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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  This van works! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By RC - February 20 - 4:38 am

  This van works. Buick gives you lots of extras as standard items that you would have to pay more for on the imports. Don’t believe consumer reports on the ride quality and noise of the engine, they tested the Saturn version only, not the Buick! Buick differs from the other GM siblings with an independent rear suspension and also quiet tuning and a more refined 3.5L engine. This van is as plush as a Lexus. My wife and I drove 12 hrs in the Van from Oregon to California with a 12 yr old, 8 yr old, new born, mother-in-law and dog in comfort. The kids put the DVD on with headphones and all was quiet. Got to San Jose in great shape!! The Van passed with flying colors.

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  Dated technology, Great car - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Mike - February 18 - 7:15 pm

  Fantastic driving experience. Handling a little loose compared to Euros and Japanese, but ride so much more elegannt than anything in its price class Styling might be old, but lines are clean and European inspired. Looks a lot like my brothers Mercedes at a fraction of the cost. Great bargain.

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  Review of my 2000 Buick Ultra - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By joshel - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is anexcellent, safe vehicle.

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  LaCrosse - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Hunt - February 16 - 11:04 am

  Great ride and quiet. Great car for the price range. A little concerned with the mileage. 1000 miles and when setting cruise at 78 only getting 24 mph. Trying to this week at 72mph to see the improvement. It handles in line for a sedan in my opinion and think the edmunds guys should compare apples to apples and not this reasonably priced car againt 30,000+ imports. Great looking and performing car in my opinion

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  Love my Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Phoebe2525 - February 14 - 7:16 pm

  Fun to drive. Roomy,comfy, full of nice surprises. Easy entrance, exit. Lots of leg, head, shoulder room in all 3 rows. Quietest ride Ive ever had in a car. Actual fuel mileage so far is 18+ mpg in city driving. Love it!

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  Buick - make driving great again !!! - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Charles - February 12 - 3:05 pm

  MSRP is to high for this car. I checked around and found lots of deals 20% to 25% less some with just 1K miles.

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  Awesome - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Sean - February 12 - 2:30 pm

  This car was a total surprise to me. I went in search of a new car during employee pricing. I went to every manufacturer and wound up at a Buick dealer last. The LaCrosse struck my eye. I test drove it and bought it. My first American made car ever, and now I cant see any reason not to buy American again.

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  Thats not a Buick - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Bills Buick - February 11 - 11:09 pm

  This car is a made in Korea car and after looking at Hondas, Nissans, Fords, Lexus I think I made a good choice. Traded in a low mileage Lexus RX350 which I loved but decided to finally lease after having bought some 20 or more cars in my lifetime. And pearl white really shows off the car and it is a dream to drive. Ill probably never use the wi-fi and all the bells and whistles but that is okay and since I dont drive in the snow anymore didnt need AWD like the Lexus had.

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  Awesome convertible! - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Gina,RN - February 11 - 8:07 am

  I got on here to see if there were problems posted that Im having with mine. Everything is great in this car, comfort is top notch in these seats. They hug you and I love the lumbar support. I love that it is front wheel drive. My last car was a mustang convertible and winters in the Midwest can be very icy and snowy. I havent had a winter yet with this car so hopefully it wont disappoint. The sound system is awesome and I can talk on Bluetooth even with top down. The passenger seat does bang on interior if not buckled when no passenger is in car. Easy enough fix. I do notice a difference with the wind guard in place. No leaks and very quiet ride with top up. My recurrent problem is AFL lamp/ headlamp leveling malfunction. The Buick dealer service dept has been awesome! They have replaced the sensor part but within 2 weeks, the warning showed up again. I took it back, which they always offer a loaner, and of course, the warning didnt show up for them. They calibrated the sensor(which had not been done when part replaced) hoping that was the problem. The warning came on the day I picked it back up(figures). I am now scheduled to take it to a closer dealer as the one I purchased it at was a little far for the frequent trips I was making. Hopefully, they figure it out. However, it is not affecting the performance of my Cascada, I just dont like having any issues on my new car. Im over 9000 miles and am just in love with it. I get a lot of compliments which coming from an orange mustang gt convertible is surprising. You will not be disappointed!

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  Love the Terraza!! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Paul McCauley - February 9 - 3:49 pm

  I have recently purchased this van and my wife and I LOVE IT!! I am very confused with the reviews concerning the van not having enough power and wonder what some people expect. We have driven the van in a mountainous area and never felt the power was inadequate, but then again I did not expect a sports car to haul my family around in. The interior is well laid and loaded with bells and whistles (most of which are easy to understand). This van rides very nice and has performed wonderfully on several long distance trips. We have averaged 25 mpg on the highway and are ecstatic with these numbers. So far after 8K miles we are very pleased and would highly recommend the Terraza to others.