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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  dissappointed yet happy - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By stimpy - February 11 - 3:19 pm

  I wanted to get the CXL because of some features it had, but did not want leather seats. So we had to get the CX in order to get cloth seats. Our 97 Century Limited had cloth seats (Buick let me down on this one). Mileage is dissappointing, 28 highway / 19 city. Our old Century got 30+ highway. But this LaCrosse is a very enjoyable and fun car to drive. It is comfortable, pleasant to look at, and despite my dissappointment with the leather seat issue, a really nice car. Guess well keep it til Buick comes up with one that will get 35 - 40 mpg! With the sleeker styling, I do keep brushing my head against the top of the door each time I get in.

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  great car - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By J.R.Wilson - February 11 - 12:38 pm

  Got this car with 50,000 miles on it, and it has been wonerful. Maybe the most beautiful car G.M. ever built. Suspension was too soft but tightened that up with some preformance struts. It is comfortable, fast and considering size and mass economical, I get 29-30 mpg with the cruise set at 73-74 mph, 18 mpg around Pittsburgh {lots of hills} The body is so georgeous, I find myself studying the curves and lines, a masterpiece.

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  Great Commuter - 1995 Buick Century
  By Finch (male) - February 9 - 3:35 pm

  2nd owner, at 96K replaced muffler, at 102K had vacuum leak and lug bolts. Other than that great reliability, and seats are still comfortable. Good for commuter or teen car! I average 22-23 MPG combined driving.

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  Broken Buick - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By Joe R - February 8 - 5:20 pm

  I bought this car from the original owner when it was 3 years old. The car has a pretty good ride and is comfortable. The biggest problem with this car is that many things have gone wrong with it and were expensive to fix. There was a problem with a plastic piece by the manifold that melted and filled the crankcase with antifreeze ($900). Water pump ($300) Some timing sensors ($550). Alternator, battery, serpentine. ($500). Starter ($300). Wipers wont return.

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  A great buy - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By mjlens - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is an eye catcher. The interior is an eye catcher and adds to a very comfortable ride. Easy handling in city and country driving. The fold up and pull out of the 2nd row seats give more storage space than I have seen in many suvs. The Rendezous rides with the same comforte as the Buick Century that I Own. It also has the power when you need it. I am very glad that I researched and compaired this vehicle with other suvs and decided on this one.

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  Just keeps going - 1990 Buick Century
  By jjf - February 7 - 9:47 pm

  I was given this car 2 years ago as a full-time student. It looks like a broken down rust bucket, but keeps on driving. At 174,000 miles, I have no complaints about this vehicle. It breaks the stereotype of of poorly built GM cars. The engine is an unstoppable workhorse. Lots of rust, I have seen others around with the same faded beige and same rust spots. Fuel efficiency is not as good as the 29 mpg highway when it was new. Poor turn radius sometimes difficult to park If this car doesnt rust away, I might get another 100,000 miles out of the engine. I would consider another Buick (even though its an old mans car.)

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  Not a bad grocery getter - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Josh Hughes - February 7 - 6:17 am

  This vehicle has been very reliable. We purchased it with just 11,000 miles and now have over 105,000. The only work that has ever been done is routine maintenance. We have blown a few fuses with various electronic equipment, but they are easy to replace ourselves. From a style standpoint, we have gotten a few jabs over the years from our younger friends who think it looks like a van. This was our first Buick, and although they have a reputation for being popular among the over 60 crowd, you cant beat the reliability.

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  Great car - 1998 Buick Century
  By proendesign - February 6 - 9:20 pm

  Ive had this car for 9 years now- its been great. No major issues,a few flaws, but 1998 was the first year of the new model. I have about 210,000 km (divide that by 1.6 for miles) and I just did regular maintenance. Very confortable and quiet. As it is getting older, I consider replacing it with an Audi A8 or BMW 760i but in all honesty I have no reason other than getting a new and fancy toy. I highly recommend it (check the J.D. Power reports on Buick, both Century and Regal).

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  Detroits Coming Back! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Joe in Detroit - February 6 - 1:13 pm

  First looked at Mazda CX9 and was ready to buy it! Drove by Buick dealership and saw the Enclave. Bought it! Best truck I ever drove. Rides like a Cadillac with room like a Hummer!

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  looks good doesnt work - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By another gm sucker - February 6 - 12:36 pm

  dont buy one. trust me. only 66k on mine and ive had everything fail. Bearings, steering, premature brake failure, ABS, AWD system, and even the heater died. Some was covered by warranty, other stuff I had to fight for under my extended warranty which they mysteriously lost