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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  Reliable adult basic transportation - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Pat - December 2 - 1:57 pm

  Purchased used with 68K and now have 93K miles. This is a great inexpensive family car that gets great gas mileage for its size. Ive come to repect Buick as a valued brand name as I age. If you are looking for an inexpensive used car... I recommend a car like this... the only problem is that your kids will not want to drive or inherit it. I have replaced the spark plug wires, the front/rear shocks, and the signal flasher unit. confortable vehicle for long highway trips. 3.1L engine reliable although starting to consume a small amount of oil.

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  Better than Lexus - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Adrian - December 1 - 7:09 pm

  Having looked at all models in this price range I selected the Rainier and dont regret it at all. Quieter ride than Lexus and other competitors and the finish is superb. Mileage was as expected - average 19 overall.

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  Tiger in sheeps clothing - 1997 Buick Regal
  By Art - November 25 - 4:29 am

  Bought this car for my high school- bound son. We test drove it and he immediately asked me to buy it for him. Good student, good grades etc.. so I purchased the vehicle. Fast and comfortable, his friends are now wanting to purchase one. Wish I had purchased for myself and wife as she prefers to drive it more than her 2005 GTO, says it is more roomy and comfortable.

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  06 Buick Terraza Highly Recommended - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Dave A - November 22 - 3:19 pm

  Weve only had this van for about a month now but so far everything has been excellent. Fit and finish and general interior quality is excellent. Radio/CD and DVD Player are excellent easy to operate and sound great, right power door is outstanding, left standard door is very hard to close. Seats are very comfortable and can be adjusted 8 ways. Dual heating controls at front and addnl heating at back are fantastic. We opted for the new 3.9L V6 engine, exc pickup and still better mileage than our previous 03 Rendezvous, will be great for towing if I get that boat next year.

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  The awesomest car - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Lauren Ravds - November 21 - 9:16 pm

  It is the best car yet. All of my family can fit in it. It is great to have 3 row seats for more foot space. It is great that it has such good handling and the backing up beep and meter is great. I love Enclaves!

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  Gorphil - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Gorphil - November 21 - 4:07 pm

  Excellent car! No trouble and a pleasure to drive. Sold as Allure in Canada.

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  Replaced My Rendevous - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Ty K - November 18 - 11:46 am

  I purchased a 2004 Rendevous and this 2006 Rainier replaced it. I missed a couple of features from the Rendevous. There is no parking assist and it does not customize the radio and seat settings on the key fob like the Rendevous. It does have curb view on the rear view mirror, but the mirrors are smaller than the Rendevous. The Rainier feels more stable on the road than the Rendevous and is quieter. I am getting better mileage than with my old Rendevous.

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  3rd one in the Family - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Buckeyes1 - November 17 - 5:16 pm

  I was very aware of this vehicle when I began looking for a smaller better MPG SUV for my expanding family. My father and sister had both purchased an 05 and both loved it. I personally did not want to buy the same thing and looked at every other option possible. When the red tag sale started for GM I went pricing out the Equinox, Torrent, Vue, a Liberty, and some foreign SUVs. After all of this I told my Pontiac sales rep jokingly that if the deal was good enough I would consider an Rendezvous. He came back and said we may have what you are looking for. My wife drove it and loved it instantly compared to the others.Long story short we now have three in the family and got the most for our money

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  Too good to believe - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By jack - November 17 - 6:43 am

  Bought new and have been happy with this model from the gitgo! Acceleration, even today with 147,800 miles on er is truly amazing. Still get 30-31 mpg on hwy and 22 city at resonable speeds. Can burn all grades of fuel even though they specify premium for supercharge. If they wre still made, wed buy another even at the higher price of gas. If comfort is your desire this ride cant be beat either coss country (12 to 20 hrs. At a stretch) or stop and go city snarls. Style is still as good today as it was when first introduced. Too good to believe, ya, thats right, it is.

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  Noble Knight - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Ketch - November 17 - 3:17 am

  Everyone should know by now what a sleeper of a car this is. The power was awesome, the elongated leather seats were the best on my back although some extra side of seat firmness would have helped. The engine was flawless until about 90k when the supercharger pully bearing started to fail...otherwise, it was perfectly reliable. The only complaint is that the front-end was a little long and tended to scrape on declining-to- street entries. Mine is gone now - the victim of a side impact directly on the B-pillar from a Dodge 2500 truck. I miss the car but most importantly, it was built well enough to save my girlfriends life. Easily, best in its class - it was just never properly promoted.