36 pm

  My wife and I bought this one owner car thinking it would the best choice we could make.WRONG.After owning it for 1 year we start having transmission trouble.$1400.00,4 months,and 4 bottles of Advil extra strength later we still have the same problem.It shutters real bad when taking off from stop.And just when every wants to scream about ford transmissions,Gm aint no more better.My Mechanic Worked for ford for 22 yrs.never has seen this before.If it werent for true, i would tell you.The car is well worth the money if GM would fix for free.Oh Yeah!I almost forgot....If you plan on changing your battery,let Gm do it.My gas hand and temp. hand dont work now.broke when i changed it myself.Good

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  It rocks - 1998 Buick Regal
  By chris w - February 13 - 5:05 pm

  I bought my Regal GS with 80,000 miles on it. It runs great and doesnt burn a drop of oil. All Ive put on it is tires and tie rods and struts. I should be hitting 200,000 miles this month.

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  Excellent quality and reliability - 1993 Buick Regal
  By AAA - February 13 - 5:19 am

  I didnt actually buy this myself, it was a hand me down from my Grandfather, but he was the original owner. The car has about 191,000 km (118,700 miles) on it, and has had a very good life. It is still in pretty good running condition today, with minor problems here and there. No major repairs were needed, and the car has been very reliable throughout the entire time my family has owned it. It has been an extremely pleasing vehicle, and I would definitely recommend Buick to potential car purchasers!

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  2002 Buick Rendezvous - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By James H. Packard - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I have had the Rendezvous for about a year now and its been fantastic. The only problem was with the cd player and it was replaced. The mileage has been very good for a vehicle of this size. The ride quality has been great. This vehicle replaced a Ford Escape and the change was well worth it.

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  Excellent vehicle for Canadians - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Kimberly - February 12 - 12:06 pm

  This vehicle is adding years to my life. Im comfortable and stress free in traffic. Love how quiet the ride is, the DVD system is great for the kids, great heat, tons of room, very safe on ice or in poor winter driving conditions, visibility good in front and lights are perfect for highway driving. Fuel mileage not what the old Corolla used to get, but what do you really want? Youre driving something much bigger. Had to have the radio replaced at 8 000 k but no problems otherwise. Noticed a bit of a rattle in the front sunroof after 10,000k.

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  Keep Your Warranty - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By BG - February 12 - 10:39 am

  I purchased my Rendezvous in 2007. I needed something big enough for my family but wanted good gas and nice appearance. I dont drive much at all but have already had to replace front lower control arm, front strut bearing on right and later on the front bearing on left. Front rattles and back hatch handle is broken. Interior stains very easily. Not yet at 50,000 miles.

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  Better than Cadillac SRX - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By ANDY G. - February 12 - 10:20 am

  This is the best car I ever owned. The smooth ride and the quietness is amazing compared to other cars I owned. You can actually hear the radio at high speeds, not tire noise. Vvery clear DVD system and tons of room. I think GM still makes the best cars.

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  Fantastic car - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Bucksinnc - February 12 - 8:29 am

  I sold my Trans AM just in time for another Ohio winter and wanted something with good power, luxury options, and something that would get me through the snow safely. What better than a fully loaded supercharged V6 FWD vehicle? Fast forward just over five years and nearly 100,000 miles (putting it at around 160,000 miles total) Ive found this car to be everything I couldve hoped for and much more! Other than some minor electrical problems this car has been a dream mechanically. I dread my upcoming family vehicle purchase because this one really has spoiled me... but its done so well were keeping it as a daily driver to/from work, 200,000 miles here I come!

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  V6 Fuel Pig - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Buick Man - February 12 - 6:52 am

  Sometimes it feels like the only way I could get the gas mileage to be better is if I pushed it with the engine off! I cannot get this over 21mpg I am not an aggressive driver. I set the cruise between 65 and 70 yet still the avg MPG never goes above 21 on the highway, Sometimes I feel that I should have bought the V8, at least I would have had some power with my cruddy gas mileage (or I may have even gotten better mileage with the V8). Why did GM kill the 3.8? 2000 LeSabre had 15 more hp, better torque and 33mpg on the highway. What/why did they change it?

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  My first car - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Emilio parker - February 11 - 6:01 pm

  The car has only broke down on me twice. Once because of the cheap plastic elbows. I replaced them with metal once. Second time because of intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket (front) and tensioner pully. Cheap fixed thought but I love this car because in city I get 28.2 mpg.