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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  Buick Enclave Owners Report - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Tuckermech - October 3 - 5:23 am

  Have had my Enclave 1 month and have 600 miles on it. No problems, love it however I purchased the rear shade and dont see that it is worth the price.

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  West C - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Meatloaf - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has a very smooth ride along with comfortable seating. The third row seat is great. I have bucket/captain chair seating in all three rows. It looks luxurious throughout with the leather. I dont see any "cheap" looking materials, as I have read elsewhere. And it is peppy also. All I need now is a roof rack/pack for the suitcases. I a am looking forward to a trip with this beaut! Oh, and lest I forget, my wife can pour out the heat on Her side while I stay cool, hopefully, on my side with the dual controls for heat/cooling.

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  Good car - 2001 Buick Regal
  By RTS - October 2 - 6:22 pm

  I bought the car at 120,000 miles and it now has 166,000. Very nice car. Two minor issues: 1) the right rear window hasnt rolled down in two years. The fuel gauge quit at 135,000 miles buy the DIC shows the fuel economy and the trip odometer works so I havent bothered to get it fixed. Otherwise nothing but rutine maintenance for 166,000 miles. Comfortable car which get >30 MPG at 70+ on the freeway. Overall I have gotten 22.7 MPG for the last 45,000 miles with mostly city type miles.

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  Glad I waited for an 09 - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By FB3 - October 1 - 4:04 pm

  Performance: Much better than last years anemic engine, but still doesnt have the nice low end torque of a V8. Glad I waited for an 09. Comfort: Front headrest not tilt adjustable. I think this was a new safety law. Second row seats quite small and minimum leg room. Fuel economy: So far very good for a vehicle of this size. Interior design: Nice except for the cheap semi-see through sun roof interior shades and small cramped second row seats. Build quality: Very good. As good as my 2008 Infinity M35. Very tight. Reliability: Too soon to know, but I have had excellent experiences with GM vehicles over the years and dont expect anything bad from this one.

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  Too costly to repair! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By 2002 Rendezvous - October 1 - 11:38 am

  I bought my Buick used with 17,000 miles on it. I have had all the bearings replaced. And the air conditioner condenser replaced twice in two years. The brakes do not last and other stuff I cant remember. The glove compartment hinge broke and they wanted the whole glove box replaced. The windshield fluid freezes up when it gets below zero even though I used special winter fluid. Now the service engine light is on and it wont pass the EPA check, so I have to trade it or buy a new sensor at $400 +. My next car will be a Toyota, Honda or some other reliable car that my friends rave about. I can no longer afford to "buy American" Are you listening, GM?

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  Great mid-sized SUV - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Richard - October 1 - 11:02 am

  Really like this vehicle. Its super quiet and smooth riding. Has a classy look to the exterior and the interior is quite comfortable. Absolutely no problems in a little over 33,000 miles. Gas mileage over the long run is 18.2 mpg in 95% city driving - very few freeway miles. Not bad for the size and comfort of this vehicle. Back seat passengers dont have much legroom, but its not designed to be a full-size SUV. Cupholders are a little quirky, but only a minor concern.

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  Great car, reliable - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Jigs Jorgensen - September 29 - 10:57 am

  Going on 116,000 miles! Powerful engine, smooth riding just like a Cadillac. Shines like new still! Seat are not that comfortable, coils are shot, feels like I am sitting in a hole! Great sound system. Showing very minor lower body rust.

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  Lexus at a Toyota price - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By joe - September 28 - 3:29 pm

  Love my car. Rides smooth and is very quiet. Classy looking interior for the price.

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  2005 Buick Lesabre Limited. - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By audrey - September 28 - 12:49 pm

  I am a loyal Buick driver. Have had Buicks for many years but really love this 2005 LeSabre Limited. Really gets good mileage, 33 mpg on hwy for such a comfortable car. People are disappointed in the Lucernes with the mileage compared to the LaSabre. I would tell people to pay the extra money and get a Limited.

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  COMFORT - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By PAPAS - September 27 - 10:00 am

  - THE ONLY REASON I PURCHASED THE VEH. IS BECAUSE OF THE COMFORT AND SPACIOUS ROOM. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT 200MILES (SELONOID)