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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  Best car Ive owned - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By lori - March 7 - 9:00 am

  I bought my LeSabre for $3800 in 2001 after doing internet research on lasting vehicles. I have not been disappointed! It is so comfy that the first time I drove it, the kids fell asleep during the first 15 minutes and I nearly did, too! It had 96k mi. on it then, and it now has 185k. Ive only had the fuel pump and struts replaced, a couple of alignments, and a $100 electronic part replaced twice. When I was looking into getting a new car, I decided I wanted a 2002, or newer, LeSabre. But they seem to have some neg. feedback, so I keep driving mine. I guess Ill replace the headliner and keep driving it until it stops running-if ever. With 22-24 mi/gal on trips, and room for six, Im spoiled!

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Biloxigirl - March 5 - 11:42 pm

  Fun car to drive. Love the remote start feature -- was sold first time saw it. Great stero and XM and daughter loves the dual climate control. Quiet smooth ride. Real upscale car for the price.

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  SUPER CAR~ - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By usacat - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I love it! It is smooth,classy and fun!

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  Love my LaCrosse - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By brenda - February 28 - 4:00 pm

  I got a Lacrosse in December. And I love it. This is my first Buick but, will not be my last. All of the rest my family drives Buicks. I love the design of the LaCrosse. It looks like a classic sports car. If it is a good as the Buicks my Father has owned it will be and outstanding car.

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  Very Surprising! - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bill - February 28 - 12:14 pm

  Ive had my Rendevous for about a year now and I really cant believe the value! I never really even knew this SUV existed and boy am I happy I found it! It has so much more room than any other in its class. Also, I was very concerned with the mileage and have been so surprised with the economy of this vehicle. I have friends with Jeeps and Toyotas who struggle with milieage and I have the bigger SUV and am consistently getting 22 around town and at least 26 on the HWY. Its all about how you drive it! Bottom line is they discount these vehicles big time because they cant compete with the imports, so for the money...there is no better deal going! There is so much room its crazy!

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  Why NOT buy American? - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By George - February 28 - 7:21 am

  The Terraza by Buick, is a perfect example of an auto that is quiet (quietest Ive ever been in), plush, driver friendly, reliable, and has a great deal of thought put into it to please the American driver. This is truly the finest car Ive ever owned (Ive owned over 300 cars) right out of the box. It is the ultimate in versatile. You can haul a piano, or a family, or your mother in law, or the groceries, and go to dinner or the theater in elegant style. Auto level control, power everything, towability, and pure comfort style and grace...it has all that and more. And LOOKS GREAT.

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  My Daughters Car - 2002 Buick Century
  By Bob Bruggeman - February 27 - 4:52 pm

  My dad gave this car to my daughter when she got her drivers license a few months ago. When she received it, it only had 10,000 miles on it. Overall, it is a great car. Good visibility and a very comfortable, quiet ride. The car has somewhat of a conservative look, which I like. Plenty of trunk space. Fuel economy is very good. The dashboard layout is conservative but functionable. The 3.1 litre V6 engine has done GM proud over the years. The only problem we have had with the car is an occasional brake pad rubbing sound in the left rear wheel. The car was taken to the local dealer, but they could not find a problem with it. This car should give my daughter many years of good service.

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  quiet roomy comfort - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By steven c cruver - February 24 - 2:00 am

  My wifes buick rendezvous has been a real blessing for us. With 7 passenger seating and all wheel drive it allows my family and a couple of friends to go anywhere, rain, sun, or snow in absolute quiet comfort. The equipment options are great fun. Heads-up, onstar, sunroof, rear radar, dual air, etc,etc.. The sound system ranks among the best in the market with 10 state of the art speakers and a couple of hundred amps. The build quality was exceptional as the SUV came with no flaws. In the first 10,000 miles, we have had no problems. This buick is typically quiet, compfortable, built right, and loaded with luxury

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  Beauty of a car for that middleclass person - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Di - February 23 - 12:56 pm

  At least a beauty of a car for a middle-class hardworking person that wants a comfortable and cant afford a Mercedes or other high end vehicle. I am in love with my car. The look, the ride, the comfort, the pick up, everything. The only thing is being it in the 2016 and it being almost winter I was hoping I would get a better price but afraid not. I am still paying over 450 a month on a lease after putting over 3000 down for 36 months and I think that crazy, but its what I wanted to drive so I did it. I hope to maybe buy it out, well see. Anyhow. compared to the BMW bug it was roomier, a more luxury car and BMW payments would have been the same, so I went with the Buick and got the car I really wanted and the Cascada is a real gem.

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  95 Roadmaster - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By troy - February 22 - 7:37 pm

  Outstanding performance and gas milage! Ride is very smooth, although handling is a little soft. LT1 V8 rocks, stero is excellent (even better with aftermarket radio). Tons of performance for the money