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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  LaCrosse CX - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By alydar - April 17 - 7:06 pm

  i havent had this car long but the most impressive thing is the quiet tuning. The lack of road noise and solid feel of my CX have made my work commute very relaxing.

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  Baby boomer heaven - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Robin - March 22 - 6:26 pm

  Leased 1 year ago. Love this convertible. The only things I dislike is when I use 3rd gear to go down a very large hill near my home. It doesnt hold well and I need to use my brake too much. My Mazada held much better on the downhill. There is a Blindspot, as in most cars, with trim alongside front windshield. Could use more safety features. That was the only thing I really missed when shifting from Mazda6 to Buick Cascada. Would have loved the auto braking and also better monitoring for highway driving, even if just in the side view mirrors. Back up camera picture could be sharper images. Love the parking assist, crash warning and also the cross center line warning...this is a very good thing with distracted driving at its peak these days. All in all, I had to have this mid sized convertible. Cant and wont do the little verts due to dangerous road conditions, mostly other drivers, and after driving an audi convertible, I wanted another vert but not that price, and mid sized for sure. Love it, however, when putting other b.boomers in back....forget it. All complaints. So, save the back seat for the young agile people! Maybe offer in a 4 door? I am very comfy and love driving this car. No complaints with filling up the trunk and popping down the back seat for more space when needed. Very simple. Went thru one new england winter, no problems, but then i stay home in bad weather. Cold weather not an issue with rag top. Noise level also low. Had a little problem coming up my driveway, which is a slight hill, not paved, so gets pretty slushy and icy at times. Just had to get a small head start! If I had to drive to work daily in it and the weather was snowy, I would be nervous driving. All in all, I plan to trade for another when my lease expires!

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  LOVE MY RENDEZVOUS - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By SALBERT - January 27 - 10:00 am

  ONLY OWNED A WEEK BUT I LOVE THIS CAR. FUN TO DRIVE, INTERIOR ROOM AND LUXURY FEATURES CANT BE BEAT. KIDS LOVE THE ROOM IN THE SECOND AND THIRD SEATS. SURE MOST SUVS SPORT A LITTLE MORE POWER BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS PLENTY WHEN YOU NEED IT. QUALITY, RELIABILITY ASK ME IN 4-5 YEARS BUT AFTER SPENDING AT LEAST 8 GRAND LESS THAN A COMPARABLE LEXUS RX300 (W/O 3RD SEAT) ILL TAKE MY CHANCES.

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  Decent SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By klkrlk - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I have been satified with this vehicle for the last 3 years; no real major problems. Only the A/C compressor went out at about 30K (under warranty). My only real complaint is the materials used in the vehicle just "feel" cheap; not up to other luxury SUV standards. However, this vechicle is loaded with options and has great passenger/storage room. I have noticed a lot of rattles and squeeks (sun roof, seats, doors, etc). Just one final note: Depreciation is HORRIFIC; so if you get one, you need to keep it a LONG time. I just purchased a RX 330 and cant give this car away!

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  Classy car - 2014 Buick Verano
  By Karen Gorbaty - January 7 - 3:03 pm

  Safety, gd on gas, comfortable smooth ride

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  Just Love It - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By mm6mb - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1992 GEO Tracker for 10 years so when I finally decided to get a new car, I decided on a Buick after looking at all of the other models. I never have planned to take this vehicle off road so the comfortable ride was very important to me. For the price I paid, I couldnt asked for a better car

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  Bored - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By KornBoy - November 4 - 2:00 am

  so far its been good it doesne really have any get up and go but that always can be fixed

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  I should have got a Century - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By david cowan - October 9 - 3:36 pm

  I have a CX LaCrosse model. The A/C light comes on every time I start it and must be shut off manually even when it is 30 degrees outside.. Seats are slab type and not as comfortable as the Century... Buick forgot their market is people that want a smooth ride and leave the stiff ride to pontiac etc. I test drove the Ford 500 and others in price range and found them just as quiet and smoother ride.. Driver shoulder room tight due to overly large door panel thickness.. Bought the LaCrosse out of loyalty and not logic..

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  Great looks, Problems already at 3k - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Joey - October 1 - 7:26 am

  Great looking car & very fun to drive. We shopped all alternatives before we decided to own another GM car. We were worried about purchasing another GM car because of past problems and now our worries have come true. The anti-lock brake light and traction control light has come on. Hopefully it is not a repeat of our past GM problems

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  trouble in ultra land - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By Charles Weisling - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 2/03, trouble from 1st 1,000miles. road vibration in front wheels. Dealer unable to correct with new lower control arms, new suspension, road force balancing, new wheels, new tires, and other means, all with GM approval. After many trips to dealer, forced Buick to re- purchase vehicle. My third Buick Park Ave, Ultra is my last.