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:

• 

  Using Oil - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Senior Driver - December 11 - 12:09 pm

  Love the car, except it uses oil. First 3000 miles, used two extra quarts, dealer says drive it and it will get better. Second 3500 miles, used one and a half extra quarts of oil. I quess this is better, but I dont think good. Dealer says keep watching it and one quart in 3000 miles is acceptable. Maybe to him but not to me. I ask that it be recorded on my record. Hope they did it. If it doesnt improve, I going to try going to Buick.

• 

  Sad Buick Showing - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By JBundle - December 10 - 2:00 pm

  While I was growing up, my grandfather always praised how good Buicks were and so I was very biased in my purchase, but no more. I am very disappointed with this van. On the outside it looks like a beautiful vehicle, but on the inside, the engine stalls on cold starts, the vehicle shakes (replaced brakes and tires made it better). There is no room for cargo. My husband is wheelchair bound now and we can either have people or his chair. DVD player also has high pitch noise whenever used. The only things I like are the built in aircompressor and the power door. Other than that the front cupholder broke with the weight of a cup of coffee. I would trade it, but it depreciated as soon as I bought

• 

  Great SUV - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sam - December 9 - 10:38 pm

  I have been really happy with this car. It gets around 23-25 mpg on the highway at speeds of 70-80 mph. The around town mileage has been 21.5 mpg. It rides great and the seats are really nice. It is a CXL with sunroof and every other option minus DVD and navigation but the Garmin nuvi 550 takes care of that. Ive just travelled 7,000 miles in the last 3 months across the country, no problems at all. I highly recommend this car.

• 

  Ms. Enclave - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By NESSA709 - December 9 - 8:45 pm

  This is a very nice and comfortable riding SUV. GM has always had the best riding cars without all the road noise. Fit and finish is very nice for an American car maker.

• 

  The Buick Enclave is Fantastic! - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Enclave Fan - December 8 - 8:56 pm

  Bought my 09 Buick Enclave a few months ago and I am very pleased. The styling is gorgeous, the build quality is tight and sharp, and the ride is very comfortable even for a big guy like me. I tried the Acura MDX which is so overrated, the Lexus 330 is another wildly overrated SUV, the Audi, BMW, and Mercedes comparable SUVs cost 25-30K more and arent any better. The Buick Enclave has great interior space, just hauled a Christmas tree and wreath to the house with room to spare, and the mileage has been averaging 17mpg with AWD! The engine is strongly reactive and the steering is tight and responsive. The interior noise is practically zero! Ive owned a lot of vehicles and this Buick rocks!

• 

  rendevouz review - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By dorene1 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  This is a very comfortable and utilitarian vehicle. It is both smart and friendly, and goes very well with daily family hauling. It is not powerful, but does what it needs to do in most situations. It has eliminated the tired feeling I used to have after a day of driving our other, larger SUV, and gives the impression of a car-like drive. Although the design is not as rugged as many SUVs, the high ceiling allows a feeling or roominess not felt in other midsize SUV vehicles.

• 

  Im sold on Buicks now! - 1993 Buick Regal
  By Imani Odufuye - December 8 - 8:50 am

  I currently own many cars Ford, Chrsyler Chevy, but the b\Buick GS is my daily driver and I absolutely love it. I dont agree with many of the owners, in terms of performance,(170hp? are you kidding?) however it can get out of its way. GM addressed this issue with the 3800 series 2. The interior is nicely layed out with the console and gauges. The transmission is silky smooth, the reliability approaches the likes of Honda or Toyota. The 93 Buick was clearly one of the best cars of the dismal 90s

• 

  Super Safe Ride - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Chris - December 7 - 6:43 pm

  Super stable, rides on rails. Wife just rolled it upside down into a pine tree after hydroplaing in snow melt. Though totaled out, frame absorbed entire impact and vehicle crumpled in right places to absorbe roll-over. We have a duplicate on hold pending insurance payout. Like previous comments, it may start out as wifes car, but it will grow on you.

• 

  Awesome Ride - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Dustin - December 7 - 11:44 am

  This car is really amazing. You cant expect more for your dollar from an American made SUV. From the powerful responsive engine, to the smooth, silent ride, to the Bose speaker system, I absolutely love this car. I have always loved the ride quality of Buicks, but the Rainier is by far the best it gets (except for the new Enclave which has replaced the Rainier).

• 

  Quirky Electronics and Tire Eater - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jerry Philpot - December 7 - 8:20 am

  Generally a good vehicle, smooth ride, mpg not great though. Electronics pretty quirky, wouldnt stay aligned. The fixed seat belt fasteners in the front seats intruded into your hip space. Ride was typical GM ..Smooth on the straight, very loose and floating when cornering.