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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  Steering - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By tanker 31 - July 5 - 7:27 am

  Car steers like a truck. Car floats along the highway at posted speeds.Moves from side to side. Gas mileage on highway about 26.5. Have to take out coolant bottle to check the power steering fluid? Raspy noise and some rubbing coming from steering section when I back up, can feel it on the steering wheel. Still have to manually adjust the seat back. Over all just un-impressed with car for the bucks I had to put out. Will not purchase another GM car period.

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  Disgrace to the Buick tradition - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By TainoRico - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely disappointing. As a previous Buick owner,I feel that Buick should not even try to associate with such a poor performing vehicle. Whenever I come across anyone who asks me about this vehicle I say turn around and run. Do not even think about it. I am anxiously waiting to get rid of it next month. I have decided to buy foreign after buying about 20 new American cars in the last 25 years.

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  Utter Junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Frosty - June 12 - 3:57 pm

  Bought this because my wife did not want to by typical looking minivan for the kids. What a bad choice. So far we have had the air conditioning overhauled at 10K miles, the engine seals blow at 20K miles, a complete transmission overhaul at 30K miles (had to call the mfg to get this covered under warranty), and now at 45K the wheel bearings and gas guage (800$ just for the gas guage repair)are toast. This is my second GM experience, fool me twice shame on me. As soon as I pay for the new bearings I am running to a Japanese or Korean car dealer ASAP.

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  Engine Not Reliable - 2002 Buick Regal
  By buickuser - June 10 - 1:35 pm

  Good car but stiff steering. Engine died after 50,000 miles and despite good maintenance. Mechanic says a very classic problem with the Buick and Pontiac with 3.8 engine. OK if use best synthetic oil (Mobil One) every 2000 miles.

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  Hope you like the great outdoors - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Keep Looking - May 20 - 8:15 pm

  I have had to replace all 4 window motors in the past 1 1/2 years for a grand total of over $1800. Was told by Buick mechanic in another state that theyve had nothing but problems with the window motors in all Buick models. But according to Buick, they have no problems. Its normal wear and tear on a car that is 5 years old and has 68,000 miles. My mothers Chevy was stolen and wrecked and the drivers side door was smashed in, but amazingly the window still works! My car on the other hand sits in the parking lot and the unused window motor dies and the window falls down.

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  Junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Brian Bryans - March 2 - 11:04 am

  We have had several mechanical issues on our Rendevous. This first was a transmission problem that kept the car in 3rd gear. This was repaired under warranty. We had to replace the tires at 20,000 miles and Buick would not prorate the tires because we did not have full paperwork showing that we had rotated the tires.Our most recent problem was with a check engine light. The light came on with 43,000 miles on the car, 7k miles out of warranty.It ended up being that water was getting into the car under the carpet and had rusted sensors. The dealership had to strip all the interior out and fix the problem. Cost $1200. There is no wonder GM is on the verge of bankruptcy!

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  Run from this - $1000 headlamp replacements - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By Harold Andrews - February 8 - 10:50 am

  BIG FYI: a single headlight bulb costs nearly $500 to replace! Wow! I bought our familys 2013 Enclave new and had a couple of smaller light bulbs burn out while still in warranty. The kicker came when a headlight bulb only lasted 3 years. Just know that that little bulb will cost you nearly $1000.00 when they both burn out! Buick should be ashamed of this. And unfortunately, this means we have no choice but to head back to non-American cars when we get a new car this spring. Good bye Buick, Im not in the business of these kinds of surprises.

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  2002 - stay away - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tom - January 28 - 8:02 pm

  Various problems throughout the life. Initial purchase - rear hatch wouldnt relock, needed replacement, dealer broke the rear hatch when fixing it. 2005 - engine wont restart within 10 minutes of stopping engine - dealer has been unable to fix it after 3 tries, no help from GM. 2006 - Rear hatch problem again - the door unlocks all by itself. Dealer has replaced the body control module after replacing the lock against my advice. 2006 - The fuel guage doesnt accurately show the level.

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  Shake&Bake - 2017 Buick Envision
  By Jack - January 20 - 3:36 pm

  We have had the car for four months. Car shakes badly when taking off and even worse if you are turning left or right from a stop. The back up monitor is the worst I have every seen, can not see anything at all at dusk or dawn, exhaust has a bad rattle and the heater motor sounds terrible. All this is normal according to the dealer Thompson of Springfield Mo. nothing fixed

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  2005 Buick Lesabre - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By lesabre custom - December 25 - 4:31 pm

  Not a fun car to drive. It vibrates and shakes at interstate speeds. The dealer balanced the tires repeatedly and ended up replacing the tires to no avail. Buick states that it is normal driving condition due to the newly designed "active suspension". I call it a mistake to buy.