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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  My First Car Domestic Car! - 2012 Buick Verano
  By sunny45 - July 24 - 8:10 pm

  After three Toyotas, I have changed. Ive had this car for a week and love it! Not only is it beautiful, but it has great handling on the road. The car is very comfortable and I love the the quiet interior (Oh sorry..."Quitetuning". This car is of a better value that most cars this size and within the compact sedan category. Thanks Buick for thinking about those of us that want luxury in a compact and making it worth our money.

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  119,000 miles in 5 years proves this is an excellent car - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By tinyelvis - July 23 - 8:47 pm

  I have updated my Enclave in this forum since newly purchased in Aug 2007. It still rides great. Everything works as well as the day I bought it. Seats are showing minimal wear for the time/mileage. Paint still looks showroom new. Have I had issues? You bet. Have they been resolved? Yes, and not always the first time. Five times a year we head to our vacation home, tacking on 2800 per trip. I can drive the entire 16 hours straight thru...no back or neck or shoulder pain. We easily haul 6 people and all their stuff. Repairs paid by GM: Tranny at 65k wheel hub assembly at 76k. Repairs paid by me: door hinge 1 set of rotors 2 sets of brake pads Fluids. $1200 for engine gaskets at 116,500.

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  5 trips to SoCAL and Edmonton - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By monkman67 - July 20 - 4:42 pm

  This is the best of the best, travelling form Edmonton Alberta to Las Vegas then down to Disneyland and San Diego for the 5th time now and the ride is quiet and the handling is great 75,000 km in less than 3 years and no issues what so ever and the XBOX 360 running during all the trips never had any effect on the battery at all.

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  #21 is becoming #1 - 2012 Buick Regal
  By vtannouncer - July 7 - 2:36 pm

  Ive had my license for 21 years, and last week leased my 21st new vehicle - the 2012 Regal GS with 6MT. I had driven both the automatic and the manual a couple of times each before I chose the manual. This is quickly becoming the #1 favorite of all the cars Ive owned. The looks are AMAZING, the handling is great, I enjoy the power and performance, and its very comfortable. Ive been in the car business for 10 years, and have my pic of 35 different makes, and Im very happy with my choice of the 2012 Regal GS.

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  "WOW!" - 2012 Buick Verano
  By ekl21801 - July 5 - 5:02 pm

  Buick is definitely not your grandfathers or your fathers Buick anymore! Coming from a 37 year old Ford man, I am completely impressed. Great car for the price and Ive looked at all the other car brands just to be unbiased and none could touch the Verano in any categories except maybe speed. Still pretty quick though. Homerun there Buick!

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  Regal GS has exceeded my expectations! - 2012 Buick Regal
  By canamman - July 2 - 3:43 pm

  I have been researching the Regal GS for the past month. Made several test drives with the manual and automatic versions. I ended up purchasing the auto due to the majority of city driving I do. So far I have put over 300 miles in just the first 3 days. I am very impressed with this car. Very smooth, quiet and powerful when needed. I love how you can select the suspension settings to suit your mood & driving conditions. Stereo control took a little bit to get used to, but now I dont even have to look. The styling, fit & finish are well above what I would expect of a car in this class. If you are on the fence, just go drive one.

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  Even my wife loves it. - 2012 Buick Regal
  By tfh - June 29 - 11:23 am

  Great looking auto. We purchased it in Red, with an automatic. Fantastic Brakes, great acceleration and handling. 20 inch wheels really set it off. Mileage is about 24 mpg overall. 2 months and 2000 mi. Even had an older woman stop me in a stores parking lot and drool and ask about it. Looks like Buick is taking up the Pontiac slack......

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  Cross Country - 2002 Buick Regal
  By deandesisto - June 18 - 7:16 pm

  Ive driven many cars, but the 2002 Buick Regal LS is by far my favorite car i have driven so far. It is much more comfortable then Japanese cars, and sure goes alot more than it shows. I drove from Rhode Island to Montana in this car, and it revved strong at 2k at 70mph, ive had v8s that revved higher. Amazing gas mileage, only spent around $200 from RI to South Dakota, with gas around 3.50. Bought this car a year ago, at 3k with 115 thou. Something about American cars makes the ride better, foriegn cars dont have personalities like my Ford and Buick do, I love that thing, even though my gas gauge is broke and my odometer is gone, this car took me 2500 miles across our great nation.Buy USA

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  Super Lux - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By lacrosse2008 - June 8 - 12:57 am

  With the Supers being so rare, I had to go check it out when I saw the classified ad at a local dealer. It was love at first sight. I always thought the LaCrosse was sharp, and the Super takes that a step further. Being black with the tasteful chrome trim, including the optional chrome wheels, it gets compliment after compliment. Wasnt sure how I felt about the dark brown interior but it has grown on me. Love the power and ride, but after only a couple of months of ownership, the transmission has had to be completely overhauled. Since its still under warranty, Im taking it in stride. Other than that I have been nothing but happy with it.

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  What a Surprise! - 2012 Buick Regal
  By car_man4 - June 7 - 7:31 pm

  The Buick Regal GS combines perfect blend of luxury and performance in a car. This car makes me look forward to my 1.5 hour commute each way to work. The adjustable suspension between Comfort, Sport, and GS mode make each drive a new experience. This car may not have the "Grand National" engine, but the turbo 4 cylinder with 270 hp with the automatic transmission provides the feeling of endlessly smooth quickness. This car will get away from you quickly. This is the first "American" car that I have had that actual feels like a "German" car. I think GM has a winner in this car. Because these are limited this year, it feels nice being the only one on road with a unique car.