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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  Love my Enclace - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Detailman80 - December 28 - 8:06 pm

  I really enjoy the overall appearance of the Enclave (has a bold yet eligant look). I am a bit disappointed with the shifting and pickup not being as smooth as I would have expected, but overall this is a class vehicle.

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  She deserves a good review! - 1992 Buick Century
  By Chris Parker - December 28 - 10:50 am

  I love this car! I bought it 8 years ago with 95K on it. Now it has about 145K. I hated the faux wood paneling from the get-go but how can you not love these cars. They are so reliable and costs so little to maintain. Other than the usual brakes and exhaust work that is always needed, this car has asked for nothing and has always been there for me. She has always been a 2nd car, but when I bought the 1995 Mercury Sable because it looked nicer (moon roof and all)it was "Woody" who came to my rescue when the Sable was continually in the shop. (That was a total piece of junk!) I would keep the Buick till she dies if it were not for the electric windows finally stopping.

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  Good Car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jim - December 27 - 10:20 pm

  Had a Regal before this. I like this car a lot better although the Regal got a little better gas mileage. Other than this no complaints

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  A Lot To Like Beware of EPA Estimates - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By HMT - December 26 - 5:49 pm

  Last owned GM car was 1960. Since then only BMW, Mercedes and Lexus vehicles. This Enclave replaces my 98 Lexus 470 SUV and does a great job of emulating that SUV at half the cost. Unfortunately, it also copies the 470s poor gas mileage. I now have 3,000 miles on the Enclave, which includes two 1000 mile highway trips. In town I get 13 mpg and on the highway, 19 mpg. This is far from my anticipated EPA 16/22. Yes, the pickup from standing still at a traffic light to keeping up with the traffic is a bit of a struggle and noisy in that initial gear. However, the cabin appointments and general comfort are very desireable. Lots of goodies. Happy with car, very disappointed with mpg.

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  AWD Issues - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Michelle - December 26 - 11:05 am

  From week one, the Rainier has attempted to shift into AWD when in reverse. The shuddering that results makes it very difficult to back out of a parking space. Changing the rear differential fluid ($125) didnt help. Now the bearings in the front differential just burned up. Thankfully, the Buick dealer covered it even though I am 4,000 miles out of warranty. I am considering dumping this vehicle as I drive 30,000 miles per year and cant afford to be towed to the dealer on a regular basis.

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  2006 Buick CLX 3.5L FWD - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By R. Edwards - December 25 - 7:10 pm

  Leased this car in January 2006, and love it. We plan to buy out the lease in Apr. 2009. We have every option but the sunroof. We get about 25 MPH on the road and 19Mph in city driving. The car has more storage room than my 2007 GMC Envoy. The residuals have come down dramatically and we can now buy it at a resonable price. My wife is estatic.

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  Buick bombed on the Rendezvous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Greg Katzke - December 24 - 3:35 pm

  The worst vehicle I have ever owned. In 11 months the trasmision,air conditioning, fuel pump, body control module and the oxygen sensor has all needed work. With the total bills costing well over 5,000 dollars. All I can think is 3 more years until its paid for. Dont buy one of these vehicles unless youre buying mine (its almost new again).

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  Lucerne is worthy of return to American - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By jsieks - December 20 - 10:16 pm

  MY Lucerne is beautiful! The styling is exquisite, color [sagemist] is an eyecatcher. The response,when pressing the accelerator, is very satisfying. The average mileage fuel consumption is about 20 [city and highway]. That is about 5 mpg less than the stated mileage on the new car window. GM has pressed the right buttons when producing this car.

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  Exceptional reliability - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Species8472 - December 20 - 12:16 pm

  Ive had this car for 5.5 years. I have not had a single problem with it since my purchase. In comparison, my wife drives a Lexus 330 RX 2004. Weve had numerous problems and it has been a far less reliable car. I highly recommend the Buick Regal 2003.

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  Finest and Above Classs - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Dr. Philip LeNoble - December 19 - 3:50 pm

  We owned Bently, Porsche 911 Cabrio, GMC Denali and currently a 2007 Jaguar Vanden Plas sedan and wanted to downsize from from three vehicles to two so we sold the Porsche and the Denali....and being very picky, I came upon The Buick Enclave AWD CXL which I find is indeed superior in quality, entertainment,technology, safety features, ride, eye candy, interior comfort,back up camera, NAV system, stereo sound system, rear seat DVD, cargo room. remote start, automatic tailgate lift, wood grain and overall sophistocation. Climate control. Transmission is smooth and the get-away at the light is quick as is the boost from the automatic transmission to the six-speed manual adaptation. 15.5 mpg city