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:

• 

  Engine needs to be better - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Johnnie008 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  After 2 years and 24,000 miles the head gasket started leaking. I notice coolant on the floor of garage. I do remember seeing a slight oil leak (oil on the floor) too, but when I inspected the engine compartment and the undercarriage I could not determine what the source was. The dealer who repaired it sent the head cylinder out for testing and it was out spec but not by much. They machined out the defects in the cylinder. The repair was done as a warranty repairs.

• 

  Engine, Transmission problems at 20K - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Nothappywithbuick - December 23 - 7:16 am

  Ok, its been at the dealer more than at my house for the past 6 weeks. With only 22k miles on it, it needs a new cylinder head, gaskets, etc... just a few weeks ago, it was shifting hard so they reprogrammed the Transmission Module. After owning years of Oldsmobile (Intriges, Alero, Cutlass) I have to say, Im done with GM Junk. Ford or Imports only for me.

• 

  Very sorry we bought this vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MomofthreePA - December 16 - 5:38 pm

  We purchased our Rendezvous with just 16,000 miles due to our growing family. At 24,000 miles replaced intake manifold (it was out of warranty because 3 years had passed since it went into service). This cost $1,200. 12,000 miles later it had to be replaced again, the dealer charged a "discounted rate" of $800.00. Then a window would not come up, and the cost came to over $400.00. At 51,000 miles the first of two wheel bearings went, now the AWD Disable light is on and we are waiting for an estimate for repair of it and yet another wheel bearing. What a nightmare. The car has 52,000 miles and has cost us thousands in repairs, wrote to GM with no response.

• 

  Not a bad start - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By George Orw - December 14 - 6:50 pm

  Got this car a few weeks ago. I am impressed by the design. A major step for quite a while for GM. Kudos to the Chinese team for improving the mold and making this Buick futuristic. As for the rest of the car, Handling is a big stiff and a big slow ended. THe car does not move with the thrust the way the car looks. The transmission is pretty smooth but seems to get laggy between shifts.

• 

  My dream car is now my nightmare - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By My Dream Car - November 30 - 11:42 am

  Door handle fell off drivers side when I went to open it. Had it replaced. My main problem is that I am riding down the road and it just cuts off. Sometimes it will crank back up but most of the time I have to have it picked up by a wreaker. This has happen 4 times in the last 3 months. The dealer cannot find out what is causing it because when they get it will not do it again. I pick it up and drive it for two weeks and it happens again. Love my car but am very frustrated with it. I am afraid to go on a trip at all.

• 

  Our 2002 CXL - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By regalluvr2 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  After years of driving Buick Regals we decided to try a 2002 RDV.Being used to the power of the 3800 and SC3800 engines we are disapointed with the under powered 185 hp 3400 V-6.The 3800 Buick should have been used. Its nice looking from the front but from the rear it isnt so great. The worst problem is that in the past month we have had lots of electrical problems and will soon be on our 3rd BCM.Its soon to be out of warranty and if we keep it we will be purchasing a GM extended warranty as we dont trust its reliability.

• 

  Very dissapointed downshift/ time repair - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By 1998 Buick Enclave - November 15 - 12:08 pm

  We bought the car without test driving. Dumb,dumb,dumb. I drive the Enclave primarily in town and I am so disgusted with the constant downshift. I feel like I am on a bumber ride at times. The exterior is beautiful and interior nice but lots of trouble with gadgets that have had to be repaired under warranty. Too many to mention. This is a total pain to drive into Madison, get a rental car and then back again to pick it up. I am finding scary stuff again with the starter not turning over right away and one time almost hitting a car in front of me at 45 Miles per hour because the downshift became stuck and I had to hit my breaks as a quick reaction. It was freaky! The 1998 was mistake!

• 

  My "Views" - 2009 Buick Lucerne
  By Opadave - November 11 - 5:12 pm

  After having this vehicle for about a month, it rides like a dream, except it "wont get out of its own way. There are several concerns that are certainly safety issues. The passenger side headrest virtually blocks the drivers view when trying to see through the rear side window. Front pillar/outside mirror combo on drivers side creates blind spot. Message center display is difficult to see when wearing polarized sunglasses. Same conditions probably exist with all models of this design.

• 

  problem after problem - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By 1998 buick Lesabre - November 10 - 5:57 pm

  Dealership told me whole engine was blown replaced re built engine for 2,000 dollars. tire rods, brakes, sway bar links and now as of today at 133,00 miles my positioner shaftsensor is out still dont know cost..adding on to that bushings and bearings and possible engiine mount due to transmission..i love this car with all my heart but put in as much money as the same price i actually paid for it..unless u know about cars i would not recommend this car to anybody unless u are willing to put that much time and money into this car

• 

  New Enclave Engine Problems - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Stranded in Seattle - October 21 - 1:41 pm

  I really wish I could love my new Enclave. This is my first GM purchase and my first American car. What a frustrating and disappointing experience, so far. In less than a month since taking delivery of my new 2009 Buick Enclave CXL AWD, and with less than 800 miles logged on the vehicle, my new car has been in for service three times for the same engine vibration problem. The fuel injection system has been cleaned, fuel injector and ignition coil replaced and now the service techs are "looking more deeply into the cylinder head and valve train." (YIKES!) Vehicle downtime now stands at an abysmal 50%, since taking delivery. I was so hopeful for GM, but this car simply doesnt work.