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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  I love this car/suv/wagon. - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jamie - January 27 - 9:51 pm

  I bought this car to have more space for my growing family but I wanted something that was comfortable and not in the van family. I am young and I desire a car that is nice looking and doesnt make me look old. This car is awesome on long road trips. It is so comfortable and it rides like a luxury car. It is elegant and worth the money.

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  2008 enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By 7scp - January 27 - 10:03 am

  A very quiet ride. Plenty of room to for car pooling, kids and backpacks. Beautiful interior and love the shape of the exterior. Able to accomodate a 61" man and a 5 foot woman comfortably in the drivers seat. Not especially thrilled about how high the side view mirrors are located, hard to see around them when your shorter.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dave Sykes - January 26 - 10:48 pm

  I bought a 2006 FWD CX with the CX Plus and CX Luxury package. It has everything I need. It is very quiet and smooth. The 3.5 is a big improvement over the 3.4 in my Chevy Venture. Even though the design is 5 years old, I still think it is fresh.

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  Best car Ive ever had - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Jimjxx - January 25 - 4:06 pm

  Quiet, solid ride with good styling and quality accessories. I also like the fact that Im driving a different type of vehicle---not something driven by "everybody and his brother".

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  Dependable as they get - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Danny - January 24 - 12:51 am

  Its not the most stylish car on the planet, but I knew that going in. I bought a GS after much research led me to believe this was a very dependable car (although I found claims about the motor a bit of a stretch.) To be short - they werent. I befriended several young buick enthusiasts on the web over the next year who helped me modify the motor in several ways... eventually boosting the output to 280hp and almost 325 ft-lbs of torque. Most of those kids take theirs to tracks on the weekends - I just like to surprise people in sports cars. I love this car. I bought it at 34k miles for $12K. Now at 126k and it runs like new (very fast too!)

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  The Gold Standard of Crossovers! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Keith - January 23 - 6:03 pm

  We bought our Gold Mist CXL about a month ago (this is the third Enclave in our neighborhood) and my wife and kids love it! The ride quality and quietness of the vehicle is far superior than our Sienna we traded in. Had an ice storm last night and my wife made it home without any problems and we only have FWD. We love the backup camera and park assist which is great considering the small window in the back. Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that meets our luxury requirements with interior room similiar to a minivan. Only negative is the "less than ideal" gas mileage - we are getting 14 MPG city.

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  Best & most suv for the money - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By davkun - January 23 - 5:40 am

  Nobody else gives you independent rear suspension, all wheel drive, just about every option under the sun, a third row seat that stows away and lots of room for under $30K. I like the way it rides, handles and I know I have AWD, ABS, even front and side airbags, and ONSTAR if the need arises. I can take the family with me along with friends. Reading the owners manual tells more about the vehicle that none of the reviews covered, like the limp mode of the engine if it loses coolant.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Al Peterson - January 22 - 4:26 pm

  Its a beautiful car, the quality is great, and the fuel economy is better than expected. A real game changer from Buick.

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  Vehicle Rating - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Faye - January 19 - 7:56 pm

  The one item that I have a concern is I cannot use my lighter to charge my cell phone as it blows the fuse. I was told to get an adapter and put it in before I use the charger for my cell phone. I have friends who have the same SUV, not the Ultra and they have no problems.

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  Love this car - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By michael - January 19 - 12:07 am

  This is my second RDW that I have owned. The other one was a 2003. I love the ride. Its not overpowered, but how fast can you go anyway? The radio system is great. The ride smooth. Whoever rides with me on long trips also comments how great a ride it gives. Bad weather no problem. It just goes right thru it. Anyway in 3 more years I will be leasing another one.