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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  Hoping for a new home - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Robert Hoffman - January 15 - 7:30 am

  My wife inherited this car from her Fathers estate and absolutely loves the thing. We have had the common intake maniford issue which cost several hunderd dollars to repair. I am waiting for a reprise of this problem because the replacement is also plastic. I find the ride to be the equivalent of steering a whale. Our Honda is far superior in all respects. I cannot believe the mileage I see in other reviews. We have been lucky to get 19-20 miles per gallon -- even on flat highways. I would trade this thing in a minute, but in interest of domestic tranquility that is not likely to happen.

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  A great Luxury SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By rdor - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is really a great sporty SUV. I love the quietness, the luxury and sporty look. Not a rattle and it runs great. More than enough power for me. Check out a black two tone one, and the vehicle takes on different sporty look with the dark rear side windows.GM has worked out any bugs and has made a great car. Got over $5000.00 in rebates and invoice price. Payment is less than my three year old Honda van and alot more quiet. Drive this car , you will buy it. GM is back

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By morgankhat - January 14 - 4:50 pm

  The GM product is probably one of the most versatile cars I have ever owned. (Car, as in automobile, not pickup truck, not a truck based SUV, or even a half assed "crossover".) It will haul 7 adults (8 in a pinch) or 4 adults with 2 weeks worth of luggage, all inside the vehicle...no roof racks, trailers or hitch platforms. The cargo area will handle a couple dozen 4x8 sheets of plywood or a 5 drawer lateral file cabinet. It will tow 7000 pounds without a whimper, in cruise, up a 5% grade, at 55 mph. In normal use (no 7000 pound trailers) it gets 17-19 mpg in town and 24 on the highway.

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  Ive gotten my moneys worth! - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By Janelle - January 14 - 3:25 pm

  I bought this land yacht in December 07 for $700 with 162,000 miles on it. Ive only had to replace the master cylinder, water pump and left turn signal socket. Nothing too major! Ive put about 13,000 miles on her and she still runs great. Ive certainly gotten my $700 out of this car. Im going to keep driving it till it doesnt go anymore.

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  Great Car - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Fandoo - January 14 - 10:00 am

  Astounding!! Real worth of money!!!

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  Luxo-cruiser that can gallop - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By skyhawk - January 12 - 5:18 pm

  Currently own 7 vehicles and decided it was time to update my people hauler a 97 Park Avenue. Picked the car up in Texas and followed my brother (a current Lexus and Volvo and prior Mercedes owner) and his quote "I love it, the most awesome car I have ever driven". A good friend who is a SCCA licensed instructor drove and quote Man this is a Vette with a back seat. My impression: The V8 fumbles just enough without being intrusive,interior is spacious and eye appealing and I have yet to find the body roll or the brake fade the "reviewer" mentions. Comparing to another friends Bimmer 5 series it is quicker, quiter, and handles as well. CXS a luxo-cruiser that can gallop.

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  Great midsize SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By frmby97 - January 12 - 12:16 am

  Our Rendezvous consistently gets 20-24 mpg in city driving, and sometimes as high as 26 hwy. It has a lot of room in the back, as we dont have the 3rd row seat. The seats fold down completely, and you can easily and quickly remove the entire back seat to open up even more room My wife really appreciates all the storage up front, and the steering wheel audio controls are nice also. Complaints: our brakes wear out a little quickly, but it is to be expected on a heavier vehicle in city driving and the cloth seats are wearing out and stain easily. Very pleased overall.

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  RENDEZVOUS FUN - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By ALEASE - January 10 - 10:00 am

  WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR A MONTH AND ARE VERY HAPPY WITH IT. THE HANDLING IS GOOD AND THE VISIBILY IS GREAT SINCE I CAN SIT UP HIGH AND THE FRONT SLOPES DOWNWARD. THE ONLY NEGATIVE SIDE I SEE THUS FAR IS THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE LARGE AND THAT HINDERS THE DRIVERS SIDE, SIDE-FRONT VISIBILITY FOR MY HEIGHT(50)

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  Buick Shmuick - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By MarknMich - January 9 - 8:34 pm

  After first month of owning this Enclave has been nothing but trouble. Since June 08 we have had two transmission software updates (tranny shifting still terrible. Acts as though it doesnt know what gear its suppose to be in). Rear liftgate opens by itself (when car off luckily). With automatic operation turned off we still hear the lift motor engage. Heat controls stopped working twice. At times when driving all gauges read as though the car is turned off. With cruise control set at 75 MPH for nearly two hours the best MPG I get is 17. In city getting 13 MPG is a good day. Dealer is trying their best but I dont hold out for much improvement.

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  LUXURY, FUNCTIONALITY, QUALITY and STYLE - 2013 Buick Verano
  By tazbo - January 9 - 11:37 am

  My Buick Verano has proven to be an exceptional vehicle, both while running daily errands and taking long road trips. The ride is solid and smooth and acceleration is always there when needed. The interior design is stylish and all instrumentation and controls are laid out with functionality as a guideline. Seats are very comfortable, but rear seat leg room is easily decreased, if there are tall front seat passengers. The trunk can handle a good amount of luggage or cargo, and even more if the rear seats are folded down. In summing this Buick Verano up... this vehicle has luxury, functionality, quality and style for a reasonable price and it looks so sporty, even when just sitting on the driveway. After 8 months of loving this Buick Verano, needed to trade it in for a larger SUV to accommodate transporting grandchildren and young nieces and nephews when moved to Florida. I would still highly recommend the Buick Verano to couples who do not need space for other people. It was perfect for just my wife and me... but it really cant handle others, with us both being in the 6 height range.