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:

• 

  Poor Seat Comfort - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Richard Smith - November 30 - 8:01 pm

  I am a 30 year Buick owner. Lucerne - the seat design engineer must have been an idiot or it is the first seat he has designed. The padding on each side of the seat is totally insufficient. Furthermore, the side of the seat is too high which results in the seat bottoming on the side of the seat frame, making a totally poor comfort. Otherwise, I am totally satisfied with my Lucerne CXL.

• 

  Long Term Reliability - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By telegraph - November 27 - 2:15 pm

  The car is good except for three problems. Both rear power window motors have died ($500 to repair if you want, each). Both wheel hubs failed at 140,000 and were replaced ($2500), and the transmission, which seems to be the weak point, died at 145,000 miles. Otherwise, everything runs and runs and runs. GM used to have problems with the 70A alternator and the water pump - which died at 70K miles for the alternator, and about the same for the water pump. Now, both have lasted 216,000 miles and still going. Engine getting tired so probably will replace it this year. Car very comfy on long trips, get 30 mpg on the highway, low 20s in town. Wish they still made them!

• 

  Great gas mileage for the ride - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Mike - November 27 - 7:18 am

  We bought the car used with 27k miles, 5 years ago. The gas mileage is impressive, 25 mpg around town and 30+ on the highway, exceptional for the ride and comfort this model offers. I had to replace front wheel bearings, rear shocks (optional), and both rear window motors, not good but not terrible. I would by it again. Fine car that cleans up well.

• 

  This Aint Your Grand Pas Buick - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By j graham - November 25 - 10:40 pm

  I was a little unsure going from a Lexus RX 300, but now I can tell you I have surely traded up! It felt a little big at first, but I have come to love the looks, driveablity and functionality. It has plenty of power. I got very concerned during the high gas prices recently, but my mileage has actually improved. I have put on 10000 miles in 5 months. I get about 19 in my combo city/interstate work commute driving and about 27, yes 27 on the open highway. Also recently during the hurricane damage and recovery it has come in very handy making trips to Lowes and Home Depot. We got it fully loaded with AWD. We love all the features - lots of luxury and a sport drive.

• 

  Buy American - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By John - November 25 - 8:30 pm

  Bought the Lacrosse for my wife. Car handles even nicer than a Cad. CTS! Fun to drive and very comfortable. I have owned Buicks for 30 years and have had only a few problems. Dont believe all the neagativity about American cars. Research and test them for yourself. Had one slight problem with the navigation. Buick called me personally to see if the dealer repaired the problem. They more than proved to me they care!

• 

  The best car to own (my first car) - 1990 Buick Skylark
  By Gabe - November 24 - 9:55 pm

  Built tough, ran great, got some major work done on it, but if basic car maintenance is done than it will run great. No problems until it decided to be 19 years old and call it quits. Great car until then.

• 

  Really Decent car - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Nick Warhead - November 24 - 11:39 am

  I bought the car for $1750 at 164,000 miles. The car still runs great and is reliable. I had to replace the radiator and the upper control rod bushing. It has an oil leak probably coming from the top end. Other then that, the car always starts and drives, and has not given me any trouble. Ive had a lot of cars that couldnt get past the 130K mark without blowing up. I feel if taken care of, I could get at 75,000 more miles on this car.

• 

  A keeper - 1990 Buick Riviera
  By HarryP - November 23 - 4:26 pm

  Big, safe, powerful, smooth. This car gets about 26 mpg on the highway, yet has decent pickup and a high top speed. The center console is all digital and touch screen (factory), letting you know everything that is going on. Its had transmission issues, but its easy and cheap to find a replacement at the junk yard with decent mileage on it, being that the transmission goes in about 7 or 8 different GM models. Also, watch your speed in this car, I catch myself doing over 80 and it feels like most other cars do at 55.

• 

  Regal is a great deal if well maintained - 2000 Buick Regal
  By Syd - November 23 - 5:59 am

  This is my second Buick with the push rod 3.8. Good power and decent fuel economy. Buicks always feel more substantial than most Chevys and Pontiacs. These cars are a good used buy if you can buy from a caring original owner.

• 

  Way to go GM! A great luxurious ride. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Dan - November 20 - 3:16 pm

  Wanting to replace my Escalade, I looked at Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, & Mazdas. I then found the GM Lamda platform of which Traverse caught my eye first. I then drove the Outlook and Acadia but after I drove the Enclave I knew! It had such an incredibly smooth, quiet ride with technology only found in more expensive vechiles. After I get over the shock that I am driving a Buick (it looks so damn good for a Buick!), all else has been a fantastic experience for me. This platform should help Americians look at buying a great product from their own country again.